The hospital told me yesterday that they were pretty certain that the smaller portion would be discharged today. To say I was not happy would be an understatement. He was still on oxygen, not eating and not walking and by my standards NOT READY TO COME HOME. They weren't listening to me though.
In the early hours of this morning the hospital rang to say that the smaller portion was in Intensive Care with breathing and heart problems. Aaaaaaargh. I have spent the morning there, and he is now looking better. Still on oxygen but it doesn't sound as if each breath will be his last. They now believe the problem is clots on the lungs and are running more tests. I will go up again shortly. And fortunately they are taking preemptive action and are treating him for the clots. And no, he won't be coming home in the short term.
And as an aside, when they rang this morning they said they were going to trim his beard so the oxygen mask sealed better. THEY HAVE SHAVED IT OFF. AND HIS MOUSTACHE. And while we have been together for over thirty years I have never seen his chin before. And he thinks it is close to forty years since anyone has seen it. Small price to pay I think (the loss of the face fungus I mean).
Bless you BOTH!
ReplyDeleteHang in there, friend-
Aloha from Honolulu
Comfort Spiral
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My God...! Hugs. Like a sick joke...yeah, be careful what you wish for....arggghhhh!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I am sorry to hear that he has had complications. I hope he will improve very soon. I know what you mean about the facial hair, Hubbers shaved his off last year after 27 with it...I barely recognized him.
ReplyDeleteYou were right that the smaller portion wasn't ready to come home your instincts were spot on. I've still got my fingers and toes crossed for a good outcome until then hang in there the worst could be over :-).
ReplyDeleteUgh! Complications. But at least you get to see his whole face now. I hope he continues to improve and gets home soonish.
ReplyDeleteThank you all. Good news. No blood clots and his heart is fine. So they are starting to treat the fluid on his lungs aggressively. Poor possum, they have collapsed the veins in both arms and the bruises are amazing. Started into his ankles now. But he is on the improve again. Staying in Intensive Care for the moment. Good. They listen to me there and they talk to me. Though I got into trouble when a surgeon introduced himself as 'only a humble surgeon' and I said that no surgeon was humble. Oops.
ReplyDeleteOh oh oh, I have been locked out of my feedreader for the last week or so thanks to weird google blips, and I've only just caught up... you poor thing! And poor sp. I'm wishing him a solid recovery and you a smooth passage through the hospital shite. Lots of good thoughts, finger crossing, and all that sort of thing. You need to repost that elephant seal, give us all a giggle. I now think about him when I need one.
ReplyDeleteThe reason they don't listen is because they see the patient all the time but when you go in, your eyes are fresh and you pick up the changes.
ReplyDeleteKeep him there as long as possible while you read up on colostomies and how to handle them. Men don't take to them as easily as women. I think you said they were going to reverse it later but have a good think about that.
Now you can say "keep your chin up" and really mean it.
ReplyDeleteOh no, it is worse, just when I was hoping it was getting better. Still he is now where he needs to be and hopefully will stay a little longer till it is all sorted. I don't get why they keep trying to discharge people who are not ready. Gov't cost cutting I suspect.
ReplyDeleteImagine finally seeing his chin after all these years, lol.
Stay strong xxx
I am so glad he didn't come home just to go back in the hospital. You were right, you knew better than they did, he wasn't ready to come home. I'm keeping you both in my thoughts and hoping for the best.
ReplyDeleteI'll echo DJan - better that his complications occurred in hospital than at home, and even better still that they proved brief and not too severe! I will never understand why hospitals persist in discharging people prematurely...to free up the bed? So many times that patient will end up being readmitted in worse shape, so where's the efficiency or savings in that? I am so glad things worked out well for you both this time! Things will surely improve here on in. But try to hold back on the chin jokes until smaller portion can laugh heartily without hurting himself!
ReplyDeleteGood advice!
ReplyDeleteI am so pleased to read no blood clots. Thinking of you. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you all for your support. It has meant a lot. He looks so much better today. They are talking about moving out of ICU tonight or tomorrow and he immediately thought that this meant he could go home tomorrow. Fortunately one of the nurses told him flatly that he had no chance of going home while he is still on oxygen. A person of sense. I was so grateful I nearly kissed her.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness. I hope he's out of the ICU soon! I hope it's a better day.
ReplyDeletePS Re: "Humble surgeon." I couldn't have listened to that with a straight face either!
ReplyDeleteHi Paper Chipmunk. Thanks. Much, much better day. Which will hopefully continue. And the surgeon making his witticism really thought that he was a hoot. Puke, retch, vomit. No patience with the pretentious.
ReplyDeletesounds scary, sending good vibes!
ReplyDeletei remember my dad had different periods with or without beard, it was like he was two completely different people. one santa clausish older man, and one youngerish. sounds like a new good beginning to be, the shaving of the beard;)
Agreeing with Pia... a new lease on life, a new look. Maybe buy him some new socks that he'd never wear, like blue Italian silk with those little black garters. Boxers with black skulls.
ReplyDeleteToo much too soon?
Hang in there, looks like you've got a great support system here!
Thanks Pia and Spectra. Yes, I have been fortunate with the support I have been getting. Has meant a lot. He is still in intensive care while they run a few more scans. Fine by me. He gets better care there and they talk to me. This afternoon I will take him up a mirror so he too can see the revised person.
ReplyDeleteHave just read the last couple of weeks' posts in one go, and oh gosh, what a lot to have going on. I hope things sort out with your beloved's lungs soon. You don't realise what a beautiful pleasure it is to breathe until you see someone struggling with it. Meanwhile, though, ICU is an excellent place to be. You take care of your brave heart - it must be a bit sore.
ReplyDeleteSo glad it was a "much" better day! May it continue in that direction!!
ReplyDelete"Puke, retch, vomit. No patience with the pretentious." I see you delight in dealing with medical people as much as I do... gag.