The Braseltons » Kidney Stone

War stories

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:04:18 +0000

They are all sitting around talking war (surgical) stories and such. The discussions range from medicines to what extra metal parts they have installed. I feel so left out since I have no input on the subject matter .

Run run run

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:03:43 +0000

Run and run this morning. Got her a McMuffin as requested with hash brown and a milk. I got in the room and they told me to pull the car around front. Pow! That’s it! We are home ALREADY!
Tammy got a warm welcome from the puppies! Tammy’s parents just walked in the door and got the same welcome. It’s like we have been gone for years! Kids are great!

She had a long night

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:48:07 +0000

I got up about twenty minutes ago. I checked my text messages and she wrote about 04:40. She said that the brought her a pudding. She said that the IV was causing her to urinate about every hour. Not only is it trouble getting up but she explained that it was quite painful also. I can imagine that she was not treated as royally as she was in Labor and Delivery.
She should be released today. I think I will be amazed when she is as I can imagine I will see her running to the car to get home!

I am home at last!

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 03:20:07 +0000

Tammy is doing well so the Howers and I came home. Tammy’s mom left her cell phone there in case she needed anything. Oh, Tammy texted me just a few minutes ago that the nurse finally brought peanutbutter and crackers.
I am home and having a Warstiener beer! Then bed!

I got sick of waiting for Tammy’s food

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 02:11:14 +0000

They have been promising food since she got out. Tammy’s mother brought some 100 calorie packs. They were holding Tammy over for a couple of minutes but it was not a MEAL! I got sick of waiting and went down to the vending machine. I picked out this ramen style, chicken noodle soup. The nurse has still to appear with food. It is 21:06 and she has been done since 18:15! Her last meal was at 07:00 this morning. Sheesh! So, the soup was a hit. I think it hit her spot and was a good suprise.

Not the same experience

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:40:58 +0000

Well, she is not in L&D this time. She is in the normal section. She is sharing the room with another lady who seems to be in pretty bad pain. We are kind of loud and happy. The neighbor seems miserable. We don’t even know who Tammy’s nurse is. There is not the same level of care on this floor. Not yet, anyway. I’m optimistic in that it will get better. I don’t think that we will be allowed to stay as late this time. It is a bit chaotic.

Ok. A shot to die for. :)

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:20:34 +0000

She is gonna kill me but check out her cool cap. Man, I’m gonna have to field calls from all of the modeling agencies to put this picture on a magazine!

Ice chip feast

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:20:33 +0000

She is pigging out on ice chips now. She whined a little for ‘em bit not that bad. Still excited that it is removed.

She looks great!

Tom — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:05:45 +0000

She is really excited about watching the whole surgery on the monitor. She was able to feel “ticking” while it was getting zapped. I have to go look for ice chips.

Hey. A request.

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:18:53 +0000

So, everyone reading this, do me a favor. Send Tammy an email! Her address is tammy@ tammyandtom (dot) com.
She will be happy to hear all of the well wishes!

She is done!

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:13:31 +0000

Everything went well! We should be able to see her in about an hour. She did get another stent put in. It should be removed Monday. Apparently she watched the whole thing! Crazy!

And she is off!

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:06:41 +0000

Ok, they wheeled her away. She was in good spirits and in a couple of hours can munch on some ice chips and gulp down some water.

Happy kids

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:48:53 +0000

Don’t they look excited? They are ready for the show to begin! Maybe just for it to be over.

More drugs

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 21:01:16 +0000

She just got some Zantac and Regglin. I don’t know if I spelled that correctly. It is for nausea and heartburn.
The anastesiologist already came and chatted with her. All is go. Waiting on the surgeon.

This hospital rocks!

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:27:00 +0000

There were three nurses fighting to work on the pregnant girl. Every one of them is super nice. The nurse that inserted the IV numbed the area before inserting the needle. We all had a wonderful conversation with the nurse and she answered all of our questions. They really make it nice and you forget about the unpleasant events that are about to happen.
While checking in here in the back, they asked Tammy if she would allow vendors to observe. Tammy responded “hell no!” and the lady was taken back. So basically they want a salesman to watch as my wife gets unpleasant objects inserted in her under-parts. Needless to say, she declined.

Fancy outfit

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:54:50 +0000

She is already outfitted. It is a cool suit that has holes that they pump warm air in. She has cool socks too!

Wow! They sucked her up!

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:38:26 +0000

They have us in the back already and they are getting her ready. It is still scheduled for later but they are getting prepped right now. Zoom!

Almost forgot about the outfit for Lightning!

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:37:20 +0000

She wanted Cracker Barrel for her last meal at 07:00. As we were leaving, I saw this onesie and booties. I HAD to get them. The Horns are gender neutral!

At the hospital waiting

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:37:19 +0000

I dropped Tammy off at the front and parked the truck. Now we hurry up and wait. It is scheduled for 16:30 but if anything opens up, they will take her. They just called her and we are registering currently. She is sore and holding her abdoman ad walking is painful. She is taking it pretty good but you can tell it hurts.

On way to hospital again soon

Tom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:11:06 +0000

We are getting ready to go to the hospital again to have the stone removed. Her current stent is painful and I hope her new one will be better. I will be updating along the way.

Still sicko

Tom — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 19:58:53 +0000

She is having trouble with the medicine. It makes one part feel better but then makes her sick. So, she has been in the fetal position most of the day.

Tammy is resting

Tom — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:59:19 +0000

She is getting much needed rest.

At home now

Tom — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 02:02:55 +0000

She is in bed at home! She feels like “poop”. That is her description. It seems that Hydrocodone does note work as well as her normal diet of morphine. She is eating and trying not to get nausous.

Home for a bit

Tom — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:26:04 +0000

I am home for the night. The poor dogs are really missing the normal schedule. I am getting up in the morning and going in to work as I have some things to get done. Tammy’s parents are going to visit with her during the day.
She is doing much better than before. She is not looking forward to having this done again soon.

Had a special visitor!!!

Tom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:04:59 +0000

Yay! We had a special visitor today! My niece came to visit and see how Tammy was doing and if there was something she could do. She is the greatest! I love my Nicole!

Not numb anymore

Tom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 20:13:33 +0000

Tammy has regained feeling in her legs. Her catheter is somewhat irritating her. She is beyond sleepy but we won’t let her sleep.
Lightning is doing great. His heartrate is in the 160s.
Tammy got flowers from her parents this morning. She also got a nice arrangement from her job! That’s pretty cool, if ya ask me!

Our first encounter post-operation

Tom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:25:48 +0000

She is doing well and feeling no pain. Ask me on a couple of hours if this is still true…

Minimally Invasive Kidney and Ureteral Stone Surgery

Tom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 15:27:47 +0000

This is what Tammy was supposed to have done. She will have this in about a week.
Check out this video on YouTube:

It is over.. For today.

Tom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:42:43 +0000

Well, there was an infection in her kidney. They are going to to give her antibiotics for a week to ten days. Today, they inserted a stint to allow proper operation of her organs. This means that she will require additional surgery to remove the stone once the infection is under control. He said that she is fine and will remain under observation for an hour. We will then be allowed to see her.

Right on time

Tom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 13:47:33 +0000

She went in right on time.
Doctor explained that if there is an infection, a stint will be placed for a week and then surgery again. The chance is there but plans are to zap the stone with the laser today. Should see the doctor again in about 30 minutes.