by Chuck Larlham
Member since:
January 19, 2009

LUVLY LAURA is home from the Hospital… again!

May 14, 2010 12:29 PM UTC (Updated: May 14, 2010 10:11 PM UTC)
views: 0 | 12 people recommend this | comments: 39

LUVLY LAURA spent the last three days in the hospital for a laparoscopic abdominal surgery. The doctor assured us there would be minimal pain. Doctors, even the ones who are really nice guys, lie… did you know that?

A laparoscopy requires that your abdomen be pumped full of gas to keep everything from just pressing on everything else while they’re operating… and them with no hands in there to hold stuff apart. The gas stretches the abdominal muscles beyond their normal extent (a LOT beyond), and that hurts… for DAYS.

The surgery was successful, but might fail (something about some esoteric scientific concept called “gravity” fighting the surgeon), and we may, therefore, have to go thru a full-open abdominal surgery. Women are built funny, and I don’t mean “ha-ha” funny, and once things start to go south (pun intended) a colostomy is not out of the question. There’s one more possibility before that, but…

So, for now we wait. It’s all we can do. She should be out of the pain window by Monday, and back to her ‘normal’ life. Meanwhile, I get to be a nurse again.

Comments: 39

Michael Larlham May 14, 2010, 12:36pm UTC
Uncle Chuck ..I pray for her .I remember her from a long time ago . You two and my mom and dad are what inspired me to be monogomous when everyone else I knew just wanted fun .hehehe I remember telling my dad how beautiful I thought she was .You are a very lucky man and i know you both know it.In an age of "throw away marriages ..the 4 of you stood the test of time which is the greatest test . I love you both.
Chuck Larlham May 14, 2010, 12:37pm UTC
Thanx, Mike. I appreciate the kind words. And I'm glad we were role models.
Richard B. May 14, 2010, 12:52pm UTC
That's sad to see you two take care.
Michael Larlham May 14, 2010, 12:55pm UTC
I think perhaps you misunderstood my comment .There are those who think a child is born as a blank slate , to be written on for the things they will be . There are those who believe that a child's genetic code determines a portion of what they will be and then life experiences (evolution) asserts itself.
Personally ,I believe the latter.
I just wanted you to know
I wish you all the best and I look forward to this summer with you all . I am cooking . I make the best shish ka bobs the worls has ever known "The mother of all shish ka bobs ..name your poison ..beef ,pork ,shrimp ,chicken ..mom and dad taught me how to cook .
Chuck Larlham May 14, 2010, 1:12pm UTC
mom and dad taught me how to cook .

Then you're a helluva cook... no doubt. I've got two Webers just waitin' for ya. We'll go shoppin' and you can cook it.
Col. George W. May 14, 2010, 3:18pm UTC
Michael, I believe both are true. Genetics and the blank slate. Some kids grow up in to be good citizens in spite of what is written on the slate and some because of what's written on the slate.
Annmarie B. May 14, 2010, 12:55pm UTC
Chuck, she is lucky to have you. When I had chemo I had to take care of myself. I pray that her pain eases and you can feel peace too. Hang in there!!!!!! annmarie
Thomas R. May 14, 2010, 12:59pm UTC
Wow, that brings a tear to my eye. I will pray for her too! You’re a great man Chuck and it shows with the admiration of others who wish to emulate you! It might sound odd but even at my age; you inspire me to be a better person by your example! Thank you for your decency and wisdom for me to look up to!
Patti M. May 14, 2010, 1:05pm UTC
Chuck, I hope and pray all works out.
peggy g. May 14, 2010, 1:12pm UTC
hope all goes well ..
Michael Larlham May 14, 2010, 1:18pm UTC
webers are the best ...maybe smoke some ribs too..kiss aunt laura for me
Chuck Larlham May 15, 2010, 9:19am UTC
You bet. Thanx for th' thought.
Elsie Duggan May 14, 2010, 1:29pm UTC
Chuck, I hope Laura is feeling better, hospitals and procedures are no picnic. I am still visiting my son since March 26, in and out, now in there two weeks again, take good care of yourself, while taking care of Laura,
Kathryn Flynn May 14, 2010, 1:31pm UTC
Best wishes.....
Steph-in-NE ..... May 14, 2010, 1:41pm UTC
I hope she get better fast you know might cheer her up you dress up in a nurses uniform, white dress and all LOL
Dennis Gilman May 14, 2010, 1:51pm UTC
Hang in there Chuck. This too shall pass.

Yes Doctors do lie.
Debra C. May 14, 2010, 1:54pm UTC
I remember when I had one of those the doctor advised me of, but downplayed the possibility of pain before the surgery. He was surprised after, at a followup appointment, that I had none. I guess I just blow gas out faster than most people.

May both of you find an easing of this quickly.
Kathryn Flynn May 14, 2010, 2:02pm UTC
Best wishes.

Featured in the Triple Name Club.
Chuck Larlham May 15, 2010, 9:20am UTC
Thanx Kathryn.
Sandre M. May 14, 2010, 2:05pm UTC
Thinking good thoughts for you both and hope things will work out without too many more complications for her.
Robin A. May 14, 2010, 2:13pm UTC
hope things work out
Angela A. May 14, 2010, 3:02pm UTC
She's lucky to have you to take care of her.
Col. George W. May 14, 2010, 3:21pm UTC
I hope this is the last of her difficulties Chuck, It's been a trial.
Chuck Larlham May 15, 2010, 9:21am UTC
Indeed. How's Dorothy, BTW? I know she & Laura were both in the hospital at about the same time not too long ago.
Col. George W. May 15, 2010, 11:15am UTC
Dorothy if fine, back to work & living on her own. She has no eye trouble now.

Deloris is the one I'm nursing now since she fell a couple months ago.

Seems to me you said you were a medic in the service. Well welcome back.
Chuck Larlham May 15, 2010, 9:07pm UTC
Indeed... What I did is what I do it seems. Some of it never again, I hope.

I'd forgotten. It was Deloris I was actually asking about.
Col. George W. May 15, 2010, 9:31pm UTC
I thught you meant Deloris but both have had their problems. Deloris (Dee) is still having a lot of problems, We need to have someone here all the time and that someone is almost always me. She is very apt to fall again and she can't get her legs up to get into bed most of the time. Then there are her shaking spells. The Doctors don't have answers yet. We seen a neurologist next for his opinion.

Tell Laura we wish her well and you try to get a little help now and then to have a break.
:( Owie! This sucks... and they do lie! I guess, though, they probably figure that if they told you how bad it was going to feel, people would chicken out of painful procedures.
Give Aunt Laura hugs from me. Hopefully she'll recover well and the surgery will have worked. At least she has a great nurse!
Chuck Larlham May 15, 2010, 9:22am UTC
Hugs given (lightly)!
Beth G. May 14, 2010, 6:17pm UTC
I hope Laura makes a swift recovery at home!
MrsRoadRunner . May 14, 2010, 6:56pm UTC
AND a good nurse you are!!
You took good care of her!!
I wish you both well!!
Dorothy H. May 14, 2010, 7:05pm UTC
Hope for her a speedy recovery, and that all else goes well, with you family, and friends.
Renda B. May 14, 2010, 8:28pm UTC
I hope she's up to 100% soon. You're right about the pain from the gas they inject....it can be very painful, often times more painful than the surgical site. Sending you both positive thoughts and virtual hugs.
Franklin Newman May 14, 2010, 9:39pm UTC
May she fully recover and be free of pain.
Tami G. May 15, 2010, 1:26am UTC
Glad to hear that Lucky Laura is home & now maybe she can get to stay at home this time. Our thoughts & Prayers are with both of you at this time.
Lets not and say we did May 15, 2010, 10:30am UTC
my thoughts are with you and Laura
Sharon P. May 15, 2010, 12:00pm UTC
How well I know. They do that for endoscopy too, and it's hard to get rid of that gas. Hope she feels much better soon.
Angel sent from God Secret Sisters May 15, 2010, 9:00pm UTC
Yes I know too much about being filled with the gas on two of my surgeries.
Well for one thing if you never had it done you have no idea how it feels. Then they will not let you out of the hospital till you start passing that gas they filled you with. Thats another reason I want a female doctor.


We will pray for Laura that she heals fast and that this will work .
Blessings sent your way.
"Minimal pain" is a relative term. Any time a doctor says "Most people" I respond with, "Then put me in with the rest, cause I ain't like 'most' people". And the "bends" SUCK, cause that's what those kinds of surgeries cause!

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