Discharge Day!

Today was discharge day! We couldn't be more happy updating our blog from home. Dan's on his way to a speedy recovery. Somehow we are all going to figure out how to hold that guy down for the next 6 weeks.

If it wasn't for sheer exhaustion, I would update all of you on the exciting details of his physical therapy and other stories from our whirlwind week. Hope to post some pictures this weekend from the laptop. Dan spent 5 days in basically a dress so anyone looking for blackmail, just email me :)

Love,
Lauren

Day 4 Update

Today was a very active day! We got Dan's bandage off today and the incision looks really clean. He hasn't had really any nausea or dizziness; he is just a little lightheaded and the pain is being managed.  Today was the day he had to begin his physical therapy and occupational therapy. This means he has to make 2 laps around the hospital wing 3-4 times per day and we have some balance and facial exercises to do as well. Each time Dan gets up to do his laps he is stronger and has better balance. During surgery they had to cut the nerve that assists with balance so a little unsteadiness is to be expected. Dan's spirits are high- he's joking around and carrying on conversation. He's getting bored in bed so that's a great sign :) Nurses are saying that he is running a low grade fever again so they are doing some blood cultures and other body fluid tests to make sure there isn't any kind of infection to worry about. The doctors will be coming to do a final exam in the morning to determine if he's ready for discharge late tomorrow afternoon.  We are all looking forward to a more comfortable recovery at home!

Day 3 PM Update

We got moved to a regular room! The transfer didn't happen until around 4:30 so the physical therapy and walking was postponed until tomorrow. Not much other news other than that. He's tucked away right now resting. We are missing the one on one care we received in ICU but hopefully we will be leaving Friday anyway.

He's been craving a caffe mocha, chocolate milkshake and is looking forward to the glass of wine his doctor said he can have after being discharged :)

Day 3 AM Update

Good Morning! Dan is still looking really good today.  He had a low grade fever yesterday that cleared up and they had him transitioned from liquid diet to soft foods this morning. When we walked in to his room in the ICU wing he was sitting up in the chair. They attempted to give him a regular breakfast with pancakes and toast but the trauma to the jaw muscles during surgery has made it a little tough to chew for now. His nurses have been so attentive and whipped up a smoothie for him to drink instead.

During the surgery they took a 'translabyrinthine approach' which means they drill through the bony part of the inner ear. They have to remove the mastoid bone and part of the inner ear bone (specifically the semicircular canals of the inner ear which contain balance receptors). It provides the best results for saving the facial nerve and best results for being able to access the whole tumor. Doctors are very pleased with how Dan's facial muscles are responding. There is a very slight asymmetry that is barely visible and it should improve as the swelling goes down.  I may have mentioned this before but the cons are unrecoverable hearing loss on the affected side and some balance issues that will have to be rehabilitated. All things considered, this was definitely the best approach to take.  

He seems more fatigued today than yesterday because they are trying to increase his activity level. We are looking forward to him getting moved out of ICU in a couple hours. There some physical therapists will get him up and walking late this afternoon. We are all very anxious to see how his balance is. Doctors are hoping to discharge him Friday!! 

Day 2 3:45pm

The nurses just sat Dan up in a chair and have him on a liquid diet. He's up and somewhat talkative although fatigue sets in easily.  Right now they have him resting and he will remain in the special ICU wing for another night before being transferred to a regular ICU room. The doctors will still get him up and walking tomorrow.

Day 2 Post Op

Hey Everyone! We were able to have a big sigh of relief today having the surgery behind us. Things wrapped up around midnight as scheduled and Dan was admitted into ICU. He had a good night considering the trauma his brain went through. Besides having to manage the pain with medication, he has had very few post surgical complications so far. Coordination on the affected side is good and doctors said facial weakness/paralysis will not be a long term outcome.  Dan had the best surgeons possible working on him and we couldn't be more thankful that they took on his case at the last minute like that. Both doctors said they have never had a preliminary consult with a patient and headed into the OR on the same day. It was a miracle that the whole process moved so smoothly.

I had the opportunity to talk with both surgeons this morning and one of them mentioned that this was the best feel good case he has had in 10 years. The size of the tumor was considerably large, yet the deficits that they would expect to see are very few.  Since they were able to remove the tumor completely, they don't expect Dan to have to go under radiation treatment in the future.

I just saw him as he was getting wheeled in for a standard MRI follow up. Doctors are expecting him to sit up in a chair later today and be walking with the assistance of a physical therapist tomorrow. He still looks like the same old handsome guy we all know and love. I'm relaying all of your well wishes and thoughts to him.

Dan is very sleepy because of the medication and so guests are limited to immediate family for now.
We seem to be through the thick of it but should be up here in LA until the end of the week.

Lo

Night!

I got to see Dan in ICU and he has two amazing nurses taking care of him. He was coming out of anesthesia pretty well.  There was a chance of facial paralysis with the surgery, but they were able to do a good job of avoiding that as a long term outcome. Can't wait to see him again in the morning . We are all hoping he gets a night full of rest and recovery.

Lauren