icu and recovery in hospital

[Bill/SanDiego]

Dear wonderful users of this forum, I hope I'm doing this right and you'll find this on post surgery instead of pre. Bill was in icu from 7p.m. fri. until 2 sat. (at 12 they removed the catheter and all the hookups) Then he went to his own room (heart patients at Scripps, Mem., LaJOlla don't have roommates) phone # 858-626-6632 nd he seemed to feel better yesterday than today. I'm probably boring you all w/ this---having been there-done that--. I guess w/ surgery trauma and pain medications you go up and down. Yesterday at 6 when they brought dinner trays they found the man right next door not breathing so CODE BLUE! What chaos! I guess he made it --they took him to icu. It humbled me and made me grateful! Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers--Bill keeps tellin ghte nurses about the sight so they can tell people(patients) but they don't pay attention(they are really busy!) I'm so grateful I can help out there w/ him because they just can't do it all. Gotta go. Love, Janet Fisher

 

[bvdr]

Thanks Janet

Thanks Janet

Thanks Janet for updating us. You can expect him to have up days and bad days. It sounds as Bill is doing very well ! Don't think for a minute you are boring us with any of the details. We actually relish them! I'm sure the nurses appreciate all the help you can give. Don't forget to take care of yourself too. Major surgery takes a toll on family members as well. Tell Bill everyone here in the waiting room says hello..................................Betty

 

[Nancy]

Hi Janet-

Progress is being made! Bill's in his own room. That's great. For some reason after surgery, injuries and any other hurtie thing, the third day seems to be worse painwise than the first and second day. I don't have any solid reason why, just a mommy thing. Maybe the tissues reach their maximum swelling and things start to clot up making wounds harder rather than softer. Just a guess.

If he's very uncomfortable, have him complain to the nurses. The trick to pain meds is to catch the pain before it has the chance to dig in. Sooner rather than later.

He'll be feeling better soon.

You are definitely not boring us. Please give us updates when you can.

Take care,

 

[EVELYN]

Hi Janet

I'm so glad to hear Bill is doing well. Haven't posted because we've been so busy----MUCHO LIFE after valve surgery--but I do check in with the site daily. Please give him our best and tell him to remember the VR.COM CREEDO: "WALK, WALK WALK,NAP, NAP, NAP, BREATHE, BREATHE, BREATHE!!!" If he does all that, he won't be able to do any more for a bit because he'll be exhausted in the beginning.

You take care, too. Having been in your shoes, I know what a toll it can take on the caregivers......

Pretty soon he'll be home---I will never forget that day.

Evelyn

 

[sylviayasgur]

hi janet!
so glad to hear that bill is doing well. please send him our best.
all the others here are so on the mark.... it will take some time, use pain meds as needed, walk, rest, breathe, and YOU, take care of yourself and try and get some rest in between.
so happy for you.
thank you for keeping us posted. we want to know how he is doing, so please stay in touch.
stay well, sylvia

 

[Georgia]

That @week in the hospital only SEEMS like a month

That @week in the hospital only SEEMS like a month

Janet - thanks so much for posting for Bill, and again, I'm so glad to hear that things are progressing.

Just want to second (or third or fourth) others here - you really need to get your rest and down time while Bill's in the hospital because for the first couple of weeks he'll lean on you pretty heavily at home.

My bet is that he'll feel better tomorrow; of course, he won't REALLY feel good until he gets home!

 

[pillarpaul]

Congrats Bill and Janet. There will be many more up days than down days. I am five weeks post-op now (I also got away with a repair) and I feel much better than I did pre-op, and I didn't even think I was symptomatic! Best of luck for a continued uneventful recovery.

Paul

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Janet

Hi Janet

When you are with Bill in the hospital..get him up and walking. He won't like it..but good walking..Even a few steps at a time..Helps get the nasty stuff out of him i'm sure he doesn't want anything to eat..just make him drink a lot..Three weeks from now he may want to be outside cutting grass, ect..but the next day feeling down..Comes and goes. Recovery is slow..8-10 weeks is not uncommon before he really starts to feel a little like his old self again...Are you ready for his home recovery? Let us know if we can help out. Bonnie

 

[carbomedic]

Hello Janet,
Give my best to Bill when you see him. It takes a while, but soon he will feel better than before.
thanks for keeping us informed.

carbo

 

[ccrawford]

Way to Go !!

Way to Go !!

Bill and Janet - Thanks for the update. Glad it is all going well. Sure feels good to have all those catheters and drainage tubes out doesn't it. Patience is the word for awhile guys. Bill will start to feel a little better each day, but it takes awhile to rebuild the strength and stamina. Keep at it though-it will come. I"m walking all the way to the mailbox (1/4 mile) at a good pace now without any pain and only moderately out of breath. This after 4 weeks just to give you an idea. Keep up the good work and keep us informed. Chris

 

[Bob]

Good news. Glad all is going well. When Bill comes home he will need a lot of help so you need to take good care of yourself so you have the energy he will need. There will be bad days as well as good days. He wont know which today is until it comes. He will have depression and probably a few grouchy times. Its all part of healing. Make sure he takes his pain pills. We guys and our ,"I can stand this" attitude is silly. Poke the pill down his throat if you have to. Any problems you have just come on line and ask.

 

[tnboomer1013]

Sounds great Janet

Sounds great Janet

Being from Lucadia my self I know that the weather there is great for recovery. I can't offer anything different but walk walk nap nap. Take it slow for a while, it will come back. Have that pillow handy for those dreaded coughs and sneezes. Good luck and good health. Like it has been said any questions come back and ask, no dumb questions here. Just plenty of help.

BOOMER