This will be a short update...Sarah has been comfortable over night thanks to not eating anything but sips of clear liquids and to the wonders of good pain medications. She would have had a more fully restful night, but at 1 AM she and Seddon were awakened so that an attempt to withdraw fluid from her swollen right knee joint could be made. Septic (or infected) joints are one of the serious complications of endocarditis (if the heart infection weren't serious enough by itself), and this can occur days to even a week or more after the diagnosis of endocarditis. She had had an xray of her knee in the late evening, which left the orthopedic team with at least the suspicion of a joint infection. That led to the necessity of obtaining a sample of fluid from her knee to examine for bacteria. Unfortunate timing, but important endeavor - with a good outcome since no evidence of infection was found.
Sarah was scheduled to have the endoscopy (scope inserted down the esophagus into her stomach to look around) to examine her esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine this morning and had to go without anything by mouth after midnight. However, this morning we learned that the procedure would not occur until 11 AM, and then, a little later, we were told that her case had been bumped to 4 PM. The good part of nothing by mouth is that there is nothing to stimulate retching and reflux, the bad part is that Sarah is terribly hungry (which also has a good part in that she has her appetite back). More nesting Russian dolls, I guess.
Overall, except for looking a little gaunt, Sarah continues to recover well from her multiple surgeries and from the main infection. She is slowly regaining some strength, and had the stamina (more than I did) for a complete game of Scrabble this morning. She was also pleased to receive by FedEx today, the book of her essays that her brother, Reed, and his girlfriend, Lucy, had arranged to be published as a Christmas present. The Selected Essays of Sarah Savage Cooley. Some of you may be privileged, if you are authors yourselves (and a member of her Authors List), to have access to Sarah's essays on Facebook, but it is an exclusive group I'm afraid that includes her author cousin and her English major brother, but not her parents.
Overall, a better day so far than yesterday. Her knee is not proving to be a serious matter, her right eye is improving with eye drops, and we are hopeful for answers and specific treatment for her gastrointestinal problem after her endoscopy this afternoon. More later...
Sarah was scheduled to have the endoscopy (scope inserted down the esophagus into her stomach to look around) to examine her esophagus, stomach, and upper small intestine this morning and had to go without anything by mouth after midnight. However, this morning we learned that the procedure would not occur until 11 AM, and then, a little later, we were told that her case had been bumped to 4 PM. The good part of nothing by mouth is that there is nothing to stimulate retching and reflux, the bad part is that Sarah is terribly hungry (which also has a good part in that she has her appetite back). More nesting Russian dolls, I guess.
Overall, except for looking a little gaunt, Sarah continues to recover well from her multiple surgeries and from the main infection. She is slowly regaining some strength, and had the stamina (more than I did) for a complete game of Scrabble this morning. She was also pleased to receive by FedEx today, the book of her essays that her brother, Reed, and his girlfriend, Lucy, had arranged to be published as a Christmas present. The Selected Essays of Sarah Savage Cooley. Some of you may be privileged, if you are authors yourselves (and a member of her Authors List), to have access to Sarah's essays on Facebook, but it is an exclusive group I'm afraid that includes her author cousin and her English major brother, but not her parents.
Overall, a better day so far than yesterday. Her knee is not proving to be a serious matter, her right eye is improving with eye drops, and we are hopeful for answers and specific treatment for her gastrointestinal problem after her endoscopy this afternoon. More later...
Hi Sarah:
ReplyDeleteI am Caitie McConnell's Mom. She was a member of the Rainbow Girls, with Brande G., when you all were in high school. I am also a teacher at Kearsarge and I remember reading some of your poetry when you were a student here. I am so pleased to hear that you have continued writing. You are one spunky young lady! You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. My son, Charlie and I spent some time with a neighbor of yours, Jason at Children's hospital a couple of years ago when he had open heart surgery. He is writing a book about his experience. He works in the medical field now. Please take care and get well quickly. PS Your pictures are gorgeous. Mrs. MacLean still has the one with the dolphin on her bulletin board in the nurse's office. Fondly, Mrs. McConnell-Grade 11/12 Special Educator-KRHS
Hello, Sarah-
ReplyDeleteWe have never met but I have worked with your Dad for several years, and I want to add my very best wishes for your steady return to health.
It sounds like you have shown so much courage and determination during this hospitalization. Your spunk has served you well! I hope you continue to feel better and stronger.
After reading these entries, I can tell you that I look forward to continuing to work with your Dad but you can be sure I will NOT be asking him to give any talks or presentations on the species of stuffed animals!
Wishing you well
An admirer-Carole Lannon