Mark's second surgery in a week

Thursday night I had to take Mark in to Emergency in Lethbridge. Mark's constipation had become severe. His stomach was very distended and when I fed him he wretched. He was not responding to any treatments.
After waiting half the night in Emergency, we found out Mark had a bowel obstruction--which, untreated could be life-threatening. The next day they did surgery on him to remove the blockage. He is o.k. now and came home from his second hospital stay this afternoon.
We think the narcotics (constipating), the surgery (causing a lot of soreness in the groin area) and the lack of mobility he has, combined with his diet (no fiber) created a perfect storm for his bowels.
I am on my way to sleep in my own bed, for the first time in 9 days! Let's hope I have spent my last night in a hospital cot or emergency room chair for a while!
--Becky

Mark is home from the hospital

Mark and I got home from the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary last night at about 10 p.m. For those who may not have known, he just had major reconstructive surgery on his hips which were not forming properly due to the brain injury, lack of walking, etc.

The surgery was successful, but there were a few little problems which gave some adventure to the hospital stay. First, he was supposed to have an epidural for 3 days post-operatively, but it came out of place the first night and leaked all over his bed, and needless to say, did not provide the pain relief intended. They controlled his pain with morphine and midazolam after that and he seemed relatively comfortable, except when being transferred.

He came out of surgery with casts on his two legs to mid-thigh with a broomstick between them, just above the ankles to hold his legs in a straddle position allowing the hips to stay in the socket. These casts were to stay on for 4 weeks. By the time we were to go home, they had shifted so that his toes were way back in the casts. The doctor decided that the casts had to come off because they could cause pressure sores being out of position. They substituted a foam wedge that goes between his legs. He has to wear the wedge now 24/7 for the next 3 weeks and gradually reducing to just night time after that and will wear it for 6 months.

He is home now, and just on tylenol and a stronger version of advil. We're still having some challenges with his bowels and bladder, but he is relatively comfortable. I'm not sure yet when he'll be able to go back to school or go to church, etc.

Ideas for the Prete Reunion, Summer 2008

As you probably know, I am hoping to have a family reunion here in Magrath next summer on dates TBA. Possibly around the 4th of July, but not necessarily. Please give input as to dates--John and Emma like the 4th as it is a paid holiday and easier to leave work for. Would others of you (I'm thinking of Bryners) miss not being in the US on the 4th for the usual fireworks and other traditions?)



I have a couple of ideas for the reunion. Tell me what you think.



1. Get family pictures. Rob's family had this done last Chistmas. A photographer in Cardston will do outdoor photos at your place-or wherever-and take a large group photo and individual family pictures as well as any other groups we want. Then she gives you a disc with all the photos on it and we have rights to print as many copies as we like. The Doig photos turned out really well. These pictures might cost each of our families $50-75.



2. Link up with a local fun run or walk/run. As many family members as wanted to could enter and others could watch and look after kids (we may have to hire a couple of babysitters too, depending on how many do the race). If we picked a family friendly event, babies could even be pushed in strollers and the kids could participate too. I thought doing a race together, which I desperately hope would not turn competitive in a negative sense, could be a great motivator to all of us who have a goal to exercise, but do better with an event to look forward to.



Please comment on these ideas.