This afternoon my best beloved, also known (among other things) as the Smaller Portion and His High and Skinniness will undergo surgery. Again.
This will be his eighth abdominal surgery and IF this one works (which the surgeon doubts) he/we will go through the process twice more. Sigh. Same surgeon as the last four operations but a different hospital. Two bus trips away from me.
He is a difficult patient, prone to complications and a truly vile convalescent so I am likely to be largely absent from the blogosphere.
For all you brave souls who have taken on the A to Z challenge, consider me cheering you on from the side lines. Just a little more quietly than usual. I will miss everyone, alphabet players and otherwise. I relish the warmth and the wonder I have found here, but sometimes life takes priority. Dammit.
On a more positive note:
Monday was windy here. Very, very windy. One of my sisters-in-law rang, and we were discussing the wild and woolly weather. Just as we were winding the call up, so she could go and hang her washing, I heard a HUGE crash, and then a piercing shriek of 'oh shit'.
A significant part (over thirty feet) of a very large gum tree in the backyard had come crashing down onto the house. She could no longer get out the back door. Roof tiles were shattered. Roof trusses were damaged. The shade sail was in shreds. Emergency services have told her that she can not sleep in her bedroom until the remainder of the tree is removed. Electrical work will be required. The gutters will need to be replaced. Initial estimates put the damage bill at something approaching $15000, some of which will be covered by insurance.
On the plus side of the equation? She was inside and unharmed. If either of us had finished the call just a little earlier she would have been under that tree. And, since my brother is overseas being important, no-one would have known for some time.
Part of the roof is now under a tarpaulin and the expense and inconvenience are both there, but she is safe. Which is the only important thing. I hope this has established a positive precedent. With luck the skinny one will have a successful, complication free surgery and recovery and will come home prepared to play nicely. Please cross your fingers with me.
This will be his eighth abdominal surgery and IF this one works (which the surgeon doubts) he/we will go through the process twice more. Sigh. Same surgeon as the last four operations but a different hospital. Two bus trips away from me.
He is a difficult patient, prone to complications and a truly vile convalescent so I am likely to be largely absent from the blogosphere.
For all you brave souls who have taken on the A to Z challenge, consider me cheering you on from the side lines. Just a little more quietly than usual. I will miss everyone, alphabet players and otherwise. I relish the warmth and the wonder I have found here, but sometimes life takes priority. Dammit.
On a more positive note:
Monday was windy here. Very, very windy. One of my sisters-in-law rang, and we were discussing the wild and woolly weather. Just as we were winding the call up, so she could go and hang her washing, I heard a HUGE crash, and then a piercing shriek of 'oh shit'.
A significant part (over thirty feet) of a very large gum tree in the backyard had come crashing down onto the house. She could no longer get out the back door. Roof tiles were shattered. Roof trusses were damaged. The shade sail was in shreds. Emergency services have told her that she can not sleep in her bedroom until the remainder of the tree is removed. Electrical work will be required. The gutters will need to be replaced. Initial estimates put the damage bill at something approaching $15000, some of which will be covered by insurance.
On the plus side of the equation? She was inside and unharmed. If either of us had finished the call just a little earlier she would have been under that tree. And, since my brother is overseas being important, no-one would have known for some time.
Part of the roof is now under a tarpaulin and the expense and inconvenience are both there, but she is safe. Which is the only important thing. I hope this has established a positive precedent. With luck the skinny one will have a successful, complication free surgery and recovery and will come home prepared to play nicely. Please cross your fingers with me.
do what you need to do dear EC. If and when you can let us know how you and yours are doing. take care and know you are in my thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI am so very glad you sister-in-law was OK. That is terrifying.
ReplyDeleteLet's hope this surgery works they way it is supposed to and that His High and Skinniness will be a happy convalescent. Or at least bearable.
Make sure you take care of YOU as well.
Sue ~ our thoughts will be with you and the SO x Big Hugs
ReplyDeleteOh sweetheart, thoughts are definitely with you and his High Skinniness! Sending hugs to help see you through.
ReplyDeleteGlad your SIL is okay, now you take care of yourself please.
After we bought this house in Florida, we sold our house in Indiana BUT THE PAPERS HADN'T BEEN SIGNED YET. Then my big Maple tree fell into the house on OUR dime. Not the new buyers. It made me sick for several reasons. I loved that house. I had almost sold that house.
ReplyDeleteI had two very erroneous errors during two abdominal surgeries. BOTH were done by the same surgeon. Later, I had a different surgeon and things went smoothly. So it is most likely the surgeon's lack of finesse and ability where the unsuccessful operations are concerned. MUST you keep the same surgeon as long as he's in business? That alone is scary if it is true.
If the surgeon doubts the outcome, he might have a better idea of what he's capable of doing other than it's "his skinniness's" fault. MY surgeon blamed ME for not coming through his surgeries better than I did. Hey, I was UNCONSCIOUS! HE was the one doing the job!
All my best wishes and hopes for your beloved. Fingers crossed. I have been clearing eucalyptus because they do try to get into the house on windy days. So glad no one was injured.
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your hubby strength for the surgery and its aftermath. I assume you have received second opinions on why so many surgeries are necessary. We are having strong winds now too but no big trees near our new house. Unfortunately The Money Pit (still not on the market yet) has lots of potentially crushing trees surrounding it.
ReplyDeleteBoy...life certainly is a trial for you and the Skinny One all too often, EC. My best wishes are with you both. Patience is tried when dealing with a difficult patient! Hang in there, my dear. Grit your teeth, but don't grind them! :)
ReplyDeleteYour sister-in-law had luck on her side, that's for sure. Thank goodness she wasn't injured. The severe weather conditions down south are horrendous; lives lost and so much damage. And as I write the deadly, destructive storm continues thrashing and trashing a vast area. Devastating!
You take care of you and the Skinny One, EC....don't worry about us here in the blogger-sphere...just know you both are in our thoughts and our most positive wishes are with you at all times. Cuddles to the two Js. Hugs to you.
Lee says it all, everything I wanted to say!
DeleteI'm sending positive vibes, healing vibes for both of you. Remember to take some time to take care of you too, every day. No matter what!
I was told that gale was very, very scary. My gosh, I didn't know it was so bad!
Those of us who have large trees in their yards hate to hear that sound of the wind whipping around. What a horrible experience for your SIL but I am glad that it was only her house that was damaged. I do hope the insurance will pick up the whole bill.
ReplyDeleteKeeping good thoughts for "the smaller portion" and you. I had hoped he was better and would not have to go through any more surgeries. He has been through so much - and so have you.
Oh my goodness....not again. Your poor dear old man. I feel for the both of you. Fingers crossed for success over here.
ReplyDeleteHope the surgery went well and you recovery isn't too hard on the caregiver (you!). Yes, sometimes life does get in the way.
ReplyDeleteWell if this ain't another revolting development. So glad your sil is not injured and may this be the lucky one for his royal skinniness.
ReplyDeleteOh my heart skipped a beat there. so glad your sister-in-law was on the phone with you. Glad she didn't decide to hang the washing first and phone after. So glad she is okay.
ReplyDeleteI hope the surgery goes well for the skinny portion, eight surgeries with the promise of two more?? That could just about get him in the Guinness book of Records (*~*)
How I wish there could be a simple solution for him, with less stress for you.
All the very best to both of you, EC (and your sister-in-law!)
ReplyDeleteI'm off to the airport - see you in a few months :)
Am sending peace and healing and oodles of love!
ReplyDeleteALOHA from Honolulu,
ComfortSpiral
=^..^=
So sorry you and he must face this thing again. I know how it is....so, so sorry and wish you both a speedy recovery on to better things!
ReplyDeletefingers and toes are crossed, prayers going up, and gratitude that the SIL was not hurt. houses can be replaced. loved ones cannot. hugs to you in the meantime...
ReplyDeleteI am so hoping that this round of surgeries will be the final, the last, the ones that will take you and your beloved to a much needed place of recovery. I will miss you but will keep you in my heart and thoughts during this time. And one day I will see you back in my news feed and my heart will be glad. Hugs, dear one. :-)
ReplyDeleteMy fingers are crossed. I really hope this one works out :P
ReplyDeleteInsurance will only cover SOME of the damage?? I would be having one of my more pessimistic moments, saying "Who cares that I wasn't hurt, I have to come up with 7.5 grand!
Well firstly I hope his skinnyness is soon feeling better.
ReplyDeleteYour poor sister in law, does she live in the area affected by our huge rain storm, trees down everywhere here, our street tree lost a branch in the wind yesterday but no damage done.
Merle...........
omg, thanks goodness your sister in law is ok and sorry about his skinnyness, hope all goes extremely well this time around, will be thinking of you both
ReplyDeleteGood luck to you and to the skinny one for hi surgery. Bad luck about the tree, and that is all it is, just luck. Hopefully things can be repaired promptly. We shall patiently await your return.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness you two were still on the phone when the tree fell. Definitely a scary experience and an inconvenient time, but so glad your sister-in-law is fine.
ReplyDeleteI hope all goes well with the surgery and that it is complication free! I am keeping my fingers and my toes crossed. Here is to a happy and speedy recovery. Good luck with everything. *hugs*
~Jess
She would have been under that tree HANGING CLOTHES!? That sounds so odd to me. Did she plan to fasten them to the line with vice grip pliers.
ReplyDeleteWell, best luck to you and Skinny with this additional surgery. I probably haven't you when he wasn't having these surgeries, and I've known you for quite a while.
Remarkable...that's both devastating and divine at once. So glad you were on the phone at the time.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for the ongoing nightmares with your husband. I'll be sending healing thoughts and prayers. I'll really miss you, too. You've been my number one A-Z commenter, often the first and always hilariously funny. I don't know if you noticed but more folks have commented on your hysterical comments than anyone else's. Keep a smile. We'll keep the blogosphere warm for you.
I knew the SP was due for hospital and now the time has arrived. I can only wish both of you all the best and send positive thoughts your way. It seems so strange that it takes so much surgery to fix a problem and perhaps TWO more!!! I think it could be a record perhaps when relating to the same problem. I notice River suggested it could be.
ReplyDeleteRotten luck about your s-i-l's home but so thankful you perhaps talked a little longer than usual which kept her safe but what a darned inconvenience and also her being home alone too.
Two buses to to the hospital and two back? My friends that is awful but a better hospital perhaps makes it worthwhile. With your disability is it possible to get half-price taxi fares (in Perth people can do that) in which case just occasionally take a cab when feeling worn out. Just saying.
Once again, all the best to both of you. Hugs.
It never rains but it pours....wishing you both well....Hope all goes well....
ReplyDeletei really hope this surgery is the end of the ordeal for both of you.....
ReplyDeleteand sometimes a good chat is quite literally life saving
xo
I hope you both will get well soon. God bless!!! I will pray for you
ReplyDeletePues te mando un abrazo desde Murcia..y que vaya todo muy bien...
ReplyDeletePues te mando un abrazo desde Murcia..y que vaya todo muy bien...
ReplyDeleteOh dear, horrible, the body keeps put you and beloved with it. I wish you both the best EC.
ReplyDeleteI posted a video of my bells ringing on my blog, not very good quality due to old camera and my inexperience but you can hear them a bit, they sound much better in person, thinking of you both
ReplyDeleteThank goodness your sister in law was OK, what a fright! Sending love and strength to you and your partner for his surgery and recovery xx
ReplyDeleteEnormous hugs to you. Mayhem abounds, both medically and weather-wise! Keeping you in my thoughts, EC. May you keep your wits about you during and after the surgery...okay, your wits have already fled but hopefully you can find a nice cocoon filled with oblivion to cuddle up in.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad your sister-in-law was still inside the house!
My heart goes out to you both I wish him well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear everyone is safe. Sending much needed prayers your way! I pray the surgery is not a failure and your man will convalesce without complaints.
ReplyDeleteI'll be thinking of you and your husband. I do hope the surgery goes well.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to you both.
ReplyDeleteNot again, and more after? That does not sound quite right. The tree fall, she is lucky, yet still, the repair can be like hell, with its price. What is your brother doing overseas? Is this the brother who oft lands on those lovely isles?
ReplyDeleteShit really DOES happen, doesn't it? My best wishes for His High and Skinniness. I am still recovering from my last surgery, but it is going well, so I do understand. "Oh shit!" is never good to hear on the phone. Glad no one was hurt.
ReplyDeleteMy best wishes to you all at this difficult time. Life can be a bit of a bummer, can' t it?
ReplyDeleteDear EC
ReplyDeleteSending you both best wishes for a difficult time to come. Fingers crossed for you here in the UK!
Keep enjoying the gardens and make sure you do take some time for you.
Best wishes
Ellie
Sending many hugs and good vibes your way. So glad your SIL's situation only involved physical damage to the house.
ReplyDeleteTake your time, and do what you need to do! The love and good vibes will still be here when you come back.
ReplyDeleteIt's all crossed dear, you know how behind you both I am, and I'm thinking of you very much at present.
ReplyDelete"If either of us had finished the call just a little earlier she would have been under that tree." - you saved her life in a way. I'm so, so glad she was ok. Keep your chin up my lovely friend. X
Sending lots of healing thoughts, prayers and hugs to you and your other half for a successful surgery and recovery my friend.
ReplyDeleteI hope everything goes well. Take care of yourself and know you and your family are in my prayers. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteSo glad your sister was not harmed; I hope repairs go smoothly there. Sending lots and lots of positive wished across the equator - for you and your other half. The blogosphere will be here for whenever you need support - with many fingers crossed. All the best to you and those you love.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck to your best beloved and I'll say a prayer for him. So glad your SILs okay, too <3
ReplyDeleteWow, that was a true miracle! Thank God she wasn't hurt.
ReplyDeletePrayers for the surgery and recovery. May it go easy on both of you.
Firstly, your sister-in-law is VERY lucky. Thank goodness you were both on the phone at the time. Does not bear thinking about. No doubt your brother, overseas being important, was most relieved to hear all is well - apart from the obvious, which all things considered can be repaired.
ReplyDeleteAnd as for your beloved (truly vile convalescent or otherwise) I can only hope for all your sakes that the surgery will go well.
Busily crossing all my fingers - and toes - along with positive thoughts and a very big *hug*.
My mom always said, 'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.'
ReplyDeleteshe was nutz
Prayers flowing from Duluth, Minnesota, darling Sue. xxx
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts are with you... hope it all goes well:)
ReplyDeleteWarmest thoughts to you and the SP, dear EC. Stay strong and do look after you, as well as the invalid. Your SIL was lucky but oh, I feel so sorry for her. We have trees down but none on the house. (Fingers crossed!)
ReplyDeleteOh, EC, I know the dread feeling in the pit of the stomach as one undertakes the rounds of hospitals, waiting, trepidation and convalescence ... all the best to both of you. And your sister-in-law had what my grandfather called "sweepstakes luck". He was extremely lucky to escape completely unharmed in a mine explosion on one occasion, and always said it's why he never bothered to buy lottery tickets - he'd already had his sweepstakes luck.
ReplyDeleteI keep all my fingers crossed and the toes as well!! Darn, all those surgeries. I hope it does work out. Your sister-in-law has been lucky even though the costs are horrendous. Still better than getting killed by a gum tree. I hope you have better news the next time...
ReplyDeleteGood luck to the skinny portion!
love from me dear El Chi, and your sister, your lucky sister. Re The Patient: Is there another gastrointestinal surgeon he could try?
ReplyDeleteStill crossing them, and hoping you get some rest. And still thankful to high heaven that your SIL wasn't under that tree.
ReplyDeleteTyping this sentence with crossed fingers, which had led to many typos. Best wishes to you both. So many surgeries could render one's life a nightmare - so good for him to have you. Looking forward to good news.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I'm so glad you were on the phone with her and she wasn't out there hanging clothes! I was doing yard work a couple of weeks ago and my youngest was helping me. He got bored so I told him to do a nature hunt. We have woods behind our house and there's no leaves yet so I can see far and wide. I told him to just stay close and where I can see him. He'd just gotten back there and a big tree cracked and fell in half the OTHER direction. That was enough nature hunting to last a lifetime and I was very thankful it was not too close of a call, but it was sure close enough!
ReplyDeleteSending over so many good thoughts to you for both his surgery and recovery process/time! I hope the doctor is wrong and it truly does turn out to be a huge success!
Thinking of both of you and sending love your way. We heard about your terrible weather here in NZ, I'm glad nothing happened to your sister-in-law, although the clear-up will be a bugger.
ReplyDeleteSending love your way! Hoping that the Smaller Portion does as well as possible through this round - and that circumstances are gentle for you. And a sigh of relief for your sister-in-law! Destruction is disruptive, but very glad she wasn't harmed!
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the Smaller Portion's surgery. Hoping all goes well.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear of the troubles. Wishing for the best.
ReplyDeleteOh dear that is gonna be rough for you to deal with.....hoping for the best. Take all the time you need
ReplyDeleteI heard about this from River Fairchild and was so sorry to hear it. I hope the surgery goes well and your husband's recovery will be smooth. Take care.
ReplyDeleteHey E.C.,
ReplyDeleteGood grief... what a week you've had.... seriously.
Sending positive thoughts and prayers for your husband - and the surgeon - hopefully this will be the LAST surgery needed (after the two follow ups you mentioned.
Best wishes to your sister-in-law, too... as you implied... it could have been a whole lot worse...
Chat soon - and if you miss any "Donald" letters, I'll keep you in the loop - just let me know :)
Here's thinking of you and yours. Big massive cyber-hug for you.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
Thank you so much, one and all.
ReplyDeleteSending love and healing energy and thoughts from the other side of the world to you both. That phone call just might have saved a life, or certainly bodily harm. Buildings are better damaged than people.
ReplyDeleteStay strong!
That tree story gives me shivers every time I think of it. I guess you can say she is extraordinarily lucky, in the perverse ways of the universe. It's a good thing you two were having a good chat! And that she's the sort to stay tethered to a phone and not go about her business with a headset on. Even so, the thought of that mess and expense is painful.
ReplyDeleteI once stood at my kitchen window and suddenly started hearing the creepiest sound… I looked up in time to see a huge redwood just on the other side of the window, oscillating wildly as it was about to come down. A friend was working in the garden on that side of the house and could see it too. With both became mesmerized. There wasn't really any time to react, but only realize that this very strange thing was about to happen... By some miracle it missed the house. I can't imagine if it had come crashing through the roof like that! Terror!
I suppose the terror of waiting for a tree to fall down in front of you is a pretty decent metaphor for more surgery with the Skinny One… My fingers have been, and are, firmly crossed for you.