This was the day before the original surgery. We went out to lunch with Gina and John and Raelee!
A few years back, Monica was having a hard time with getting sick a lot. Strep throat and swollen lymph glands, very enlarged tonsils. She was thinking that getting her tonsils removed might help the situation. The Doctor at that time said a wait and see approach would be best because even though they were enlarged, they were soft. Since she is turned 19 her insurance was ending, she went in for a follow up appointment. This time the tonsil that was still enlarged was hard. Sometimes this can be a concern for cancer. So the decision was made to have the tonsillectomy.
She had surgery on the 20th of May. No problems!
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| Waiting for a prescription after the 1st surgery. |
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| Before her first surgery. |
Well on day 6 after the tonsillectomy, it was 4 am and she bursts in my bedroom, saying "mom, something is wrong" She was bleeding a lot. I took her to the ER in Libby after a frustrating call. I wish I had just called directly to her surgeon. But I called the ER and they just say "come in". Which turned out to be a waste of 1.5 hours that could have been spent getting her to Kalispell where she needed to be to get help.
She had quit bleeding at this point and the surgeon in Kalispell said bring her down and I'll meet you at the office. I was thinking why in the middle of the night? Why can't we go later today? I figured the scab came off, she bled and now it's fine. But we did what we were told, and thinking we would be back in a few hours, we didn't being anything with us.
When we got about half way to Kalispell Monica started bleeding again. This time she had a throw up bag, with measurements on it. The blood was choking her and it was continuous for about 45 min.
The drive was crazy: deer, fog, construction, with my daughter bleeding constantly next to me. As soon as I got to cell service I called the Dr and said I want to make sure he will be there. I explained she has already bleed 400 cc and if he isn't going to be at the office I will take her straight to the ER. I wish I had! As I got off the phone, Monica showed me that the blood was actually 800 cc's. Including what she bled at home it was almost 4 cups of blood.
I turned on my flashers and sped though construction zones, waiting at a stop light wondering how I can get through safely, because I can't wait!
A nurse met me at the door of the office and Monica actually walked in with to a chair where she immediately started to go into shock. She started shaking and passed out. We called an ambulance and the doctor got there. We got her on the floor with her feet up and made sure she was responsive.
So they had to take her back into surgery and stitch up the spot again. He sucked out another 200 cc's from her stomach that she had swallowed. All together she lost at least 1100 cc's of blood.
Thankfully she is young and healthy and is building strength quickly again.
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| Shawn, Christopher,Tony and Wesley. Keeping quiet while mama's visited with Monica. |
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| She had a problem with her ears hurting, so the hats or blankets around her head helped. |
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| Finally getting ready to go home. |
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| So thankful for family close by. |
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| This was Thursday: They had discharged her and she got up to take a shower. She passed out and her blood pressure at one point was reading 65 over 30 something! They quickly put her back on IV's and she had to stay another day. |
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| looking much better! |
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| She had to be able to walk down the hall without passing out before she could be discharged. |
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| Miriam, Monica and Gina |
