Unexpected Surgery

[arkienurse]

DH started complaining of his tummy hurting Wednsday. He ate some of his supper. By Thurs he didn't eat at all. Yesterday we ended up in the ER at 8 am. After spending a few hours down there waiting on a room, we got in his room at noon. About 130 the surgeon came by, and by 2 they had him in surgery for an incarcerated hernia ( that is where your intestines get stuck inside the hernia area and are losing blood supply). Luckily we had an excellent surgeon and he is doing ok today, except wanting something to drink and he still can't have anything. But we are expecting to be in for around a week. Thank God I work for the hospital and all of the room and surgery expenses will be covered. We will have to pay for the doctor's fees since we haven't met our deductible, but that is nothing compared to the charges for surgery and the room.

If those of you that pray would pray for a continued speedy recovery I would sure appreciate it.

[BassBoy]

Sending my prayers and thoughts to your husband and you. I'll also pray for a speedy, and full, recovery.

[SinkingFast]

Oh My!! Arkie!!

From your description, it sounds like you were able to catch this early. Hopefully there was no permanent damage and Hubby will suffer no lingering after effects.

You and Hubby are definitely in our prayers for quick healing from the hand of God!!

[lrprn]

If those of you that pray would pray for a continued speedy recovery I would sure appreciate it.

I'll be praying for your husband's uneventful recovery every day until you tell us he's ok and home doing well - keep us posted, ok? I'm an RN too (critical care) so PM me if it would help to share the nitty-gritty medical details nurse to nurse - glad to listen any time!

We also had to deal with an unexpected hospitalization 12 days after we filed Ch 13. We were very fortunate - our local hospital works with a special third party company who sets up payment plans for patients with limited ability to pay their hospital and doctor bills - that's us 13ers for sure! They agreed to a payment of $25/month for us with the ability to pay more without penalty if we have a month where that's possible. Hopefully your DH's hospital and doctors have a similar low payment option for you too - I'll be praying for that as well!

You are in our thoughts and prayers as well, arkie - hang in there!

[InLimbo]

You, your husband and your family are in our prayers. We pray the Lord may comfort you during this time and a speedy recovery for the holidays!

[arkienurse]

Thanks so much everyone for the good thoughts and prayers. Yes, we caught it in time. My BIL toghed it out longer and ended up in ICU for 3 days because part of his intestines had died. He had a bad infection and was hospitalized for weeks.

I know the prayers are helping. When he had his ruptured appendix 13 years ago he didn't do very good, so I was really dreading this surgery. He was so cranky last time I actually left the room crying one time because he snapped at me.
But he got up and walked the hallways several times today, the foley came out by noon, and he was able to go past the every 4 hours for pain meds without being in bad pain. He only had 2 doses today, one at 2, and one right before I left for the night. If all goes well, we expect him to have clear liquid breakfast, and maybe soft diet by supper time tomorrow. He sent me home and I felt that he was doing well enough by himself that I could go and not worry about him. He has a couple of good nurses on the day shift. The RN is working a 16 hr shift today, so we had her from 7 this morning and until 11 tonight. The LPN is on from 3 until 6 tomorrow morning. I like having the nurses lap over like that. That way tonight, the LPN can tell the night shift RN exactly what has gone on, things that may not be in the chart. And the RN will be back at 6:30 tomorrow and I am quite sure we will have her again.

Again thanks for thinking about us. I know in my heart it is helping more than anyone imagines.

[jane taylor]

I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. PM me anytime you need a "cybershoulder" on which to cry. May God bless and comfort you as your husband recovers and you care for him. My husband was in so much pain from his colon resection surgery this summer that he was SO irritable. I cried, too, because he snapped at me when I couldn't do something fast enough for him.

Peace,
jane

[arkienurse]

We are home from the hospital

I will definitely keep you in my thoughts and prayers. PM me anytime you need a "cybershoulder" on which to cry. May God bless and comfort you as your husband recovers and you care for him. My husband was in so much pain from his colon resection surgery this summer that he was SO irritable. I cried, too, because he snapped at me when I couldn't do something fast enough for him.

Peace,
jane

That last time, he snapped at me because when the doctor came in, I mentioned that he was wheezing when he breathed. I thought he had pneumonia, turns out he was having an asthma attack.

We got to come home Sunday, and everything is going so much easier than the last time did. Hubby has been up and about. Just took his first shower and I changed the bandage- no signs of infection, no fresh drainage, but I bet that drain hurts coming out.

I appreciate all the prayer and good thoughts from everyone.

[SinkingFast]

WoooHooo!! Arkie!!

Thanks for the update!! I was just thinking about you guys today and wondering how things were going!!

So glad to hear your Hubby is doing well!!

[lrprn]

Great news, Arkie! So glad to hear your hubby is back at home and everything is going well. Let's hope that drain just slips right out when the time comes! Take care - please keep giving us updates as he progresses and let us know if there's anything we can do for you.