48 Hours Post Surgery

Parker continues to recover with relatively few complications. Yesterday his white cell count was a little high, which of course brings back scary memories. But after the extensive surgery he went through that is to be expected. I hope.

This morning he walked as far as the bathroom before he had to lay back down. The pain is manageable until he starts moving around. Dr. Turner, the plastic/reconstructive surgeon, yesterday explained what he did to rebuild the abdominal wall.

Dr. Garcia first removed the mesh that was holding Parker's abdomen together under the skin graft. Then Dr. Turner peeled back the layers of his body: skin, flesh, fascia, etc. He took the six-pack muscles which were located off to Parker's side (because of the large opening in his abdomen) and sliced them in half horizontally, sliding one section over in front of his abdomen and stitching them together side by side. Then the two surgeons sewed in mesh made from pig and human cadaver dermis for added strength, pulled everything back in the front and sewed it all back in place with staples on the outside. Now instead of looking like he has an angry red basketball on his belly it looks like he has a zipper all the way up.

We had some visitors from IMC this morning, Amy, Lindsay and Alan. It was great to see them and it made Parker's day.

Dr. Turner said yesterday if the MRSA was going to cause any problems (it is a very "opportunistic" bacteria) it would be about five days before we knew. Which is Sunday. If we can make it past Sunday without an infection the odds are much greater he will pass through this final procedure with the ease he deserves. He has been through so much.

Quinn the Medicine Dog is very happy when I get home each night. I take her out to the bathroom but she drags me over to Parker's car first, looking for him. She is a really smart dog because ~ and I swear this is true ~ when I say, "Parker's okay. Parker will be right back," she calms down immediately. Okay laugh if you want, but she knows his name because when she brings me the toy and I say, "Give it to Parker," she runs right to him. Even if there are 3 or 4 people in the room. The dog is a genius, I tell you.

Parker is going to walk again at 4:pm and hopes to be able to get the catheter out today. He hates that thing. Can't say I blame him. Next the automatic delivery of Lydicain to the wound area will be discontinued (and the doctor assures him he will know when it has run out because he will feel it), and eventually he needs to be able to control his pain with pills only, before he can go home. He has two drains on either side of his body that are keeping the fluid from building up under his skin, and those are putting out less and less every hour. Today they had to take out one of the IV's from his hand because it was starting to swell. Not sure why, but I am glad they took it out.

Will keep you posted. Please continue to keep Parker in your prayers, as well as James who will be making the trip back down here soon.