Elijah's RPLND surgery

 June 25, 2025

Elijah met with Ruth and Allen about support for his RUF internship.  


June 26, 2025

Elijah, Zach, Ruth, Allen, and I met at UNM hospital at 5:30 am.  Getting to the surgery waiting room was confusion because of construction at the hospital but we all waited together until about 6:30 when Elijah got called back from pre-op.  

The surgery started around 7:40.  Allen, Zack, and I went to breakfast together at the hospital. 

I went home around 8:10 to check on the kids and make sure Mihika got on the bus for summer school.  

I returned to the hospital around 1:15 pm the monitor in the waiting room changed from In Surgery to In Recovery.  

Around 3 pm we were able to go into the patient room with Elijah.  He was in so much pain and discomfort.  We wanted to ask questions but it was exhausting for him so Ruth and I left shortly after.  It was just Nick there.  


June 27, 2025

I visited Elijah around 9:15 am.  When I entered the room he was sitting on the bed and resting his head and arms on the bedside rolling table.  He had no clothes on except for his gown which was pretty much wide open.  He seemed miserable.  His shoulder was so achy and he said he only got around 3 hours of sleep that first night.  I massaged his shoulder and suggested to lie down with a pillow across his side to rest his hurting shoulder.  Laying down and sitting up was a major struggle.  He was able to stand up for around 30 seconds before feeling weak and uncomfortable.  

I went home after visiting for about an hour and a half.  

I got home around 11 and wanted to get back to the hospital as quick as I could.  I asked around and the Tuttles said they could watch Esther and Mihika.  I dropped them off around 2:30 then went to the hospital.  

I get to the hospital a little after 3 pm.  At the hospital Elijah had put on his pj pants, no bottoms.  He was able to lay down on the bed and had started drinking water and even had some soup and pudding.  He was able to talk and reflect on how the surgery was.  When he laid down he couldn't get himself in a good position in the bed so up would reach both of my hands under his hips and get him to a position where he felt a bit more comfortable.  I was happy to be able to help.  He seemed better than we was from the morning, and certainly from how he was the previous day.  I left a bit after 4 pm to pick up Mihika and Esther.  On the way Shawn texted and suggested that we eat dinner with them.  I got there around 5 pm.  We ate and they said Esther could stay at their house to watch a movie.  

I brought home Mihika and changed cars and headed back to the hospital.  I went to Taco Bell to get Zach and Anna dinner - Anna for watching Esther and Zack for hanging with Elijah.  Anna, Mihika, and I went to the hospital.  We got there around 7:30 pm.  Anna and I hung with Elijah while Zack at and talked with Mihika.  Then the three of them took the Explorer home and I stayed with Elijah.  When I saw Elijah had improved a little bit more, but his shoulder was still hurting.  I stayed with him until visiting hours ended at 10 pm.  

June 28, 2025, Saturday

Saturday morning Anna was working so it was a typical Saturday morning of the most part.  I had Esther and Mihika.  I texted Ruth a bit after lunch to ask if her headache was better and if she could watch the girls.  It was so I took them over around 1 pm and got there shortly after.  Shortly after I arrived the nurse came in and said that she would begin the discharge orders and that he would be heading home.  So around 3 pm they were ready to call transport.  They did and he headed down around 4 pm.  Zack picked him up from the Emergency Entrance at UNMH, which is an unpleasant part of the hospital.  He was gone, headed to Susie's and I went to pick up the girls from Ruth and Allen's.  


June 29, 2025, Sunday

I took Esther and Mihika to church.  Anna stayed home.  On the way we stopped by Susie's.  We had a church picnic afterwards.  After the picnic, around 1 pm we went home.  Susie got home that evening.  Esther stayed with her, I think.  

July 1, 2025 Tuesday

Game night at Mark's with Mike and Matt.  

July 2, 2025 Wednesday

Left for Missouri around 1:40 pm.  Made it to Shamrock around 7:50 pm, I think.  

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