Medical Spouse/Supporter's Pending Open Heart Surgery

[Tornadic Thoughts]

Thanks, @berlinda , et al. I'm still worried, in pain, worn out, had a minor meltdown when I got lost, again, trying to get out of the huge hospital tonight (the building I needed to go through was locked, but 2 very helpful staff members came along and eventually escorted me through the locked areas) to get back to the hotel....but thankfully, my husband made it through the almost 6 hour surgery like a trooper with no complications, looks incredibly well to have gone through such an ordeal, is experiencing a lot of pain as the anesthesia wears off, and is now resting somewhat comfortably in ICU overnight.

Even though I'm just across the street, I feel guilty for not staying there with him all night, but my body can't handle the chair nor the smells. His brother was there most of the day and that helped a lot, but he left before it got dark.

I'm so f'n grateful and hoping my body and mind can hang in there the rest of the week. Meanwhile, I need to try to sleep so I can be up at 4ish again. Thay're doing x-rays around that time and will be getting him up into the chair at 5:30 a.m. Thanks again for the thoughts and healing energies. Gentle heart hugs to all.

 

[Tinyflame]

Gentle heart hugs to all.

To you too @Tornadic Thoughts :hug: ?.

 

[Justmehere]

Yay! I'm so glad he made it through surgery well and you are getting some solid rest tonight. ICU is an intense place. Every day that goes by from here means he is more and more out of the woods and on the way to being on his feet again. Don't hesitate to take breaks as you need from the hospital. Those that I have known that have gone through this have all said they got really tired of someone always checking on them all hours of the night and day, and sometimes having occasional times alone helped. I hope it continues to go well. Thanks for the update!

 

[Teasel]

So pleased he came through it ok and the op was a success.

Agree with Justmehere, try not to feel guilty for looking after you too, you're going through an awful lot yourself and carers need care too.

Keep us posted with how things go? :hug:

 

[ladee]

Wonderful to hear the surgery went so well and he is doing so good!

Agreeing with others about you taking care of yourself. I get that same kind of anxiety when I get lost or turned around in a building. It's a horrible feeling.

Hope you rested well. Thanks for the update. Let him know we are thinking of him and wishing him a wonderful recovery. Take care of YOU TT!! :hug:

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

He made it out of ICU today into a "step down" room and was untethered from several tubes/sensors/etc....walked to his new room on his own with the support of a walker, and us right behind him with a chair if needed. His vitals were good during that. His appetite is coming back now with no nausea. Blood work, x-rays, etc. look good. The beats have increased some, but per the surgeon, nothing to be alarmed about and it's being closely monitored.

We both have a bit of anxiety feeling like, okay, so what could go wrong since everything is going so "well", but we don't let each other stay in that mindset. I found a reader's digest joke book in the gift shop and that's been fun. Some tv, some music, some reading, some word find puzzles, some rest, some food, sharing stories, sharing heartfelt sentiments that we would never want to know we didn't share when we had the chance, and some incredibly amazing and compassionate staff have made the days fairly smooth.

I'm back at the hotel now with my aching meat coated skeleton and plan to call before I crash to check on the heart rate scene and tell him goodnight and sleep in until 6:30ish before I head back over. Here's hoping for more forward momentum in the safest, gentlest, and most loving ways possible. Oh yeah, and I made it a point to leave before dark and found my way out of the building tonight. :) I also tracked down the gentleman who helped me last night and got his bosses contact info so I can make them aware of what a huge impact his kindness had on me.

Night y'all...may we all have a peaceful slumber and a kind rest of the week. Much love heading your way. Zzzzzzzz...

 

[ladee]

Wonderful news TT!! Hope you get some good rest and get all the 'world stink' off of ya. Sending hugs and love to both of you.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

He continues to amaze me, as do the staff who are so compassionately and mindfully tending to him. My heart is so full and the tears I've been shedding as of late are celebratory and full of gratitude. Wow. There's still worry, but it's currently riding in the backseat vs. taking over the driver's seat or riding shotgun.

Love, hugs, and wishes for more of what today felt like. I wish I could package these feelings and share them with everyone. He was tickled to know that folks from all over the map from here were/are wishing him well and sending good mojo. He asked me to thank you all.

I ended up helping others who were lost today as I much more confidently navigated my way back and forth. I also found some signs stressing "Clean Air Facility", specifically regarding it being smoke-free, so I tucked some of my fragrance-free fliers and canary in the coal mine of life bookmarks where they could clearly be seen to plant a few seeds for folks who never think about how disabling they can be.

 

[Teasel]

So happy for the both of you :D onwards and upwards ?

 

[Rumors]

My husband is a couple weeks post op. Other than coughing or sneezing, he is pretty good. He isn't a supporter to me, but yes it was hard! Make sure he sucks on that Voldyne. That helps make the pain go away.

 

[Tornadic Thoughts]

He said thanks for that handy tip, @Rumors . He has it sitting within reach and is starting to increase how often he uses it, especially after receiving that advice. Thank you.

The doc said he can go home tomorrow, if he feels up to it, and nothing changes overnight. I've packed everything up and am ready to roll when I get the call letting me know it's a sure thing in the morning. Can't wait to get back to home sweet home.

I forgot to mention, @MrMoonlight , that when he got to the ICU room after surgery on Monday, the nurse put some music on via Pandora and he requested the grateful dead genre. After it played for a bit, Shine On You Crazy Diamond started playing. ?

As soon as I walked out of the door tonight headed to the hotel, in the vicinity of where I got lost and had a meltdown earlier in the week, I looked down and found a gorgeous feather.

Was going to attempt to wrestle my big heavy suitcase into the trunk of the car, which is a really bad idea with my rib situation being what it is, and as soon as I walked into the parking garage, the young man who works for the hotel and had checked a broken light in my room earlier, was out there having a smoke break and he tossed it in there for me. Perfect timing.

My heart has been hugged in so many ways this week, both near and far. I don't feel worthy of such "magic", big love, and good fortune, but damn sure feel grateful every time I encounter each.

Thinking of you guys, wishing for lots of wellness, and looking forward to having more time to play catch up and connect as we get back home and restore some semblance of our brand of "normalcy". (((Hugs)))

 

[ladee]

So happy things are going so well. All that love and energy going to good places and people!!

Hope hubby and you get to go home tomorrow. People get well faster at home!! He's a walking miracle. Tell him how proud we are of him!! And we are proud of you too!! Finding your totems to let you know you are loved and thought about!!

Home sweet home!! Be safe and heart hugs.