Saturday, September 2, 2017

Open heart

My husband had open heart surgery yesterday morning, six hours in the OR as we held our breath, but he came through it like a soldier. The first hurdle cleared. They woke him briefly in the later afternoon to test his neuro functions, his responses indicated no cognitive impairment as a consequence of the surgery. The second hurdle cleared. This morning at 5 AM they woke him from the sedation again. They removed the tube from his airway and began working with him on restrengthening his lungs and everything else. Later they got him out of bed and he sat up in a chair for a couple of hours. We sat with him, mostly just being there, as talking for him was an effort, a hoarse whisper, and he had to concentrate on breathing deeply and clearing the fluid from his body. One day out, all things considered, he's doing well. But there are many more hurdles ahead on the path to full recovery. If you had told us at the start of the week that we'd be in this place five days hence, would we have believed it? And yes, the need for open heart surgery was related to the month of severe back pain and spasms, which turned out to be the secondary condition, and thank God for doctors who were medical detectives, and a flashy, cocky Italian surgeon ready to cut and replace a damaged, malfunctioning valve, and now, tonight, two whirling dervish nurses, two tornados determined to make my husband well, monitoring his pain, his numbers, beating on his back till he coughs up the sticky stuff, strapping massage cuffs on his legs, one nurse the teacher, the other an intern, both of them sent by the angels. He looks so much better tonight. Like himself. Telling me a story. Another hurdle.

36 comments:

  1. Just before my dinner was ready I was going to stop by and leave you a comment to let you know I was thinking about you. My dinner was ready sooner than expected and now I come back to this post.
    Oh, Angella! What a week you have had. I'm holding all of you close. Here's my hand. Take hold

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  2. I have been waiting all day for this news and it has been well worth the wait. So, so grateful.

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  3. OMG. I am so happy to hear this news. To know that such a very, very serious condition could masquerade as back trouble and to know that somehow you caught it before it became more serious. Giving thanks now. Sending love and prayers for you all.

    -invisigal

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  4. So thankful for this wonderful news! Sounds like yall are in excellent hands medically and I know he is surrounded by the love and care of all your family. All will be well, it may take some time, but I believe, all will be well. Remember to take care of yourself too. Don't feel guilty to take the time to rest and eat some healthy food. He will need you there for him now more than he ever has. Sending love and healing thoughts.

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  5. Oh my gosh! I am so sorry he had to go thru this and also so glad they've found the root cause of his pain! What an awful ordeal! He will get better and be his old self again. I can feel it, but oh how scarey! Thank you for posting. Still praying.

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  6. Ye Gods !!....this post came as a shock.......sending you all love and hopes for a swift recovery for your man. Thank goodness they eventually found out what the problem was.

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  7. How sobering this is, what a blessing the correct diagnosis was found
    and that your husband is receiving excellent care. May he continue to heal well.

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  8. Thank heavens he is on the road to recovery. And thank heavens for the nurses and doctors; they really are angels.

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  9. That's wonderful. Not that he needed the surgery, but that the surgery is done and he's recovering. Wishing him a speedy recovery. Take care.

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  10. Sending joyful prayers to you all. Get well—and get home—soon.

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  11. Hugs and best wishes for complete healing!

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  12. Rosemarie, I'm so glad to hear he's come through this experience and is getting stronger. How terrifying it must have been. And yet, a relief in some ways, to finally have an answer and be able to address the problem. I'm thinking of you all!

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  13. What a journey this has been. So glad and relieved to know that he has come through the surgery well and has begun his healing already. Send him our very best wishes from the north coast of California.

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  14. So glad to hear he's doing well and we send prayers and light for his continued healing. And for you dear Rosemarie! Stay strong. XXOO

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  15. HOLY COW!!! That comes as a surprise! My goodness, what can you do but be strong for everyone? Of course my wishes are with you and you husband- that is such a very serious surgery! The recovery seems to be challenging as well. Dear, oh dear. Thoughts are with you. I am a bit stunned!

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  16. I will echo Angie's comment. Take care of you. The caretaker role is very tiring. My specific advice would be to get a small dry erase white board. Managing the drugs is much easier if you can see the schedule for the entire day. Thank heavens they found the root cause of the back problem.

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  17. I am relieved that the MDs found the answers and that your husband is on his way to recovery. I would have never guessed that back pain and muscle spasms caused by heart issues. Never heard of the such. Do share with us how this all works together as it is an unusual combination. Prayers and good wishes for all to go well

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  18. What a relief to know that your husband's heart is in such good hands. We hold each other's hearts in our good hands. Language is such a beautiful mystery. Open hearts.

    As a self-employed medical transcription editor, which is a largely invisible part of the medical staff involved in such surgeries, I am continually astonished when I witness, through listening to dictations of surgical procedures, the skills of doctors and medical staff. Medical interventions such as your husband's are truly amazing!

    Sending love to you and your family as your husband heals.

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  19. Oh my. I'm so grateful for the magic of modern healers who will help make your wonderful husband well again, and for your husband's strong will and the love y'all share with your family and friends who will support him along recovery.

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  20. Keeping you in my thoughts, dear friend. You all must have been very worried; just keep going one step at a time. Thank goodness for all the excellent medical personnel who had a hand in your husband's diagnosis and treatment and care. Look after yourself and best wishes to your husband for a rapid and robust recovery.

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  21. Wonderful news! Wishing you all strength for the journey ahead. Much love.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  22. I'm glad that your husband has a good team of medical experts on his side to get him back to normal. I can't believe that all of this lead to open heart surgery. I pray for him to heal fast and get back to his life with you feeling all better!

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  23. Oh what a development! And so good to read that you are all in good hands. I send you all my very best wishes for a full recovery. Take your time.

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  24. I haven't been reading at hardly at all lately. But I just felt the urge to today. My God, Angela. I am so very, very sorry to hear this and send you and your dear husband thoughts of Love and Healing. I am so glad to hear a little bit of peace in your voice. You are the best medicine anyone could hope for. Love, Liv

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  25. I know I already left a comment but wanted you to know that I'm just thinking about you and your family.

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  26. I am so glad that he is doing well and has good medical care and a great support system there with you and your children and the extended family and that he was in pretty good shape before the surgery.

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  27. oh, rosie. just saw in the instagram pix and raced here to see what happened. my heart thudding. thank god he's a fighter! and surrounded by so much love. thinking of you today from far away, my lovely, brave friend: the best life companion any man could ever wish for.

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  28. Oh sweetie, I love you all so much. I'm so glad to hear he's doing well. I believe he will get better and better! I wish you all strength and peace in this time. And make sure you take care of yourself and get some rest.

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  29. I've been praying for you all and will continue to do so. Glad that your beloved is doing well post-surgery. Thank you for updating us :)

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  30. Sorry to be late, but wishing you and your husband the best and holding good thoughts. This makes no sense, of course, but I can't help thinking that your family is so much about goodness that there will be goodness for you here. Stay strong. Mary

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  31. I'm thinking about you tonight and wishing you well.please take care of yourself too.

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  32. I'm just checking in again to wish you continued strength and courage. I am so glad to hear that things are progressing toward healing. How difficult all of this. How your family's huge hearts are tending --

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  33. Thank the good Lord! Your husband pulled through this 6 hour heart surgery. I am still shocked that it took the docs forever to diagnose and begin resolving this very serious health problem. That aside, I am so happy that he is now getting great care. Sending all good wishes for a continued smooth recovery. My thoughts are with you.

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  34. Praying your Dear hubby heals quickly & completely sending you much love xxx

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  35. Shock...most heartfelt wishes for strength and recovery in your family. Love holds you together in such beauty. You're all in my thoughts in a special way.

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