# Dondra Not Doing Well

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789>\
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\
**Created:** [October 6, 2011, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789 "2011-10-06T15:00:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 6

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**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/101 "2011-10-11T20:08:48Z")

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Wow! I hope that means she’s feeling a whole lot better.

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**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/102 "2011-10-11T20:12:55Z")

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Yowza - 14 days in bed? I guess they weren’t able to do it laparascopically then?

(I remembed coming to after mine, first word was “cold”, second was “lap?”).

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/103 "2011-10-11T20:44:02Z")

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It was done laparoscopically, but they now want to put her on Coumadin, and that will take a couple more days to regulate. Also, the lung doctors are still puzzled, so they’re not signing off on her yet. She’s in the room now, but way still under the effects of the anesthesia.

Thanks, Guys!

Bill

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**Author:** ![Satchmo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/satchmo/32/4223_2.png) [@Satchmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Satchmo)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/104 "2011-10-11T21:06:43Z")

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Just caught up with the last two days of posts, glad she’s out of surgery. Super glad they got that bladder out now. Sounds like that must have been causing a lot of pain. When my sisters had theirs out, they both said the pain after was nothing compared to the pain before. Remember to take care of yourself Quasi!

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**Author:** ![PapSett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ecc23a/32.png) [@PapSett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PapSett)\
**Post date:** [October 11, 2011, 11:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/105 "2011-10-11T23:38:29Z")

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Sounds like Dondra is moving in the right direction Bill. You guys have been on my mind a lot; I was planning on calling you this past weekend but _life_ had other plans for me and I was busy trying to get my AC/furnace repaired among other little inconveniences. ❤

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/106 "2011-10-12T00:50:26Z")

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I’m sitting by **D** feeding her ice chips, and my friend **Bethie** just called us ( **janice and co.** ), as she has several times since we’ve been here. She’s just one example of how kind y’all have been to us, and we appreciate it a LOT!

**D** is in a LOT of pain, so I try not to talk to her too much, but I’m being her 60’s deejay off the laptop,

Here’s one of a bunch she likes: [The Temptations - The Way You Do The Things You Do - YouTube](http://youtu.be/cDakhsaPTE0)

Thanks,

Bill

PS: Thanks also to those of you who’re concerned about the “German Boy”, but I’m fine! 🙂

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**Author:** ![IvoryTowerDenizen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ivorytowerdenizen/32/17937_2.png) [@IvoryTowerDenizen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/IvoryTowerDenizen)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/107 "2011-10-12T00:52:03Z")

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You two are so sweet to each other.

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**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/108 "2011-10-12T01:02:32Z")

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Glad the surgery went well…and here’s hoping it’s a turning point for **Dondra**.  
(She gets her name bolded too, right?)

-D/a

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/109 "2011-10-12T01:07:15Z")

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nm

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/110 "2011-10-12T01:09:52Z")

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Yep. She’s just as special (in a different way, of course) as _you_ are, **Dig’**! 😉

Quasi

PS: **PapSett** , we were in your thoughts, that’s enough! 🙂

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**Author:** ![Buttercup\_Smith](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/buttercup_smith/32/473_2.png) [@Buttercup\_Smith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Buttercup_Smith)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/111 "2011-10-12T01:26:36Z")

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Get well soon wishes from her too. All the best to you both.

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/112 "2011-10-12T03:27:16Z")

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**TubaDiva** ,

You’re correct, it does seem like we’ve had our share of bad luck, but being a Doper somehow makes it easier to bear.

It’s good “therapy” for me to come here and share some “family time”, and I don’t know what I’d do without you and everyone on our message board. It sure would leave a big hole in my heart if you _weren’t_ in my life.

Thanks for everything you, and all my Doper Brothers and Sisters have done for me/us.

Because of you, we’ll weather _this_ storm and those yet to come.

Bill and Dondra

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**Author:** ![Taomist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/53a042/32.png) [@Taomist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taomist)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/113 "2011-10-12T04:17:52Z")

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{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ **Bill** and **Dondra** }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Those are hugs, right? 🙂

While I’m sorry for the troubles you are going through, I am so glad you have shared them; the support and responses have made ME all warm and fuzzy inside, too.

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 6:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/114 "2011-10-12T06:52:42Z")

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> [@E-Sabbath](#):
>
> Oh boy. I’ve been away, down to visit my grandfather for his 90th. I know Dondra means the world to you, Quasi, and I’m glad things seem… at least, stable now.
> 
> I once brushed my teeth, then used the toothpaste again for shaving cream. I want you to think about how that wound up. Oh GOD that stung.

:D:D:D **E** , buddy! Thanks for wriring, and happy birthday to your grandfather! Wow! 90! That’s awesome.

And YIKES! on the toothpaste on the face!:eek:

I don’t know if he was joking, but my Dad once told me, he was reaching for the Preparation H, but got the Ben Gay, instead.

“I got to work 20 minutes early”, he said.;)😃

And yeah, **Dondra’s** a very special and loving lady.

She’d HAVE to be, to put up with _me_, wouldn’t she?

Thanks for your words, my friend!

Bill

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**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\
**Post date:** [October 12, 2011, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/115 "2011-10-12T12:55:49Z")

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> [@Quasimodem](#):
>
> I don’t know if he was joking, but my Dad once told me, he was reaching for the Preparation H, but got the Ben Gay, instead.
> 
> “I got to work 20 minutes early”, he said.;)😃

Hah! If he wasn’t joking, I can believe that must have been one hell of a jumpstart to his morning!

When I was little, I had the chickenpox, and my dad got shingles. He also had a broken foot at the time, and the shingles, combined with the pressure and rubbing from the crutches, were really making his armpits achy and sore. So he figured Ben Gay might help… I laughed my ass off as he hopped around on one foot, flapping his arms and howling like a basset hound. Poor guy.

Heh heh.

Anyway, I’m really glad to hear that the Gigantic Gallbladder of Grossness is G-O-N-E. You’re both very lucky to have each other.

Now play that lady some [Marvin and Tammi](http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=marvin+gaye+tammi+terrell&aq=2&oq=marvin+gaye+ta). Always makes _me_ feel better!

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**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/116 "2011-10-13T02:05:04Z")

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Quasi - I have a nice photo of you and Dondra when we had dinner last spring. May I post it and share the link? I won’t do so without your permission!!

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/117 "2011-10-13T02:26:37Z")

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**Mama Z**

Of course you can.

The wifi here is horrendous, so this may be the only time I can post, but I can read from my yahoo account.

D is getting up to go the bathroom, although she’s still in a lot of pain. She’s doing her incentive sprirometry exercises, but still gets short of breath so she’s on O2.

We don’t know yet when we’ll get to go home. We had hoped it would be tomorrow, but they’re not talking like it.

Yes, **Heart** , the gallbladder from hell is out, but it was so large they had to keep drawing bile out of it, to make it small enough to fit into the bag.

Maybe since she’s up and around, albeit slowly, it might not take the entire 14 days to recuperate.

Since I don’t drive anymore, a couple of our friends will come and the husband will drive us as his wife follows, thereafter I’ll be taken to the grocery and drug store to pick up enough drugs and foodstuffs to get us through a week at least, so we don’t have to inconvenience anyone else. I already do most of the house cleaning, so except for doctoring **Dondra** (she’s going to fix her own daily meds from the bed), it won’t be anything tough I’ll be doing once we get home.

Thanks for the song, **Heart** , she loved it!

Thanks, y’all

Bill and Dondra

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/118 "2011-10-13T05:18:52Z")

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**Dondra’s** started running a temp tonight (102). Blood cultures have been drawn, as well as a urine specimen taken to lab. We’re thinking atelectasis, but no chedst x ray has been ordered as of yet.

Atelectasis sets in when a post-operatve patient doesn’t cough or deep breathe with the aid of incentive spirometry. It sometimes happens when the patient is under general anesthesia and is being breathed through an endotracheal tube by the anesthesiologist. The patient avoids deep breathing afterward because of the pain at the operative aite. Pneumonia can be the result of atelectasis, sometimes referred to as “whiteout”.

The blood cultures have to incubate, but the urine specimen might reveal a kidney infection. **D’s** is very concentrated, even though she’s been drinking clear liquids.

I sometimes wish I didn’t remember so much about my days as an RT\>

Thanks

Bill

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**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/119 "2011-10-13T06:39:06Z")

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The Rev. Sylvester Graham for his crackers, Dr. George Washington Carver for the peanut, J.M. Smucker for turning those peanuts into that delicious peanut _butter_, and last but not least, the nurses here who are providing these for me, for my middle of the night “hongries”.

Some friends are bringing containers of Snapple tea, so I don’t have to pay $1.50 per bottle out of the machine, and, since **D** can’t ever finish her meals, I get to eat the leftovers!😉 She’s actually on a clear liquid diet, so for now I’m eating in the cafeteria. I used to be on a clear liquid diet: Vodka, Gin and Rum! 🙂

One thing I _don’t_ like is that even though she’s a patient here, **D** /we has to pay to park. No other Wellstar hospital charges its patients to park - only visitors, so everyone here has to pay $5.00 a day.☹

Tomorrow I have to go home to wash clothes, so a friend will drive me, and then my bro will bring me back.

That’s it for tonight. **D** is sleeping and I think her fever has broken, so let’s see what happens with that.

Thanks

Q

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**Author:** ![Typo\_Knig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@Typo\_Knig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Typo_Knig)\
**Post date:** [October 13, 2011, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dondra-not-doing-well/598789/120 "2011-10-13T12:06:59Z")

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Hang in there, Quasi! I think your knowledge is helping you. I hope D gets well soonest!

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