Our journey series: five of eight

Our journey

Read what happened following Doug's accident. These posts were originally published on Doug's CaringBridge site, https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/dougbichler.

A long way
Compared to June 26, this Monday evening has progressed much better. We've come a long way in two weeks. Today, we managed to have good meals and snacks, help Doug bathe, made a Target and grocery store run, had a Starbucks drink, paid bills, did laundry, napped, walked, did exercises and are currently watching the movie Hop. Oh, and thanks to Doug's sister he received a much needed pedicure. Doug and I haven't spent this much time together since our honeymoon trip to Maine last August. Granted this week was not brought about by great circumstances, being forced to rest, relax and have fun when possible is somewhat of a blessing for the two of us. We hope to have three more good days of recovery before Doug's surgery Friday. After his skin graft surgery, we will be staying in the hospital so they can do dressing changes and monitor the progress of his skin graft. Then, maybe just maybe, we will be able to go home for one week to ten days before Doug would have to come back to St. Paul for a check up. Doug's recovery will be a long process, and we are a long way from the light at the end of the tunnel, but every good day makes traveling the way a little bit easier.

Up and down
Last night was an up and down battle with pain. Doug was awake until 1 a.m., then finally had a few hours of sleep before he woke at 4 a.m. to take medicine. He was in pain at this point as well and fell back asleep at 5 a.m. He slept in until almost 8 this morning and is resting after eating breakfast. We are expecting a visitor today, and I have an OB/GYN appointment this afternoon. Doug hopes to come with, but it depends how he is feeling. He had such a good, active day yesterday, and we think all the activity and movement wore him out, causing his pain to be slightly elevated today. He has his post-op appointment at the orthopedic clinic on Thursday morning and heads back to Regions on Friday for surgery, where we will then be staying for at least 3-5 days. I hear snoring, so hopefully he can have some rest and comfort in this down time and skirt any ups in pain today.

Baby Bichler
I had my 36-week appointment today. Doug wanted to come with, but I didn't have the heart to wake him from his nap when it was time to leave. Turns out, he was able to come after all. During the check-up, I yet again measured small so the doctor ordered a complete growth ultrasound for later in the day to rule anything out. Thanks to Doug's cousin's gracious attitude, she brought Doug to the hospital to be with me during the ultrasound. I can't speak for him, but it sure was reassuring and calming to be able to see the baby again. Baby Bichler is a small little guy or gal, measuring in the 7.6th percentile. But, all the vitals, organs and technicalities are normal and operating as they should. So, hey, if I have to deliver a smaller than average baby, I don't have much of a problem with that. If Baby Bichler is born healthy, if Doug is able to be there with me and if it's in North Dakota; that's all I need.

I can't see a darn thing!
Doug and I have had a eventful yet restful day. He had a great night of sleep, and besides being woke at 4 a.m. to take medicine, slept through the night until 7:30 a.m. Then, we had breakfast and took care of his dressing. We did his morning routine and then it was off to the eye doctor for appointments for both of us. Doug's cousin's husband is an eye doctor in St. Paul and was kind enough to fit us in his schedule for today. Little did we know, we had our eyes dilated, which we weren't expecting. When we got in the exam room together we were giggling fools because neither of us could see, and we had to wear the ridiculous throw away plastic sunglasses. Our eyesight is about back to normal now, but we've been quite the pair today. Shortly after we returned to the house, Doug's good friend and his wife showed up to surprise Doug for the day. We all had lunch and have been sitting and chatting. But, now the three of them are napping while I type this. We hope to either cook and have a meal together at the house tonight, or if Doug is feeling up to it we will venture out to one of White Bear Lake's fine establishments. At least we'll be able to see and it won't be the pregnant blind leading the amputee blind.

The day before
Day by day this week has seemed to crawl by. But, now that we are journeying to Regions Hospital tomorrow for Doug's surgery, it seems this week away from the hospital has zoomed before us. Today was not great and not all bad. Doug had pain today; to a level he hadn't experienced for the past few days. Between hot tea, ice massages, prayers, naps, Culver's bacon cheeseburgers and onion rings, distraction, walks, etc., we managed, but I can't say it was a comfortable day. Worries and stress flooded our minds. But, we are immensely blessed despite the hurdles which seem to keep coming our way this month. Doug's surgery is scheduled for 1:30 tomorrow afternoon with pre-op scheduled at noon. It's the day before his skin graft surgery and looking back, I can't believe we are two weeks past the accident. Every day is progress and every day is another day with Doug in mine and our families' and friends' lives. We hope for the best and deal with the worst.

The morning of 
Doug had a great night of sleep ... woo! This morning we have to do laundry and tidy up before we leave the house. Unfortunately, Doug cannot eat or drink anything this morning. Since he has surgery today, he has to fast from midnight forward. Part of my morning routine was showering, and I sat down in front of Doug just now to sip on coffee. I turned to him and said, "Ugh, I sliced my ankle with that disposable razor." His response, "Yeah and I cut my arm off." At least he still has his humor. Hopefully that continues through his pre-op at noon and his skin graft surgery at 1:30 p.m. They will likely be using skin from Doug's right thigh for the donor skin to place on his arm. We are told the donor site will feel like road rash for about a week. Doug's big ponder of the evening was, if they are taking his skin from his thigh, will his arm have long leg hair on it when it heals? We laughed, but I have a inkling that isn't quite how the process works. Thank you for the prayers related to his surgery today. We are hoping and praying for good results. We are also hoping this is the last surgery, the last long hospital stay and one of the last steps before we can go home again.