Sunday, May 9, 2010

Day 709 - May 8, 2010

We had a better than average day today. Kevin felt good most of the day, enabling me to spend quite some time in the kitchen. I just cooked all day and loved it. Even better, Mary came over for dinner so we even had company and Kev did fantastic with that - only going to his room during dinner (which is normal). To be honest, that pretty much sums up our day.

Anita - you asked when the plate would be reinserted and if it's a sure bet for eliminating the pain and the answers follow. I believe the skin expanders will be inserted in the beginning of June and they need to be in at least 2 months. Assuming there are no infections/complications - the plate should be put back in in roughly Aug/Sept. I should say that there are no guarantees of it taking the pain away, but it definitely removed all of the issues with him being in pain just by getting up the last time. We were at the point where we could go out and about for hours at a time - even going to the Atreyu concert last fall - without any real issues. That's not to say that Kevin lived pain free - he definitely always has had pain, but I am hoping that the day comes where he is pain free. It's probably my fondest wish for him.

Even Kevin is anxiously awaiting the plate being reinserted. He asks every other day or so 'how long?'. He knows that it really is a quality of life changing event and can't wait himself.

On a side note - we are working on taking him off the methadone. We are down to 2 pills a day now instead of the 4 1/2 he was on when we came home from the hospital. It sounds crazy to take him off of pain killers when he is in so much pain, but I'm not sure they are making any kind of difference. It really does appear to be an up/down issue and when we have taken him off the other 2 1/2 pills (slowly done) it has made no difference to the amount of other pain meds he takes. It is such a goal of mine to get him off all this crap.

We also took him off of one of his nausea medications when we got home and oddly enough - he hasn't been nauseous hardly at all and even stranger - he doesn't need the house to be frigid any longer. Yahoo! I was freezing all the time because he wanted it to be 65 degrees. Now it's a nice 72-75, depending on the day.

And now I want to wish all of the mothers out there - Happy Mother's Day!!! Tomorrow I am stuffing a turkey and having a big meal with Kevin, Breezy, Breezy's boyfriend and he also brought another soldier with him for the weekend so it's going to be a nice 'family' dinner. I so hope Kevin can handle it - at least for tomorrow...

18 comments:

karen said...

Happy Mother's Day, Leslie. Kevin and Breezy are lucky to have such a strong mom! As a more recent mom (though I think we are of similar ages?), I am lucky to have found your blog and am inspired by your actions. I hope you get some time this week what with that cool tatoo'd caregiver coming by.

I was talking to a friend about headaches and migraines today and we were comparing notes about painkillers and experiences and things we had read ...

I have read a few times (once recently) that painkillers can actually eventually become a part of a problem -- your body starts to "like" the med, and so it makes the pain to get the med. While I have no doubt that Kevin legitimately needs relief from the pain that stems from obvious sources, I really commend you for your perseverance in finding the best way forward for your son.

My friend was saying that he'd taken 222's (codeine) for headaches since he was a teen because that's how his dad treated his. This friend is now in his 50s. His doctor recently explained the phenomenon I mentioned above, so he gave the drug a break, and his headaches have subsided considerably.

Again, I have no knowledge or expertise about Kevin, so please do not read advice-giving in what I am writing ... just support and comparing notes.

I get terrible headaches with barometric (esp. cloudy to sunny) changes, and sometimes don't want to breathe for days at a time as a result. Meds (the over-the-counter-kids) do not work all for them. I have complete sympathy for what Kevin must go through, it sounds unbearable and yet he bears it.

All the best,

karen

Long-time RN said...

Have a great Mother's Day!

Paul Pomeroy said...

Wishing you a very happy Mother's Day, Leslie.

GrannieEv said...

Happy Mother's Day, Leslie. My Army son, his wife Shannon and twin 7 mo old grandsons are coming home from Singapore where they've been stationed for 4 yrs on Thurs. What a gr8 present, right! My AF son, his wife and 3 yr old son are stationed on the East Coast now. First time we've all been together in 9 yrs. My paramedic daughter and son live right down the road! Do you get the theme of grandsons. I treasure them. The Army son flies a chinook and will be deployed again but we'll handle that when it happens.

God bless us, everyone!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY LESLIE....KEVIN IS BLESSED TO HAVE YOU AS IS BREEZY...YOU ARE THE TRUE EXAMPLE OF A 'MOTHER'...GOD BLESS YOU...

Anonymous said...

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.......ALL THE BEST TO YOU AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY TODAY AND ALWAYS

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day to you, Leslie!
A.

Anonymous said...

I hope your time around the table is a blessed one for you Leslie, and for your family and the soldiers. Enjoy your day.....

Hugs,
Anita

Linda said...

Happy Mothers Day to you to Leslie! God knows, you sure deserve it! Am glad to hear Kevin is doing better for the most part! Enjoy your day!

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day, Leslie. You are the kind of Mom we all strive to be. I hope your day is peaceful. As always, we continue to pray for all of you.
Melissa Ion

Miss Em said...

Leslie,

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY.

May the day give you the enjoyment that every Mother looks forward to in her life time.

{Bet there won't be any left overs...Kevin, Breezy and two soldiers... ;D }

Miss Em
Austell, Ga.

janet said...

Hoping your Mother's Day dinner goes well. May Kevin have one of his best days today for you.
Happy Mother's Day!

Anonymous said...

Thinking of you and wishing you a wonderful Mother's Day

Lisa D in Cali

Cathy M said...

Happy Mom's Day and have a wonderful, wonderful dinner. Moms rock!

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day Leslie! :)
Kathy in IA

Tracey from Pgh. said...

Leslie,

I hope you had a great Mother's Day! Someone above mentioned about you being a "true example of a mother." How true it is! I pray that God continues to give you strength.

I hope you have a good week!

Anonymous said...

Happy Mother's Day Leslie!

You are truly an inspiration. I consider you a genuine hero--you solider on day after day, doing whatever it takes. Kevin is blessed that you have his back and Breezy is blessed to have you as an example. I hope your day was great, you deserve it. You certainly have my vote for "Mother of the Year(s). God bless!

mamaworecombatboots

Jessica said...

Happy Mother's Day, Leslie! I hope you and Kevin had a good day. Turkey and stuffing sounds great!

I'm glad that at least Kevin understands that there is light at the end of the tunnel, that he will feel better eventually. (Although those skin expanders don't sound like fun.) I'm also praying for the day that he's free from pain.

You guys are in my thoughts and prayers. Take care and God bless you!