Update on Ramona’s Condition
It has been one month today, Saturday, May 19, 2012 since Ramona was admitted to Audie Murphy VA Medical Center here in San Antonio with severe abdominal pain.
If you can imagine running down to your local grocery store and not coming home for a month, that is what has happened to us. Just a short recap-We were in Austin for the day tending to some business and were to drive back home the evening of April 19. Ramona was taken suddenly ill and I brought her here to Audie Murphie VA Medical Center. We have been here since then. She underwent an 8 plus hour surgery to relieve an intestinal blockage. So far, through a very long and arduous recovery, her condition is better. There seems to be a light shining somewhere at the end of the tunnel on her road to recovery.
Just yesterday, she was allowed to eat clear liquids taking something in by mouth for the first time in a month. She had a fine dining experience with delicacies consisting of clear chicken broth, orange jello, gatorade, and apple juice. She had the same thing again today. It was all good. The first day she hardly ate-drank-consumed any of it. Today, she showed signs of an appetite. The doctors say there are no signs of intestinal leakage at this point. That is our worst fear.
A cystograph x-ray of the bladder showed no signs of leakage there either, another good thing. She still has a wound vac in place, a product designed to keep very large wounds clean and clear through the use of foam inserts and a vacuum pump. It’s the invention of a local San Antonio group and it is a fantastic product. Her very large incision, which I have described as from ‘stem to stern’ is closing up and is staying clear and pink through use of the wound vac machine.
We expect to be here another two weeks as she transistions from little victories to major improvements and gains some strength. There are many out there whom we know who have gone through similar experiences and our heart goes out to them. We have a younger friend who survived a major accident and was horribly injured. Modern medicine kept him alive and now he is in recovery and rehab phase. That is also our next projected step.
I’ve learned a lot about the personalities of the individual doctors and nurses and I’m proud of them as a group for the care they deliver to our veterans. It has been outstanding. Yes, there have been little glitches here and there, but the compassion and care have all been consistently good. We would expect nothing less for our veterans and fellow Texans, but it never hurts to tell the care givers they are appreciated.
I hate to admit it, but I did take some of Engelman’s advice (taken with a dose of skepticism since he is after all an old newspaperman) when things looked really bleak. He has been through some pretty hard times similar to this and I actually do have the ability to take good advice from whatever source it comes from. Read the comments on the previous post, Real Texas Hospitals for a full explanation.
We have had some really good and caring friends in constant contact with us and we appreciate them. We understand more than most that not everyone has time to inquire daily, but we feel your positive thoughts and energy helping her through the hard days.
For now, time will take care of the healing process. I’ll let you know when we get home and then I’ll be on a more regular schedule. Since I am writing this on an iPad, some of the formatting is not exactly the way I want it. I’m sure it is not the iPad’s fault. I just don’t know how to use it correctly yet. Fantastic little device though!
P.S.
I do wonder some about these little nurses. They are not old enough to get my sense of humor. One was emptying the urine bag and I asked her if there was any vinegar in there also. She looked very puzzled at me. I told her it was my version of medical humor. I know, some of you don’t get it either. Sometimes I just have to laugh alone.
THANK YOU all for your comments, concern, and positive thoughts and prayers. You just can’t say enough good things about all you Real Texas friends.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
So glad for the good news. My hopes & prayers for continued progress. Thank you, David for the update!!
Thank you David for the update on Ramona. From that first notice that you sent us up to now, we’ve all kept her in our thoughts. You as well too. You mentioned something that I always try to do…thank those who are doing a great job. Too many times we just think it but neglect to say it. They hear enough complaints that I thought it would be good to hear positive thoughts. We send our best to the both of you and we’ll watch for updates.
BTW…I got your joke and remember the phrase well:)
Broken hip Chuck and I both are praying daily for you BOTH…..I know how tiring and trying this time can be….hang in there….there is light at the end of this long tunnel and I truly believe God allows us to go through trials like you’re in now for a good reason……Look for that reason…..
Love you guys!!
Liz
Werst…More from the Texan who is always an expert, whether or not he knows anything about the issue.
Good news! Still a long trail to ride, but seeing a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel is a hell of a lot better than that initial swirl of dark clouds that probably engulfed you during those early hospital days.
Liz Etheridge has got it just right. “…I truly believe God allows us to go through trials like you’re in now for a good reason…..Look for that reason….”
When we face a potential tragedy or, worse, the actual tragedy, itself, I believe it is human instinct to ask, “Why did God do that to me? He’s supposed to be a loving God. Why doesn’t He love me?” Much like the teenager who has decided he “hates” his parents because they have grounded him for the weekend of the big dance.
We humans can be hard-headed. Especially we Texans (perhaps some kind of genetic disorder than began at the Alamo). It seems to me that sometimes God has to give us a hard whack on the side of the head to get our attention.
I’ve got a scene in my first short story that has my hero (Mitch Allan) despondently turning on his television set the morning after the “love of his life” has walked out of his life. There’s a television preacher on the teevee that Mitch pays no attention to as he is beginning to read that Sunday morning’s newspaper.
* * *
He is scanning the front page, but thinking about Melody, when he hears the preacher-on-television say, “When God closes one door, He always opens another door.”
What? He turns his attention to the TV. The preacher repeats himself. “When God closes one door, He always opens another one.”
The preacher is staring at the camera…staring at Mitch. “But do we see that newly opened door? Do we even believe that it could be there?” the preacher asks. “Or are we so blinded by our disappointment, or our fury, or our grief that we are unable to see? To believe?
“We’ve all had doors slammed in our faces. The reaction to it is universal. It is a reaction that is anything but one of happy anticipation. We humans, I think, are creatures of the moment. Especially in times of distress. We can only focus on that closed door and lament it.
“Remember what our Christ said on the cross: ‘My God, my God, why hast Thou forsaken me?’ Theologians have debated that statement for decades and will, undoubtedly, continue to do so. Why did he utter those words? What did he really mean?
“I’ll not bore you with their arguments. I’ll merely point out that, according to Scripture, He did say those words. And I’ll suggest to you that many of us have done the same.
“So, what happened after He spoke those words…after He asked his Father why He had closed the door to His life on earth? The Scriptures tell us that He arose from the dead, that He appeared before some of his disciples and that He ascended into Heaven—into the life everlasting.
“One door closes. Another door opens.
“We all had parents. Most of us are parents. Our parents wanted what they believed would be best for us. As we do for our children. Are our wishes any different from those of our Father in Heaven? Of course not. After all, Scripture tells us we are created in His image.
“It is so easy to sit here in this sanctuary and trust in the Lord and praise His name. It is not easy—at all—to react to a closed door with the joyful anticipation of a newly opened door and the adventure and joy that await us as we walk through it.
“There is but one answer to the human dilemma of the closed door. Trust in the Lord. Admit to yourself that the path He has chosen for you will be more joyful than the path you might have chosen for yourself.
“Trust in your Father and walk through that door He has opened for you. As a matter of faith. Amen.”
The preacher pulls a book from his pulpit and addresses his congregation. “Please turn to page 378 of your hymnal for our closing hymn.”
There is a murmuring from the congregation, sprinkled with some quiet laughter. The organ begins the music and the congregation breaks into song, with what appears to Mitch to be great gusto.
The hymn is Onward Christian Soldiers.
* * *
God didn’t slam the door in your face. There is a crack between it and the doorway from which you can see light. But why did He scare the hell out of you? As Liz said, “What is the reason?”
Don’t ask yourself “Why?” You ain’t smart enough to figure out the answer. Merely ask Him, in your continuing conversation with Him, to reveal the answer to you. My experience is that you’ll get the answer and never know it. One day you will be looking out over your countryside, out there in the wilderness, and you’ll suddenly say, “Oh, so that was it!”
I know you’re working on a book. Maybe all this terror you’ve experienced is God’s way of causing you to use the talent He gave you to write another kind of book. A story you are now, suddenly, fully qualified to write. A more important book.
Maybe. Just maybe.
David, we were so glad to hear that Ramona is slowly recovering from this ordeal. She is in our thoughts and prayers daily, as are you, and we continue to pray for a return to good health. We look forward to your return home. For now, much love, Lesley and Lu
We are glad to hear that Ramona has improved and hope soon you both will be able to return to your Real Texas home and your dogs. Bet they really miss ya’ll. When Ted was in the hospital and rehab for 10 weeks this winter after his stroke he was missing his dog and what a happy reunion that was. What Liz and Mike said, I believe is really true. There is a reason but you may not know it right away. and there is light at the end of the tunnel! Good wishes and prayers coming your way! Sue and Ted Helveston
Hang in there Ramona & David!
Dave, Thank you for the update. It i wonderful new to hear Ramona’s doing better. I hope your strength is holding up through these trying times. It’s so nice to hear that you and your partner in life will be getting home and enjoying the days together once again. My best to both of you, Andy
Thanks for the update David. I am so glad that Ramona is steadily improving. You both remain in our prayers.
Hi, David and Ramona! I’m so happy to hear Ramona is doing better! Knowing Ramona, I can visualize her using her “can do” attitude to get better. Please tell her that Cade and Megan just returned from their cruise on Sunday. They had a wonderful time. They loved it! Tell her thanks for putting that together for them. Give Ramona my love…and don’t forget to take care of yourself! Hope to see you both back in Real West Texas soon!
Hope you get better soon and provide us men with some more cookin tips. you will be in our prayers…
Hang in there! Hope she is doing much better by now.