Yesterday was a loooooong day. We had to be at the hospital by 5:30 AM, which meant that we had to leave the house at 4:00, which meant that I had to get up at 2:30.
We said our goodbyes at 7:30. I got to see him about noon for five minutes. I had lunch, and by the time I got back up, he was much more awake. We certainly were not going to make the doctor's estimate that he would be on the road by lunchtime, but the recovery room thought 3. I was pretty worried about it because he did not seem all that ready to go home but by 3, we were on the road.
There was a bit of a kerfuffle. I had asked his son if he could pick up the prescriptions and be waiting at the house when we arrived in case I needed help getting him inside. There was a problem with the pain killers. Although the prescription had been called in by the doctor, they needed to speak with the doctor before releasing it to him. They couldn't reach the doctor. I was quite worried about that, since it was Friday afternoon, the office was closing in an hour, and if we did not get the prescription, he'd have to go the weekend without it.
We were able to get them in the end, thank goodness.
They've collected some more tissue samples and lymph nodes to be biopsied, I imagine we'll know more about that on November 8th, when we have our next appointment.
He doesn't have much of an appetite, but I'm making one of his favorite soups for supper. He's doing a great job on drinking his fluids. He's doing a lot of walking which seems to help with pain.
We're both glad to have yesterday behind us.
Thank you for mu lovely cheerful birthday card. xx
ReplyDeleteI hope you get lots and lots of birthday cards, all of them lovely and cheerful. Not unlike you, yourself, dear lady!
DeleteWishing Tim the best, and please take it easy yourself 🤞🏻from southern Victoria Australia
ReplyDeleteWe'll get through it. (she keeps telling herself).
DeleteMaureen from MO here, wishing Tim a speedy recovery and that all the tissue samples are negative. I am surprised they let him home the same day but such is the way these days. Take care of yourself too, as a caregiver to my husband I know only too well that it is easy to forget ourselves. My good wishes to you both. XXXXX
ReplyDeleteI just didn't think it was a good idea. We live so far from the hospital. But, it all worked out okay.
DeleteHang in there Tim. I'm sure you're tough enough to take it. You'll feel better day by day.
ReplyDeleteHe is not eating. That worries me. I made his favorite soup tonight. He didn't eat.
DeleteWhew, I bet you're glad that's over with! And now nothing but getting better, a bit at a time...just healing! And such good news that Tim is drinking plenty...I raise a cup to him! Be well, dear blog friends!
ReplyDeleteHe is doing a good job with the fluids. Gatorade, water, apple cider.
DeleteI'm glad to know everything went well. I pray he makes a speedy recovery and the biopsies are all clear and benign. Take some deep breaths and relax, Debby.
ReplyDeleteI know I'll feel better once his discomfort starts easing.
DeleteGood to hear from you, Debby, and glad to know Tim's home.
ReplyDeleteBravo to Tim for drinking plenty of fluids and for walking as much as he feels capable of doing.
Wishing you both a peaceful, quiet period of healing, rest & recovery.
From your lips to God's ears!
DeleteI'm glad it went well. I've been thinking about you and Tim. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pixie.
DeleteSounds as though it went well, hope the trend continues. Wishing for a good recovery.
ReplyDeleteThe surgeon is a good fellow. We like him.
DeleteThank you for the update. Here’s wishing you a peaceful, healing weekend— and fingers crossed for the future! Joan
ReplyDeleteThanks, Joan. Tomorrow is the high holy day of football, so I am hopeful that will take his mind of his discomfort.
DeleteThank you so much for the update, I’ve been thinking about you all day!
ReplyDeleteSo glad to hear it went well, though of course you could have done without the uncertainty about getting the meds! Sending hugs and good wishes for a speedy recovery ❤️🩹 ❤️ -xo, Ricki
We were not even sure we'd need them, but I was afraid not to have them. As it turned out, they've been needed.
DeleteYes! This part is done! Oh, how I hope that the news on November 8th is good. But for now, healing and resting is the main goal and I know you will be be right there, making those two things happen.
ReplyDeleteSo far, he's put up absolutely no resistance. I asked if he wanted to go with me to the grocery store. He could sit in the car. I thought it would feel good to get out of the house. He didn't want to go.
DeleteGlad to hear that the surgery is complete and that it's now about recovery and treatment. Moving forward feels much better than waiting. Hoping for good results from the biopsies!
ReplyDeleteMe, too.
DeleteThank you for the update. Onward and upward.
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteI wish Tim a rapid recovery and good results from everything.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Red.
DeleteHoping for the best for him!
ReplyDeleteMe too.
DeleteOne more thing (and a big one) behind you. Sending healing hugs. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid as he starts to feel better.
ReplyDeletePrior to surgery, we were hanging drywall at the rehab. He shocked me when he said that he wanted to mix the 'mud', so that post surgery, he could begin mudding. I told him he couldn't, and we talked about the restrictions. He was getting stubborn. I said, "Well, you have a choice: You can take a bit of time off while you heal, or we can have a huge fight about it and you can take a bit of time off while you heal."
DeleteHe thought about it and decided to just take some time off while he healed.
In all honesty, he is awfully shakey. Tonight he got cold chills and was shivering violently. He is not running a fever. He is in quite a bit of pain. It's kind of nervewracking. I almost wish he was chomping at the bit. It would be easier to take.
You and Tim are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Bob.
DeleteWonderful that you’re both over this huge hurdle and he’s doing well!!! I read recently that green light (and grass/nature) also have painkilling effect without drug side effects…. Best wishes for speedy recovery!!
ReplyDeleteOff to google...
DeleteWonderful that you’re both over this huge hurdle and he’s doing well!!! I read recently that green light (and grass/nature) also have painkilling effect without drug side effects…. Best wishes for speedy recovery!!
ReplyDeleteWell, you got through that, hopefully the hardest part.
ReplyDeleteThis part is kind of worrying too. It's a sickening feeling.
DeleteGlad you got through the very long day. (By the way, most docs or group practices always have a doc on call when the office isn't closed. It's okay to call them, especially if you didn't get the pain med.)
ReplyDeleteRe-read the post-op instructions several times. If questions, call the office or on-call doc.
As I told many of my VA patients: now is not the time to be stoic and tough, you need to be a wimp, and take your pain medicine. Take it with at least a half slice of plain bread or a cracker. Keeping any pain at bay helps the body heal faster.
Put a walker or cane near him "just for recovery time" to use until he gets his energy back. If he's nauseated they should have given him some med for that, typically ondansetron. If that's his reason for not eating, call that practice on-call doc and ask for some.
That's great that he's drinking fluids. See if he wants a popsicle or ice cream, Slushee or Frosty. He WAS put to sleep briefly for the procedure, so brains and bodies are a bit sluggish the next day or so.
Bribing and bargaining are both tactics to get him to do what he should. Such as: no mudding or working on the house until you eat regularly again! Ask him what he's hungry for. It's usually something for when you're sick with a cold, like toast, or grilled cheese sandwich, more than a favorite dish right now.
You're being a good nurse for a not-so-easy patient. Prayers said for you both. Linda in Kansas
He was under anaesthetic for over 2 hours. Peristalsis had stopped. Things have resumed there. I am going to make chicken and dumplings for his supper today. I think he will feel more like eating. The painkiller though. He was taking that on an empty stomach. I was so distracted by his pain, it did not even occur to me. It should have. Rookie mistake!
DeleteMy comment just got eaten like your soup should be but didn't stick. Safe and sane recovery to Tim, and I wish you, Debby, patience and space xxx
ReplyDeleteI am convinced my comments sometimes dance of to the land of the missing socks. This morning seems as if it will be a much better day.
DeleteIt is good to see you both back. Take it easy, and take care both of you. The retirement home can wait further building till Tim is perfectly well again.
ReplyDeleteI think he is (at this point) in total agreement.
DeleteWhat a worrying time for you ( and Tim!). Hope that he will be eating soon and getting his strength back.
ReplyDeleteToday is shaping up to be a much better day.
DeleteThanks for the update Debby. Thinking of you both.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Dave.
DeleteSounds like a long and tiring (and worrying) day. Glad Tim's safely home and on the mend. Glad to hear he can walk well. ((HUGS)) to you both.
ReplyDeleteOh it was a long day, and my worry about what might happen made it even longer. It just is scary to bring home such a new surgery case.
DeleteWhew! Glad for both of you that this part is done and sorted. Sending healing white light!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karla.
DeleteHope Tim will feel like eating soon, but those painkillers often make you feel sick. Keep the fluids going in and out. Healing just takes a little time. Do you have a nurse costume, wink wink to help him feel better? Gigi
ReplyDeleteIt did not occur to me that the painkillers and no food were a bad combination. It should have. I feel quite foolish.
DeleteWhat a long day. Fingers crossed for results.
ReplyDeleteIt did drag on.
DeleteAnaesthetic and pain killers can wreck one's appetite. You can call the doctor's office or hospital if you need advice. Sometimes Google doesn't help! Wishing you both the best. Time will heal.
ReplyDeleteThey were very, VERY clear that there were only 2 reasons for calling: vomiting to the point that liquids do not stay down or a fever of over 101.1.
DeleteI'm so glad Tim is home again and you can both hopefully move forward from this. Sending good thoughts your way!
ReplyDeleteThank you Steve.
DeleteIt's good to hear that Tim is home and the operation is behind him. Two things I would caution you to watch for: dehydration, and constipation from the painkillers. I discovered when Gregg was sick just how serious constipation can be. Take care (of yourself, too!)
ReplyDeleteThat problem was also solved this morning.
ReplyDeleteI have had no Internet connection all day so have only just been able to read your post. Sending a huge hug to Tim and to you.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jaycee.
DeleteGlad you are both home and that Tim is drinking.
ReplyDeleteI love the choices you gave him ...
I am pro choice. :)
DeleteWhen I read the word "goodbyes" you had me worried. I'm so glad Tim has that surgery behind him. I hope he'll be recovered and pain-free quickly.
ReplyDelete😆. No. He does not remember the goodbye. He had already wandered of to La La land.
Delete