Recovery

Dear friends and family,

This has been a tough, and at points scary, recovery from the surgery.  The surgical team operated longer than they first expected due to complexities with the nerves in Marisa's neck.  She has had difficulty with her breathing and both vocal cords at this point are paralyzed.  The paralysis and swelling in her airway made breathing difficult and she was admitted to the ICU last night.  She has had moments when it is hard for her to get enough air and she was wheezing most of the time through the night.  Marisa had a Nurse Practitioner, RN, and a Nurse Anesthetist working on and observing her full time during this nine hour timeframe before being admitted.  Throughout this entire time, just prior to being admitted, there were at least two of these staffers sitting with us by her bedside at all times.  Of course, there were several visiting doctors throughout the night trying to get a handle on her breathing issue.

Today...

The surgeon was so satisfied with the progress in Marisa's breathing and physical movement that he believes Marisa's vocal cords, nerves, and ability to breath will eventually make a full recovery.  That is very good news as this was not known yesterday.  However, they are keeping her for an additional night in ICU since she still has stridor (breathing) when exerting herself in any sort of physical activity.  

Pain relief has also been better than yesterday but still not great.  Yesterday the medical team had to reverse her anesthesia in order to get a handle on her breathing troubles.  She had to tolerate a lot of pain.  Today she is able to have more pain control at a low dose.  Fortunately, she has been sleeping quite a bit since the surgery which has helped her tolerate the pain. 

This afternoon the nurses were able to get Marisa out of bed to a chair and even at one point take a walk around the ICU loop.  That seemed incredible to me after seeing her in the condition she was in just this morning.  That walk was challenging for her at times but she did it successfully!  

Also, today Marisa began working with an occupational therapist to help regain range of motion on the left side of her body.  This made her sore but it will be helpful.  Additionally, a speech therapist is helping her regain her ability to safely swallow especially with her vocal folds still open.  

Her calcium levels are low but satisfactory for now.  The medical team is repeatedly sticking Marisa throughout the day to draw blood to observe her calcium levels.  

I am inspired as I watch Marisa walk through all of this.  

Bottom line...

The surgeon is confident that he removed all known suspicious nodes along with the thyroid itself. He thinks that Marisa's remaining parathyroid glands will eventually produce enough calcium for her.  Also, the left jugular vein was able to remain intact.  Some doctors originally thoughts the surgeon would likely remove it along with one of the nodes.

She has improved but the situation is still fragile.  Thank you for your prayers and thoughts!  We are experiencing the benefits of your support.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

~ Romans 12.12

Sincerely,

Matt (& Marisa)