Sunday, August 10, 2008

Just Haven't Had Enough

Welcome once again to all, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, little children, dogs and cats; this is Brian coming to you once more from Northside Hospital with another update on our heroine, Catherine. Unfortunately, I must report that yesterday's initial plans for dismissal from the hospital have not gone exactly as planned. Since Catherine's surgery on Tuesday morning, some of her blood work has been slowly becoming more negative. She has been showing low blood pressure, a drop in her hemoglobin and iron counts, as well as having some swelling in her arms and around the reconstruction site (that's the breast area, not the house, which is in the process of reconstruction following the tornado and I believe is really started to cause all of our tolerance levels to swell).

Catherine's plastic surgeon, Dr. Philip Beegle, came in this morning for his regular rounds check-in, and due specifically to Catherine's low blood pressure and her fainting spell early yesterday afternoon, he has decided to give her a couple of units of blood through a transfusion. Now of course, given Catherine's squeamish nature toward blood and blood related accessories, this sat about as well with her as the gas prices do with a Hummer owner. She was intent on the blood transfusion coming from someone in the family, but after a bit of discussion with her about the timetable that would be required for someone in the family to have their blood drawn, tested and refined, as well as the fact that blood transfusion safety is far more advanced that it was in the past ("Catherine, you are not going to get cancer or AIDS from a blood transfusion; you've got a better chance of winning the lottery and you don't even play."). So Catherine is scheduled to be the proud new recipient of two units of blood. This will require about 6 hours, after which Catherine's vitals are expected to tremendously improve and we will know a bit more about her dismissal, but we sit in a kind of purgatory, hospital room limbo at this point, going on a day-to-day basis.

Last night, for dinner, Catherine and I had Milano's Pizza and Subs, which was absolutely delicious; she had ravioli Florentine and I had the carne lasagna, however, they still owe me her Greek salad and, though the potato skins were delicious, they would have been far more enjoyable had we received the honey mustard I requested, but I'm not bitter. Regardless, we will continue to press forward; I must return to Macon this evening for school tomorrow and the hotel will get a bit more money out of the family. We are all still trying to enjoy ourselves, and Catherine being Catherine continues to make me laugh both inside and out. The nursing staff at Northside has been fantastic and I would recommend them to anyone making a visit to a hospital in the Atlanta area.

Because this blog has been so amazing for Catherine and I, and the entire family, letting us express ourselves and truly letting us feel the love, support and prayers of so many of our friends and family, I would like to ask for some prayers for someone else in the family: Aunt Sharon's husband, JP Smith, has been having a truly rough time recently since their return from their summer vacation to Santa Belle. He had a hernia operation about a year ago, but since their return home, JP has spent a great deal of time in the hospital and had to be re-admitted on Friday because, since returning home, he has had to have exploratory surgery to check the repair work of the previous hernia operation, yet he has continued to be in pain and has not been able to hold down a any chow. If you could just stick his name in with your prayers on this Sunday, I know that he would feel the Lord's hand upon him and his health. This blog has really shown me the power of prayer first hand and I know that it is the greatest medical tool we have.

Hopefully, the blog will return to its original nature in the near future, chocked full of ridiculous antics from Catherine, myself and all our friends and families. We hope that you will stay tuned for more updates.

Check the TaTa's. If you don't want to take our word for it, ask Christina Applegate. This entry is outrageous in its own nature; I must stop typing now. Fiance, out.

Brian
The Fiance and Olympics Coverage Addict (Go U.S.A.!)

4 comments:

David and Alice Phelps said...

Hi Catherine,
We praise God that things are as well as they are - on your way to health. We are especially thankful that your reproductive parts are intact !! That has been a real answer of prayer for us and others. Brian has certainly passed a test of fire with you and must be quite a guy – definitely a keeper !! God bless you as you continue to recover !!
In Christ Jesus love,
David and Alice
(Your cousins from Perry, GA)

Mrs. Billings said...

If you ever need it, I am a card-carrying Red Cross donor and don't you forget it.

I will keep you and JP in my prayers.

Julie Moncrief said...

Hey Catherine,Brian and Carswell family,
Just wanted to let you know you continue to be in our prayers. Sorry to hear you had to stay another night but am glad you will be good and strong when you get to go home. The children continue to pray for you every night and we are lookinng forward to seeing you at a football game soon. Trey and Rett have been going to practices to scout out the Tigers and assure me it is going to be a great season. Your story and your courage continue to shine the Lord's light and bring him much glory. I pray the Lored will strenghten and restore you to perfect health. Love to Pam and Uncle Bubba, they too have a special place in our prayers and we pray they will be filled with all the energy they need to help you recover. Look forwar to talking to you soon.
Much Love,
Rett, Julie, Trey and Emma Grace

Laura Gardiner said...

Catherine,
I am so proud of you!! Your courage, strength, and sense of humor amazes me. I can't believe you are getting married!!! You will forever be young lady sitting in my 7th grade math class stapling the alligators mouth together!!! I know he must be a remarkable young man because you are so picky!!!! Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Love,
Laura Gardiner