February 7, 2024
1 Year +352
Day 15
Last night was a bigger dose of reality for me. The previous couple nights, we had night nurses that know us well. They know Tates routine, her pain cues and what is needed at night to keep her comfortable and allow her to sleep; which means I sleep! I’m so grateful for those nights especially when we hit a night that brings a new face and nobody sleeps. But it does remind me how rough Tates nights actually are without all the additional support. I’m not looking forward to the nights at home with every 3 hour meds with BP checks in between. But, we ate getting closer to going home!
This afternoon the medication change in the IT (intrathecal (spinal)/implanted) pump was just getting to Tate’s spine. Her pain Dr. also gave her a bolus and 45 minutes later Tate did notice improvement. There is still lots of pain, but we’re headed in the right direction. PT was in today to work on some very tight muscles and tomorrow we try weaning the PCA a bit. Our ambitious goal is to get home by the weekend. But a more realistic goal is by Monday. It all depends on how well Tate does with coming off the PCA. The weaning of the oral pain meds will continue at home. It’ll continue to be a long month wether inpatient or out, but we are so ready to be home.