Update
By DianneN
@DianneN (247186)
United States
August 31, 2016 5:36pm CST
I apologize for neglecting you all and my notifications. Life has hit us hard.
Hubby's spinal stenosis surgery began two hours late and lasted six hours, two hours looking for his arterial artery which was finally located by Dopplar Radar. It resulted in a black and blue, needle pricked palm and left arm, and a numb left thumb.
A neurological physiologist tested each nerve in the operating room, but left him pretty marked up, head and all.
He can't lift his right arm.
His surgeon told me it would take anywhere from six to eighteen months to heal, yet there is a one in twenty chance he won't.
After 24 hours in intensive care, he was transferred to a lovely private room from Friday night and was discharged Sunday evening.
He is in a lot of pain. He has a neck brace and isn't sleeping well. I've been taking good care of him. I dole out his meds, massage his head, back, and shoulders, bathe, and on occasion spoon feed him if necessary. He doesn't have much of an appetite and drinks through a straw. I have cleaned up spilled glasses of water, toppled bowls, and a dropped telephone. I walk through the house with him as often as he can do it.
In between, I vacuum, clean Doodles's litter box, walk and feed Doodles, shop, pick up prescriptions, do laundry, clean, cook, get the newspaper and mail, deal with phone calls, texts, visiting nurses and occupational therapists, and sleep.
I couldn't do this without the support of our younger son, who has been a tremendous help and loving person throughout this past week. So have our friends and family. So have you.
I want to thank those of you who have left such heartwarming and caring comments, prayers, and messages, here and on Facebook. You are the BEST!
I will try to stop by when I can. I'm so sorry not to have the time for you right now.
By the way, Doodles hasn't left my side. The photo shows him in my room while I was on the phone my first night after leaving the hospital.
39 people like this
40 responses
@jaboUK (64354)
• United Kingdom
1 Sep 16
I'm sure all of us quite understand that you have no time for us right now. Thank you for taking the trouble to update us. I hope the pain lessens soon for your husband and that he progresses well. Look at it this way, there are 19 out of 20 chances that he will heal completely.
Pretty good odds.
10 people like this
@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Sep 16
I'm glad he's made it this far and is home with you since I know how it is running back and forth to the hospital before discharge. When you say he's up walking with you, is he actually walking or in a wheelchair. If walking, that's encouraging. If not, at least he is able to get out of the bed periodically. Is it the incision and surgical area that could take so long to heal?
I hope and pray that he heals faster than anyone foresees and the pain diminishes over time and he regains all feeling especially where he was poked.
5 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
5 Sep 16
He can walk and has no wheelchair. The muscles and tendons that were cut make it so painful. Oddly enough, the staples in his incision don't bother him. His main problem is that he can't lift his arms right now. Ugh! We will see the doctor Friday. Many thanks, Marsha.
2 people like this
@CinnamonGrl (7084)
• Santa Fe, New Mexico
31 Aug 16
I am SO sorry you and your hubby are going through this. It is nice of you to even poke your head in here. A dozen years ago, I had extensive spine surgery. .I can almost feel what your husband is going through all over again. It's a good thing Doodles is there to help you out, lol. Best wishes and good healing to your hubby and to you too.
5 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
1 Sep 16
@DianneN - I'm so sorry that your husband is suffering in this way. I know it is hard on you, too. It was very difficult for a while after my husband had his heart attack two years ago. Please stay in touch and let us all know how both of you are doing. You will both be in my prayers.
4 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
6 Sep 16
@DianneN - I'm so sorry that there has not been a change in him, yet. I'm sure that it has been very exhausting for you. Don't worry about your notifications. We'll be here when life eases up for you.
1 person likes this
@thelme55 (77081)
• Germany
31 Aug 16
Hello Dianne! I understand that and I am sure other mylotters, too. Take your time and have a rest in between. It's always good to have family and friends who can help us in this kind of situation. I was in your shoes in July when my father was in the hospital dying. Thank God he is a fighter and is feeling well now. Give you hubby a hug from me. Take care
4 people like this
@marguicha (223108)
• Chile
1 Sep 16
Take good care of your husband, dear. I hope for a quick recovery. Love is the best medicine.
4 people like this
@lealuvy2j (1986)
• Philippines
31 Aug 16
Get well soon to your hubby. He will be included in my prayers. It is good that you have a wonderful support system while you are having a tough time. I truly admire your strength.
3 people like this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
1 Sep 16
You know my prayers and thoughts are with you and hubs and we are all here to support you.
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (51020)
• Canada
1 Sep 16
Oh I'm so thankful to read this!
I'm glad that he's home, that should be a little easier on you so that you don't have to rush up to the hospital, but a busy time. I hope that he gets a little better each and every day.
Thank goodness for Mr Doodles, he is the prince of the day for you!
3 people like this
@Juliaacv (51020)
• Canada
5 Sep 16
@DianneN You're the nurse that can be the only one to give him the tender loving care that he needs to fully recover. I just hope that your son and fiancée are looking in on you so that you don't exhaust yourself, cuz in that case, I don't know how much little Mr Doodles can do for the 2 of you.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
5 Sep 16
@Juliaacv Lol! Doodles is by our sides, constantly. My son is here as often as possible. Otherwise he calls and texts throughout the day. Both sons and their respective women have been awesome. Our friends have proven what true friends are like. I'll keep on nursing, as long as it takes, Julia. He's the love of my life.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
5 Sep 16
Doodles has been happy enjoying ice cream, milk left over from cereal, and pudding. Now that my hubby is home, I find that it was much easier visiting him in the hospital. Just when I got used to finding my way around, I find I am the nurse in charge right now.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
1 Sep 16
Yes,first hubby need your care.All of us here understand.things first.Doodles sense all of this and he is trying to show his support to you and your husband.This will take time.Take it slow.Do not worry about us.It is us worry about you.Good luck.Best to your man.
4 people like this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
1 Sep 16
Do not worry about us, we'll be here whenever you get back! I am glad to hear at least your husband is out of hospital, and on the road to recovery
Best wishes and thoughts going out to you. :D
2 people like this
@Drosophila (16571)
• Ireland
9 Sep 16
@DianneN aww.. I hope he will get better soon
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
10 Sep 16
@Drosophila Thank you. The doctor told us yesterday that it should take another 4-6 weeks.
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
1 Sep 16
i hope his right arm heals soon. i hope you take care of yourself, too. is it hard for him to sleep in bed? how about in a recliner?
2 people like this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
6 Sep 16
@DianneN i wonder why. what do the nurses and occupational therapists say?
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247186)
• United States
8 Sep 16
@hereandthere The doctor said it would be a very painful surgery, and recovery could take a long time. He had to cut through muscles and tendons, and I'm sure nerves, too. The meds just take the edge off. We will visit the doctor tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@Tampa_girl7 (50270)
• United States
4 Sep 16
I hope that your husband heals rapidly.
2 people like this