posted
Today was a VERY long, exhausting day. I left this morning for work at 7:50am, went straight to the hospital after work, and finally got home about 10:30pm.
Bruce is having some issues with a side effect of the pain pills... and he didn't take ANY today. Every move was excruciating... even if he wouldn't admit it, you could see it in his face, or his clenched fists. Finally around 8:45pm the night nurse said they'll just have to deal with it somehow, but he HAS to take something.
I feel absolutely helpless.
I doubt he'll come home tomorrow. I'm scared if he does, I'm not prepared for it. I don't know where he'll sit, how he'll move, what he'll eat, how I can take care of him, nothing. ugh.
Bobby and Toby are coming home Monday night. I don't feel like I can leave them home with Bruce during the day - I'm going to have to bring at least Toby to work with me. Letting them in and out and everything is gonna be really tough for him. I am SO thankful that Andy and Judi have been so kind as to take them in for this past week or so, leaving me available for long days between work and hospital.
He received several phone calls today, most of which he had to cut short, as he had been in so much pain all day, it was absolutely draining him of his strength.
I came home late tonite, emotionally numb... to a beautiful floral arrangement in my back entryway. Imagine my surprise when the card announced it was for ME from Bruce's brother Brian and his family... wow. Any other day I would have burst into tears, but I just don't have the energy for them now.
I still have no idea when he will be coming home, so just playing it by ear.
Thanks again for letting me come here and vent every night. And thank you for the replies... especially the ones saying this will get better... especially after a day like today...
-------------------- Dana Ferry St Cloud, MN Posts: 1556 | From: St Cloud, MN | Registered: May 1999
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It sounds like Bruce is doing super... and doing my kinda thing... real men don't take pain killers...
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8739 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Dan; I'm assuming that they split his chest to do their thing, which involves cutting bone and muscle, which is extremely painful to recover from, even for the truest of men...ever see one of those swingn' tree log traps, popular in war type movies, that swing down and catch their victim, mid-chest? Imagine his pain? That's about what Bruce is going thru if they've split his chest...Bruce, ask for the good stuff that even when sick, you don't care!!! Dana; you might have to face reality that Bruce may have to fend for himself, unless you can obtain some medically trained help for first week, ten days, the most critical time...they will know all those answers, and yes, those are very important questions to be asking of yourself...after that, he can do some for himself, somewhat...it does get easier after healing process starts and gets a good hold... Don't know if they've discussed any of the particulars of his operation w/you yet, but if they did split his chest, warn him repeatedly, if neccessary, not to bend over and lift, anything!!! It will rip out the staples, and it all starts over again... Good luck, may God Bless.......
-------------------- Frank Magoo, Magoo's-Las Vegas; fmagoo@netzero.com "the only easy day was yesterday" Posts: 2365 | From: Las Vegas, Nv. | Registered: Jun 2003
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Dana, Following my surgery there was a woman from some department of the hospital that came to our home and walked it with Megan telling her the things she'd need to do before I came home. Recliner chair needed to be raised and some handrails in a few places etc. Does your hospital provide such service? When Bruce gets released, you'll be ready and capable. You're not yet and neither is he. Rest now knowing he's being cared for by trained professionals. You need love, not anxiety. If your dogs are gonna be a problem, perhaps Magoo will send Scottie over for a few days to hold them in line? I've found comfort in knowing others have walked this path before me and survived with a smile. Dana, let your light so shine!
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6725 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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I have a funny feeling that since we have no insurance, there's some stuff that happens for other people, that's not gonna be available for us!!
Actually... I think I will start a new thread on that. I am such a planner and list maker (Bruce will tell you I have OCD!) that would give me something to do.
posted
Hi Dana, Bob also had some issues with the pain pills after his bypass and the doctor told him he could take up to 3 Advil instead (we think it was every six hours, ask your doctor about that). This actually worked better for Bob and he said it helped with the pain as much as those prescription painkillers. God bless both of you. Hang in there.
**edited to say that this is Jen. Looked kind of silly, Bob posting about Bob.
[ October 16, 2005, 02:05 PM: Message edited by: Bob Bond ]
-------------------- Bob Bond's Artistry AutoArt Magazine Lee's Summit, MO BobBondArtist@hotmail.com http://www.bobbondart.com Posts: 101 | From: Lee's Summit, MO USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Dana....a good reclining chair and a pillow to hug when he coughs or sneezes are the two main things he will need. In a reclining chair, he can raise his legs...he can sleep and still press the remote and make/take phonecalls. When Mike had his first Open heart, I was with him almost every waking moment. He had good days and bad days to start with more and more good days before too long. The second one, I was not able to be at his side, but tried to have a friend come in and be there for an hour of two while I was out. That was very helpful. Mike slept a lot (part of the healing process) and to this day, finds his recliner chair a huge comfort. I kept juices, hard candies, phone, remote, and whatever else I could think of within his reach. Bruce will be fine....it just takes time. And as the others have said....he shouldn't over do it. Sometimes even the walk to the bathroom is exhausting at first. He may experience dizziness and feel sick. All will improve with time....but you need all the sleep you can get. The last thing Bruce needs is a sick caretaker. Big hugs from us here. Keep smiling and enjoy every new day.
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1323 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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Dana...you should be able to get a home nurse to check on him daily, no matter how poor you are. Around here the public health dept will arrange it, but there are probably other agencies doing this as well.
Tell Bruce he should take the pain med. Your body heals better when you are relaxed, and who can relax when your in pain all the time ? The tension that developes, and the draining of energy that comes from being in pain, are not condusive to healing, so take the pain pills, and get better faster. If your having side effects like nausea or something, tell the doc, and they will change meds until they get one you can tolerate.
Dana, all I can say, is you are doing one heck of a job keeping up with things, posting and giving Bruce replys, working, etc. You are to be commended...and don't worry, Bruce will be improving daily.
Biggest problem will be keeping him tied down for a while, because it won't be long before he'll be rarin' to go, and you'll have the job of keeping him sorta subdued a little while longer. He needs to commit to healing ALL the way, BEFORE he starts runnin' all over the place.
Keep up the good work you two !
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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