Tough day

Pain really hit Gabe hard today. He started having bladder spasms, common in people who've had bladder augmentation from what I hear. And trust me, they are NOT fun. It was a long day for both of us. Fortunately, Gabe is able to take a medication that helps relax the bladder and lets him get some rest. However, he fought it. Gabe has never been one to take liquid medicines. We tried to get him to take it a couple times. He'd either refuse, spit it out or vomit. His nerves are shot. He's angry and tired. Now that his throat isn't so sore, we're going to try a pill. He's saving some fruit punch for the occasion.

Speaking of fruit punch, he's allowed to have broths, jello, popcicles and juices. Hurray! He was chugging some apple juice earlier and I had to stop him. He looked at me and said, "But it's so good!"

The pain management team has also changed the medicine in his epidural. It seems to be working pretty well. Well, except when the nurse discovered his superpubic catheter was leaking from around his belly. She had to flush it and change the bandages. Gabe, as you can imagine, didn't tolerate that very well. It was difficult enough to watch.

He's resting a little more comfortably now. He's even been pointing out funny things on TV and he talked to Brian for a minute.

So the day seems it might end a little better than it started. Here's hoping it lasts.