Home Sweet Home
Danny Update
Day 1 & 2 - Uneventful with an Epidural
Danny had an epidural the first two days which really alleviated a lot of his pain. He was surpised how good he felt and was in great spirits.
Day 3 - Fainting & Irregular EKG
Danny got up for the first time with a physical therapist. He did great and was asked to sit in a chair for about 2o minutes to get used to being up. Suddenly, he started calling for help followed by my calling for help that he was going to faint. Nobody responded. He fainted and I thought what is wrong with these people? I should have yelled emergency or my husband fainted because as soon as I yelled he fainted doctors galore came to our rescue. He woke up a couple minutes later, saying, "I am done fainting now, but my hearing is still gone now." He was fully aware that he was going and I was the only one there to hold him in his little chair. Thank goodness he didn't fall forward. Well, fainting is usually no big deal, but they ran precautionary tests which showed an abnormal EKG indicative of a heart attack. Turns out he just has an abnormal baseline and was probably due to amnemia which makes sense. We got transferred to a more acute unit that could monitor his heart which was actually a huge blessing. They were so attentive and so on top of helping us which was great.
Day 4-5
Got up a couple more times. The hardest part for him was managing the pain. The wean from an epidural to IV drugs to oral meds is always tricky. The drugs they were giving him at first didn't work. He was finally really happy with percocet. You just have to keep going until you find something that works for you. Some of the harder medication just didn't work for him or made him feel sick or whatever. Almost fainted again coming down the stairs which was really painful because he had to swing his bad leg forward. Overall, he did great in the hospital, was so kind and understanding to all. I think I would have been much more irritated. I never saw him get irritated or upset, when I think most people would. He was so gracious, positive and trying his best to do what was best for him. He received 2 units of his own blood, which helped his blood levels. His numbness is bothersome. It goes from his hip down to his knee and he really can't feel any tactile sensation. We are hoping and praying it returns.
Day 5
Came home 4 hours after expected due to a missed signature on a triplicate. We do not have good experiences with these. When Tyler got one, they told me to start going to other hospitals at 6PM to find Methadone for drug withdrawal, which he really needed. With Danny, the doctor returned 4 hours after he said he would to sign the paperwork he forgot to sign. If there is something you learn in hospitals it is patience. We enjoyed watching one of Dannys favorite shows, Monk and some golf in the meantime as well as found some positive feedback forms to recognize some outstanding nurses. Finally made it home which feels so good. It is great to be with the kids again!
Day 1 & 2 - Uneventful with an Epidural
Danny had an epidural the first two days which really alleviated a lot of his pain. He was surpised how good he felt and was in great spirits.
Day 3 - Fainting & Irregular EKG
Danny got up for the first time with a physical therapist. He did great and was asked to sit in a chair for about 2o minutes to get used to being up. Suddenly, he started calling for help followed by my calling for help that he was going to faint. Nobody responded. He fainted and I thought what is wrong with these people? I should have yelled emergency or my husband fainted because as soon as I yelled he fainted doctors galore came to our rescue. He woke up a couple minutes later, saying, "I am done fainting now, but my hearing is still gone now." He was fully aware that he was going and I was the only one there to hold him in his little chair. Thank goodness he didn't fall forward. Well, fainting is usually no big deal, but they ran precautionary tests which showed an abnormal EKG indicative of a heart attack. Turns out he just has an abnormal baseline and was probably due to amnemia which makes sense. We got transferred to a more acute unit that could monitor his heart which was actually a huge blessing. They were so attentive and so on top of helping us which was great.
Day 4-5
Got up a couple more times. The hardest part for him was managing the pain. The wean from an epidural to IV drugs to oral meds is always tricky. The drugs they were giving him at first didn't work. He was finally really happy with percocet. You just have to keep going until you find something that works for you. Some of the harder medication just didn't work for him or made him feel sick or whatever. Almost fainted again coming down the stairs which was really painful because he had to swing his bad leg forward. Overall, he did great in the hospital, was so kind and understanding to all. I think I would have been much more irritated. I never saw him get irritated or upset, when I think most people would. He was so gracious, positive and trying his best to do what was best for him. He received 2 units of his own blood, which helped his blood levels. His numbness is bothersome. It goes from his hip down to his knee and he really can't feel any tactile sensation. We are hoping and praying it returns.
Day 5
Came home 4 hours after expected due to a missed signature on a triplicate. We do not have good experiences with these. When Tyler got one, they told me to start going to other hospitals at 6PM to find Methadone for drug withdrawal, which he really needed. With Danny, the doctor returned 4 hours after he said he would to sign the paperwork he forgot to sign. If there is something you learn in hospitals it is patience. We enjoyed watching one of Dannys favorite shows, Monk and some golf in the meantime as well as found some positive feedback forms to recognize some outstanding nurses. Finally made it home which feels so good. It is great to be with the kids again!
Comments
It was good to talk to you on the phone. I thought you sounded pretty chipper, so I was proud of you. By the way, I can't remember if you had both hips done, or just one. Did they slice both sides? Either way, major ouch. That is not too cool about the fainting either. Hope that goes away quickly. Speedy recovery. Still no trips to CA for me. I might make it over yet though!
Just wanted you to know that Mike and I are including you in our prayers and hoping for a quick, successful recovery for you! Hopefully this surgery will make your hips fully functional again. Mike had ACL surgery this spring, which is obviously minor compared to your hip surgery, but I have some small understanding of the misery it is to be laid up.
Good luck, and know that we're thinking of you!
Katie and Mike Baird