In case you weren't aware, or have left the Quartzsite gathering and have asked, on Saturday, Kathy (of BirdingRVer fame) underwent emergency surgery in Blythe CA. She hadn't been feeling well for a couple of days and Grant took her in to be checked out. The initial diagnosis was appendicitis but that proved to be incorrect. Here is what Grant has written on his blog (
http://www.birdingrvers.com/):
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Emergency Surgery for Kathy
I had planned to write about what a great time we had in Quartzsite just as soon as we stopped doing so much that I would have time to write. However, Saturday morning I took Kathy to the emergency room at the Blythe Hospital. After a long day and a lot of test in the emergency room The CT scan show that Kathy had to have her appendix removed. Her appendicitis was atypical because she didn’t have the fever or high white cell count usually associated with appendicitis.
Once the surgery began the doctor determined that her appendix was fine but that she had a “growth” or calcified deposit of something in the wall of her bowel and a small hole in her bowel near the appendix. Whatever it was it has been removed and sent to a lab to determine what it is.
Kathy will be fine but will be in the hospital for about a week. I will write more as we know more.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Kathy Update - 1
Kathy slept most of yesterday and when awake said she felt no pain.
The Doctor said everything went fine and there is no reason to think that there will be any problems but it was major surgery and recovery will take time. She will be in the hospital for about a week.
I want to thank all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers. I will update as I have news.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Kathy Update - 2
Kathy has gotten better to the point that she has started to complain about all of the tubes and wires that are attached to her. They have removed most of the tubes but the tube through her nose into her stomach really bothers her and they say at least another day. Monday she didn’t sleep as much during the day and her color is looking better. They had her walk around the bed in the morning and she was so tired she slept for an hour after her walk. They had her walk around the bed in the afternoon and she was tired but didn’t need to take a nap.
I think Monday was a harder day for Kathy because she was awake for most of it and just couldn’t get comfortable. She says she only has pain when the incision is touched or when trying to move.
The doctor continues to say that she will be in the hospital for “about a week” but, never says exactly how long she will be in the hospital.
Grant returned to the Quartzsite Circle this evening and reported that Kathy had a good day, the highlight of which was her taking a shower. She still has the tube through her nose and *REALLY* wants to be rid of it! If she hears "...one more day.." from the doctor again tomorrow, Grant thinks she will explode.