Just got home from another visit to the penthouse suite at MGH. Barbara is hangin' in there but still having some pain issues. Now, after having your stomach removed, one would understand a certain amount of pain but Barbara's biggest complaint is the pain in her throat not in her stomach. During surgery it is common to be on a breathing tube. After you wake up you usually start eating ice chips or sipping water right away so most people have a slight sore throat that goes away quickly. In Barbara's case she is not allowed to have fluids right away plus she has an NG Tube that is irritating her throat too. Both of these factors are contributing to the pain. Luckily, when we were leaving tonight, the nurse had just been cleared to bring Barbara a throat spray and some lozenges that should help. Barbara met with her surgeon today and the surgeon agreed that as long as no fever arises they will remove the tube on Thursday. I pity the fever that gets in the way of taking that tube out. There will be one pissed of patient in the penthouse suite!
Your Guest Blogger,
Kelli G.
