Discharge planning

steved

Thought I would update people on my progress. Am now a month postop from the hemipelvectomy and pelvic clearance for the recurrence of rectal cancer. Am now at the point where I am planing for discharge on Monday. Attended my discharge planning meeting today and is all coming together well. Am getting pretty mobile on crutches though sitting remains a challenge due to pain and balance. Can do an hour in the wheelchair now though which is an improvement. Managing my colostomy and urostomy okay enough to feel confident can cope with them at home. Follow up will include initially coming back by ambulance twice a week for physio as well as stoma care with nurses coming in at home to do wound dressing. Leg wound a little problematic and requiring vacuum dressing so still attached to a pump for that which is a pain but hope will only be a couple more weeks of that.

Overall considering they said I would be in hospital for between 4 and 40 weeks am pleased with progress(vagueness of plan simply reflected their never having done this and risk of complications- in denmark where they had Boone twelve of these average stay was three months but many were old patients). A little anxious about the transition but that has been eased by the high level of planning and coordination that has gone into my care- even met a hospital manager and finance person yesterday who wanted to meet the patient behind all their meetings. Stair lift and wet room almost done at home and ramp for front door being finished this weekend.

All in all going well and just hope continues in this vein. Long recovery to do yet but will be pleased to be back in own surroundings.

Thanks for all the up port and messages which have helped through this time,

Steve

Lovekitties

Dear Steve
So very glad to hear that you will be able to head home soon. While I am certain that you have gotten excellent care at the hospital, there is nothing like being in your own home and surrounded by family.

Your progress is truely amazing, may it continue to get better and better.

My prayers and love to you and the family as you make this next transition.

Hugs,

Marie who loves kitties

maglets

Lovekitties said:

Dear Steve
So very glad to hear that you will be able to head home soon. While I am certain that you have gotten excellent care at the hospital, there is nothing like being in your own home and surrounded by family.

Your progress is truely amazing, may it continue to get better and better.

My prayers and love to you and the family as you make this next transition.

Hugs,

Marie who loves kitties

dearest Steve
what a wonderful post to wake up to. Marie is right, there is nothing like getting home. You just settle in there with a great big blanket, your kids and Kelly.

One month! that is amazing...thought you would be in hospital until Christmas....good work. I have to tell you now dear Steve i remember that weekend and nights before your surgery...hahah some sleepless nights on this forum as we held our breath waiting to hear
from you...

it is very very difficult to imagine your surgery. I think of the profound weariness I felt after a liver resection....I try to multiply that surgery and morph it into your situation but i know I can never really grasp your pain and fatigue.

Sending you home with very best wishes and love ....with any luck you will be on your computer there ....

then for your amusement you can talk to us!!! hahah

love you Doc Steve.....thank you so very much for sharing your journey with us....

hug.....mags

Sundanceh

The Man With the Plan...
Just really incredbile, Steve!

-c

janderson1964

I am speechless. You are a
I am speechless. You are a true warrior.

JayhawkDan

There's no place like home...
Being from Kansas it comes naturally to say "There's no place like home," but it's true. I'm so glad you're getting paroled (discharged) so quickly. Good for you -- and just know that you and your family remain in my prayers. Hugs, Dan

Brenda Bricco

So glad that all is going
So glad that all is going well, going home brings some fear of wondering how the transiton will go but getting home brings so much comfort. I am so happy that you will be home soon.
God's blessings to you.
Brenda

YoVita

Discharge planning
I'm very impressed with your recovery from a very challenging procedure(s). But do go easy on yourself. From what I've gathered, your family is very supportive. Glad to hear you're going home to that loving support.

pete43lost_at_sea

thanks for sharing great news
enjoy being home with the wife and kids.

hugs,
pete

Patteee

hurrah! I am so glad and so
hurrah! I am so glad and so relieved that soon you will be home with your family, in your transformed home. I hope and pray for a peaceful transition and strength in the days and weeks to come.

steveandnat

Great to hear
I'm so thrilled with your progress and to think you'll be in your own home is remarkable. I pray you keep getting stronger every day. Jeff

Luckygirl2

In the rewards of your success, enjoy the babies and the wife and the comfort of your home. You are a true inspiration!

Maxiecat

Woo hoo! Monday sounds
Woo hoo! Monday sounds wonderful! I hope your transition is a smooth and pain free one. I am sure you will be glad to be home again with your family. the kids must be exited to have you comming home again.

Alex

steved

Thanks for the messages
All through this the continued support of this group has been invaluable even when I haven't contributed much in the last month.

Had the Kids in to visit today and was the first time I can truly say have been able to enjoy them. Up till now it has been important to do and have enjoyed moments but has also felt exhausting and difficult to have them. Now, pertly as they are more settled on visits and more that I am getting more robust, I really loved seeing them. They even looked at my leg wound and stomas with interest talking about what was now where, and did so quite comfortably. Felt was important before I hit home where they will see more of all of me. Really pleased ith how they have coped and so proud of them and my wife who has held them all together through this.

Loads of challengese yet- every little task is now a puzzle to work through from how to wash my hands standing with crutches to how sit on a normal chair without tipping off the side. Beginning to explore the world wheelchairs and aids but pleased the basics are coming together to build from.

Love to you all and thanks again for the kind words, prayers and support,
Steve

marbleotis

Steve,

Nothing is better than going home. Truely enjoy this!!!!

janie1

steved said:

Thanks for the messages
All through this the continued support of this group has been invaluable even when I haven't contributed much in the last month.

Had the Kids in to visit today and was the first time I can truly say have been able to enjoy them. Up till now it has been important to do and have enjoyed moments but has also felt exhausting and difficult to have them. Now, pertly as they are more settled on visits and more that I am getting more robust, I really loved seeing them. They even looked at my leg wound and stomas with interest talking about what was now where, and did so quite comfortably. Felt was important before I hit home where they will see more of all of me. Really pleased ith how they have coped and so proud of them and my wife who has held them all together through this.

Loads of challengese yet- every little task is now a puzzle to work through from how to wash my hands standing with crutches to how sit on a normal chair without tipping off the side. Beginning to explore the world wheelchairs and aids but pleased the basics are coming together to build from.

Love to you all and thanks again for the kind words, prayers and support,
Steve

Thanks for the update,
Thanks for the update, Steve. So glad things are progressing. You have such a good team of people. But then, they have a good patient. I can't imagine having that kind of coordination where I live.
Glad the kids are doing ok. Hope that wound vac pump comes off soon. That will be a milestone, too.
Take care. Love to you and your family.

Doc_Hawk

Steve
Congrats on getting discharged for hospital so soon! You are truly a great warrior in this battle. Your upbeat attitude shines in your posts and offers hope and inspiration to us. Again, congratulations and good luck in your healing.

Hugs,

Doc

relaxoutdoors08

You Truely are Leading the Way
So glad to hear you are doing better than expected and the home front is just about ready for your return. WOW it seems so amazing ...We send our thoughts and prayers for your healing and good health.
NB

pepebcn

Doc_Hawk said:

Steve
Congrats on getting discharged for hospital so soon! You are truly a great warrior in this battle. Your upbeat attitude shines in your posts and offers hope and inspiration to us. Again, congratulations and good luck in your healing.

Hugs,

Doc

Glad you been discharged so soon , it means things cant work
better! Concerning your balance while sited ,do you know when you will be able to get a prothesis? Things will improve little by little my friend!
Have a big hug my dearest kiwi friend!

Cathleen Mary

relaxoutdoors08 said:

You Truely are Leading the Way
So glad to hear you are doing better than expected and the home front is just about ready for your return. WOW it seems so amazing ...We send our thoughts and prayers for your healing and good health.
NB

Steve

I am so happy for you and for your family. This is wonderful news. So much is behind you; so much living ahead. Life will certainly have its challenges but it will also have many blessings. Thank you for letting us share in your journey....even reading your posts is a privilege.

Cathleen Mary

thingy45

Cathleen Mary said:

Steve

I am so happy for you and for your family. This is wonderful news. So much is behind you; so much living ahead. Life will certainly have its challenges but it will also have many blessings. Thank you for letting us share in your journey....even reading your posts is a privilege.

Cathleen Mary

Home is where the heart is
Fantastic to hear that you are able to go home. chellenges are there to be met head on and I know you are able too.
You are a miracle and have shown so much strength and courage, that going home is an complete new adventure.
I also would like to send love and joy and admiration to your wife, who has been there with you through every up and down, cudoo's to her.She is a fantastic woman.
Hugs, Marjan