Second year Day 69 - Wednesday February 20, 2013

It was a long night at the hospital.  They gave Stephany an IV all night, which resulted in her having to get up to go to the bathroom about every 90 minutes or so.  Then I had to remove her oxygen, unhook the blood pressure cuff, remove the leg squeezers, and take the IV with us to the bathroom; afterwards, hooking everything back up.  It made for little or no sleep for both of us.  In the morning they removed the blood pressure cuff and then stopped the IV, although they left the port in.  This made the whole process of getting up much easier.  By afternoon we were able to get rid of the oxygen as well.  Stephany was able to get up and walk in the hallways.  Straight down the hall was the gift shop (we were on the first floor) and so we walked there about five times.  I told Stephany she could get a souvenir of her stay, but she never did really seem too keen on that:)  I stayed at the hospital with Stephany all day until she was released about 6:00, with the exception of 30 minutes during the afternoon when Mark came by with helium balloons and stayed with her so that I could run and get the flash drive ready for Justin, and to drop it off.  Dr. Rogers was very attentive to Stephany and I felt that we received excellent care.  We left with instructions to walk often and elevate her feet when she sits (both things so that she doesn't get blood clots).  We are to see him in two weeks for a follow-up.  We asked him about travelling next week, as we have appointments for Bridgett in Utah, and he advised us not to go.  Mark even talked to him about breaking the trip into halves, and walking every hour or two.  He just said, if you choose to ignore my advice....  Well, we don't want to ignore whatever is best for Stephany! It's just hard, because what is best for Stephany is not the best for Bridgett.  Perhaps we can just go late and miss some of the appointments.  Dr. Faith will only be in Utah for that 10 days, then back to her Colorado clinic.  She said we could see her there, but that would mean flying to Colorado.  Hummm.....we will have to think the whole thing through.  Of course, Stephany doesn't want me to leave her here with Mark and go.  Girls want their mom after surgery!  And Mark can't just stay home from work the entire time either.  Well....we'll work it out!  Right now Stephany can't even think about travelling at all because she feels slammed!