Thank you for sharing your great news. And I'm very happy to learn that the medical community has stepped up to meet Debbie's challenges. You are so right, it was long overdue.

Will keep the prayers and healing energy coming your way!

"Although we can't change the wind, we can adjust our sails."

I'm so relieved to hear Debbie will be staying in the hospital while the Dr.'s try to find out what is causing her to be so ill. You must be so happy to know she will be taken care of for now.

Finding a Dr. that you like and trust is very important. I'm so happy for you and Debbie. Keep us posted on how she is doing and what the Dr.'s determine.

Vicki

Sugarlips

Just talked to Debbie's nurse trying to find out when they were going to discharge her to go by ambulance to see her pain specialist. They've decided against that. They want to get the pain and nausea totally under control and they may be able to check the pump themselves after all to see what's wrong. YEA!!!! The doctors and nurses at this hospital have impressed me more than any I've seen in a long time and that's saying something since some of you know I don't often have too many kind words for the medical profession. I was so worried that her normal pain doc would just blow this off and send her home with me without doing anything and we'd end up right back at the hospital again with her sicker than ever. Now I have a doctor I trust to take care of her and figure out what's wrong and wonderful nurses to look after her. I am so freaking relieved I don't know how to tell you. I think they just might switch her to this doctor and that would be fantastic! That might be politically problematic still but I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Debbie is LONGGGGG overdue to have a doctor that recognized the severity of her problems and does something concrete to help her. I can breathe now. WHEW! Hey guys?? Prayers work!!! Thank you!!!!

P.S. YR, how are the puppies doing?

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

Hi Melissa -

I'm just adding my prayers to everyone else's. I know that you're probably running low on positive thoughts today, so I just want you to know that I'm sending lots of positive energy your way.

I'm glad to hear that at least Debbie is finding a little more relief, and here's hoping they find the simple solution tomorrow. My positive thinking tells me that it came on so suddenly that it's got to be a faulty pump.

You and Debbie are in my prayers tonite -- I hope you're sleeping peacefully!

Nancy

The good news: The hospital's pain specialist was back at work today. He changed Debbie's medicine from morphine to dilaudid-that's about as strong as it gets-and a lot of it. She's still in pain when she's awake, but thankfully it's keeping her zonked out a fair amount. The anti-nausea meds are finally helping. She's still feeling sick to her stomach but hasn't been throwing up today. The pain specialist also believes her pump isn't working -at least I feel almost positive now that it really isn't stomach flu. That actually should come under the bad news because:

The bad news: If her pump isn't working(and the pain specialist couldn't check that for sure-apparently she has to see her own doctor for that to happen), then the possibilities are threefold-either there's a simple problem with it that can be fixed easily or it's not that simple but another surgery could take care of it or she is rejecting it and they'll have to take it out. Frankly I don't have overwhelming hope that it's gonna be one of the easy answers but I'm trying to keep the faith cause if she loses the pump the only other options I can think of aren't pleasant. That answer will have to wait until tomorrow-though Debbie's regular pain doc was willing to see her today, because he has no hospital privileges , Debbie will have to be discharged from the hospital and go by ambulance to see the doc and God willing get a real answer, and the hospital pain specialist felt she shouldn't leave until tomorrow to give them one more day to try to get the pain and nausea under control. And so it is. And so we wait some more. And maybe tonight I can get some sleep but I'm not holding my breath. Please, God, as horrible as this has been, let the problem be something relatively simple that will let her keep the pump.

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

Melissa, we will continue to keep Debbie in our prayers. Give us an update when you can. Yellow Rose, that is the sweetest thing I have ever heard. To name two of your new puppies Debbie and Melissa.

Vicki

Sugarlips

Thinking about you, girl! And, of course, Debbie, too!! She sounds so sick and I am so very sorry. Sure hope you both get some better news today. This has to be a very stressful time. Prayers coming your way...

YellowRose, what a beautiful gesture! That so much touched my heart.

Hang in there, Melissa. We are with you!

Hugs

~ Janie ~

I will no doubt have a better update about Debbie tomorrow when the world returns to work. Here's a tip-DON'T get seriously ill over Christmas! Tomorrow the hospital should be able to reach the doctor who will have an answer about the morphine pump. At this point it's considered highly likely that the pump is not working and there could also easily be an infection present which will mean the pump will have to come out. This is still conjecture though based on her symptoms and everything that's happened recently with the pump. They've increased her external IV morphine cause she's in so much pain, and she is now on three different meds to try to control the nausea-with limited success cause she's still getting sick way,way,way too much. She's on IV potassium and sodium chloride to help prevent dehydration also. She's very sick. She was begging me today to take her home. I felt so horrible having to tell her as gently as I could that she just can't come home yet. She would certainly die if she tried, but she is so exhausted and hurts so much I wish I could just wrap her up and bring her home. I really don't know how this will resolve-what they will do. When I know I promise you all will know as soon as I can return here.

You guys are amazing. You have all touched my heart more than I can say and I thank you for all the warm,loving words,thoughts and prayers. I have to say Yellow Rose, you make me feel like a celebrity! You made me smile and cry at the same time. That is just too cool for words-thank you, thank you and please give "our" puppies bunches of hugs and kisses from us. Debbie is going to be in shock that someone she doesn't know would name a Boston Terrier puppy after her, and I guarantee you if anything can make her smile right now that will be it. I'll never forget that. I'll never forget any of you. You've filled an empty place in my heart and life-I don't know what I'd do without you-and knowing you were here helped to make this Christmas a whole lot easier to get through. With much love-Melissa

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

Here's some extra (((((((HUGS)))))) for both of you. Just wanted you to know that I've been reading along. (In rigid splints for CTS) My thoughts and prayers are with you both. brenda

Melissa, I'm still here keeping vigil for you and Debbie too.Just wanted you to know how many prayers are coming your way from all of your forum family.

Love, Kathie, k.c.allyn@att.net The journey of a thousand miles...begins with a single step. Confucius

Had four Boston Terrier puppies born today and thought of you Melissa and Debbie. Thought about life and how much, we as humans, need to see renewal to keep going. My puppies are sending Debbie all their strength to get well. They are sending you love because you care so much for Debbie. May the next few days be renewal for the both of you. As I watch over my mother dog and she watches over her babies I'll be praying [everytime I walk by, or pick one up to kiss I'll say a prayer for dear Melissa & dear Debbie.] There are two beautiful boys and two beautiful girls. I give them I.D. names before they go to new homes. The two little girls are named Melissa and Debbie.

Melissa, we all are praying for Melissa and for you .We will keep the vigil until we hear from you.

Thanks for the update, Joan Marie. I will send good thoughts and prayers to Debbie and Melissa that the Dr.'s are able to help Debbie. Melissa is often the first one to reach out to others in need. We are here for you, Melissa.

Vicki

Sugarlips

I keep popping in here to see if we've heard anything.

Today would be a good day for a small miracle. Let's hope Debbie gets the help she needs and Melissa can have some peace today.

Keep the faith, Dolly3

Every time I close the door on reality it comes in through the windows.

Please take a moment out of this day to think and pray for Melissa and her spouse Debbie. The morphine pump is not working and Debbie is struggling until the hospital locates the pain specialist. They are using post-chemo drugs to minimize the vomiting and IV morphine to control her pain, both with limited success.

The energy here is great. Please tap into it when you read this message. Thank you.

"Although we can't change the wind, we can adjust our sails."

I'm so sorry that Debbie has to spend Christmas in the hospital. I hope that it's just a nasty flu (never thought I'd be hoping something like that) and they can get her system rehydrated and send her on the way. I'd hate for her to have to go through more with that morphine pump. Do they know when the pain specialist will be back to work? Have they been able to control the vomiting?

I wish there was more than just my good thoughts and prayers that I could offer you; since that's all I have, lets hope the good Lord puts them to use!

Don't forget to take care of you.

Dolly3

Every time I close the door on reality it comes in through the windows.

Debbie was admitted to the hospital. The doctors arent' sure if she has an exceptionally nasty case of stomach flu or if her morphine pump is malfunctioning. What they are sure of is that the vomiting and diarrhea are so severe she's in danger of dehyrdating and she's in a lot of pain. Unfortunately, the hospital may not be able to check the pump to see if it's working and the pain specialist who handles that equipment is out of town for the holidays. She will be there at least as long as it takes to make sure she won't dehydrate.
I'm taking enough time at home to give my niece her presents, share some dinner with her and then will be returning to the hospital. I suggested rescheduling our gift exchange with my niece until Debbie was better, but in her usual manner, she insisted on me spending time with Bridget and then she and I will have our delayed celebration when she's up to it.
Thank you all for your good thoughts and prayers. They are much appreciated. Love,Melissa

"Whatever tomorrow brings, I"ll be there-with open arms and open eyes"

Mellisa:
Sorry to hear about Debbi not being well . I hope they can correct the situation at the Er.

Our thought and Prayers are with you.

Take Care Eleanor

My thoughts and prayers are with you and Debbie, especially today. Along with our sisters, I hope it's only a bug but whatever it is, I hope her doctors can find a speedy and effective resolution.

Know that we're with you, Melissa. Keep us posted as we keep sending the healing energy.

"Although we can't change the wind, we can adjust our sails."

Melissa, I'll be keeping both you and Debbie in my thoughts and prayers today.

Please remember to take care of yourself right now, stress is the enemy. Let us know when you can how both you and Debbie are doing.

Lori

Every time I close the door on reality it comes in through the windows.