Wednesday, May 09, 2012

Long Day

Some of you know that our daughter Joanna had some pretty major spine surgery today. We got up at three o'clock this morning to take her to Dallas (Addison, actually), where the surgery was done. She came through it very well, and her surgeon was really pleased with the way things went. She'll be wearing a neck brace for several months but won't have to be in a metal halo, like she was when she had spine surgery at 18 months. (Here's something I learned back then: when you have an 18-month-old and the doctors tell you, "We're going to bolt five pounds of metal to her skull . . . but it's not as bad as it sounds", they're lying. It is as bad as it sounds.) Joanna's in the ICU now and will be overnight because her blood pressure was a little low and they wanted to monitor that and her ability to swallow. Should move to a regular room tomorrow. She was in quite a bit of pain, which is to be expected but is still rough on her. On Mom and Dad, too, because no matter how old your kids get, they're still your kids.


I'm back home now, but Livia's spending the night at the hospital with her. I can't say enough about how great both of them have been today, and our other daughter Shayna, too, who has pitched in to take over everything else.

22 comments:

Unknown said...

Really glad she came through it so well. We'll be thinking of her. And you and your whole family.

Livia J Washburn said...

Joanna is sound asleep, finally. I got her to drink at least half a can of Sprite and she didn't have any trouble swallowing. BP is doing pretty good too. Hopefully she'll sleep for a while.

Her friend and fellow 3rd grade teacher, Kim, came and stayed all day. She was great. I did think Kim was going to go after the nurse the 4th time she said they could give Joanna something that would knock her out so she could sleep. I'm very thankful she was here with Joanna. Nothing like family and great friends.

Richard Prosch said...

Best hopes and warm wishes your way, James. Hang tough.

Ron Scheer said...

Thanks, James and Livia, for the news. You are all in my thoughts.

Jerry House said...

You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers, James. Any type of surgery can be hard on both patients and family. Be sure to take care of yourselves.

Robert E. Vardeman said...

Sounds good. Best to your daughter (and you! It's never easy hovering around taking care of someone).

Bob Vardeman

David Cranmer said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Livia, Shayna, and especially Joanna.

Ed Gorman said...

As always, James. my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Randy Johnson said...

Glad things went well. You folks are in our thoughts.

Adventuresfantastic said...

Glad to hear she came through the surgery without any problems. She, you, Livia, and the rest of the family will be in my prayers.

Walker Martin said...

I'm glad to hear the surgery looks like a success. You and your family are in our thoughts.

Cap'n Bob said...

I, too, hold good thoughts for you all. Let's hope there's nothing but good news for Joanna from now on.

Gina Rossi said...

How wonderful she has come through the surgery so well. All best wishes and strength to you :)

Rittster said...

You and your family are in my thoughts.

Matthew P. Mayo said...

Jen and I wish your family all the best--we're sending truckloads of positive thoughts your way!

wayne d. dundee said...

Add my thoughts and prayers, too, James and Livia (and Joanna). Hope it's nothing but the best from now on.

Unknown said...

A timely reminder that the health and fitness of family and friends does (and should) put all other concerns in the shade. Best wishes to you all.

Todd Mason said...

Any likelihood that this will be the last time she has to have fiddling with spine? If so, I suspect she will have very little nostalgia for this aspect of infancy through young adult years...and better luck to you all. (My father is finding some long-term relief after his own spinal surgery.) As with everyone else, glad to read that the surgery was apparently successful and recovery continues apace...may your collective strength match your fine character, and, again, less and less strenuous testing of either in the future...

James Reasoner said...

As far as we know she won't have to have any more surgeries, but this one sort of came out of the blue, so it's hard to say. I'm convinced she's had this problem for a long time, but it got a lot worse in the past year or so, we just didn't know what was causing it until a few months ago.

Prashant C. Trikannad said...

Mr. Reasoner, I am glad your daughter's surgery was successful and that she's doing good now. "No matter how old your kids get, they're still your kids" — that's spot on: we worry about our kids when they are young and then we worry about them when they grow old. Moms and Dads live for their kids; everything else in life comes second. My prayers and best wishes to all of you.

Tom Roberts said...

Many thoughts and wishes for a speedy recovery for all those involved at Casa De Reasoner.

Charles Gramlich said...

So glad she came through OK. I hope everything moves quickly for her to get better.