Well, as you all know, my wife had spinal surgery last week. She was sent home last Sunday evening. I went to bed last night at 9. At midnight, she woke me up. She was shivering violently. It was crazy. She said she was freezing. I got her a ton of blankets like she wanted. Right now, its 3:30, and we have been here at the ER since 12:30. They are saying she is dehydrated, and are concerned about a possible infection. They have taken several blood samples, and urine samples. Getting ready to go for a cat scan.
The front incision site is rock hard. That is their concern. I was supposed to go back to work today, but they say they aren't letting her go home any time soon. I'm praying for the best. This really stinks. Poor girl. I feel bad for her.
Been there Mike. It isn't easy on anyone involved. Try to listen and help figure things out with careful thought about everything that happens and is said. Despite all the modern medicine, we still have to be our own advocates and keep track of things to get the best outcome. It helps to like and trust the medical people you're working with, but staying involved and thinking will often get you a better outcome faster.
I'm hoping you have her in excellent medical hands and they do everything right. And that you can do whatever you need to do to help out with whatever you can. Family always comes first. Any good boss should know that as long as you tell them your family needs you. I hope you have a good boss and you can do what you need to do. Prayers and the best wishes sent.
They are right on it with her. I am really impressed with how fast they got going on this. They just wheeled her down for the cat scan. They haven't given us any results from the blood and urine tests yet. Man,I'm tired.
Yeah. The part never gets easy. Maybe you'll get it figured out on this visit and be headed back in the right direction again by tomorrow (well, today). Hope so anyway. Good luck.
She is now being admitted to the hospital. She has an infection in her blood stream. The cat scan didn't show anything, so now we are waiting for an MRI. They put an IV in her neck. The doctor says she's in bad shape. I am really scared. I feel so helpless. She could be here for quite some time. The doctor says anywhere from 3 days to a couple of weeks. But, they still don't have any answers. We don't know how bad this is yet.
Please, if you read this, pray for her.
I concur with what DK said about being your own best advocate. We have found that with changes in shifts etc. that not always is everyone on board as they should be. That being said the medical profession these days can do wonderful things. Prayers on the way and I hope things get better soon for her!
Prayers sent...Keep us updated....
Just went through this with an in-laws father ... If you are not getting the answers you need, ask someone else! You have the right to know everything at any time. He had the same type of scenario and the family was not getting any answers so they told the hospital they wanted a whole new staff ... and they got it and the answers they wanted.
Prayers sent
Prayers sent.
As of right now, they are trying to get her to the ICU and out of emergency. They are having trouble getting her blood pressure regulated. It has been very low all day. Early this morning it was 82 over 43. Right now it is 102/48. They wont have any answers on the blood cultures for 48 hours. They are hoping that when she has her mri it will show them where the infection is. The cat scan showed nothing.
Prayers sent
Her blood pressure is a little more stable. The redness in her face is starting to go down. A good sign I presume. They are doing the mri right now.
They will throw some HEAVY antibiotics into her ... she will start reacting quickly!
Prayers sent Mike
Lord please look over Mike's wife and help her body fight off the infection that she has wherever it is located. We ask that you guide the entire medical staff as they try to determine what is wrong, care for her, decide her further treatment, and administer to her as she recovers.
We ask also that you be with Mike and his family as they wait out this difficult time. May the Peace of Christ be with them now and in the days ahead. Amen.
Thanks, Fiker. Man, that brought tears to my eyes. I'm wore out, no sleep. My nerves are shot. The ER people said I was shaking as bad as her. The ICU nurses sent me home for the night. They wanted my dad to drive me home.
As for my wife, the mri gave no answers. They said everything looks good at the surgery sites. So, I guess that's good. Her blood pressure is up and down, all over the place. Her temp is the same way. It's up, then its down. I hate feeling so helpless. That's my girl laying there, not knowing what's happening to her. Crying because she doesn't know if she will see her kids again. This morning, she asked the doctor if she was going to die, and he told her he didn't know. She started crying instantly. Her mom brought our 2 year old up there, and as soon as I held her up, my wife cried hysterically. Now, she can't see the kids at all due to the fact she's in ICU.
I want each and every one of you to know how much I truly appreciate your thoughts and prayers. My family is my biggest weakness. There is nothing on earth that can bring me to my knees like my family having an issue. Your encouraging words really help. Just being able to get this stuff off my chest really helps. Thanks guys.
Prayers are being sent Mike.
Praying for your wife, you, your children and the medical staff.
You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers. Best of luck with everything. You are truly admired for your genuine care and compassion for your family. Stay strong and know that you have prayers from us anytime you need it.
Mike I am very sorry you and your family are going through this. Its not fair. Try and be strong for your wife and family, you will be in my thoughts. I hope they figure this out and fix her keep us updated.
It sounds like they are doing all they can. It can definitely get better for her. That is what I'm hoping for and for you Mike. I know you know what is truly important in life. That helps everyone in times like these.
Your wife your family and you will be in our thoughts and prayers Mike. Well said Mr.Fiker.
If you need anything, all you have to do is ask. Juli and I will do what ever we can.
Sounds like she has an infection. They will get to the bottom of it and I'm sure will have an answer very soon.
Keep the updates coming when you can.
Thinking of you all Mike.
Mike - I'm hoping for the best for you and your family. Hoping that the situation turns around quickly and your wife can head home!
I spent last night with my kids. Got them up and off to school this morning. Drove to the hospital to relieve my mother in law. When I get there, its all good news. Her fever is gone. Her blood pressure is stable, and she is off of the medicine for that. They removed the big iv from her neck. And, they are moving her out of intensive care, and up to the 4th floor where we stayed for her surgery.
As of right now, they don't know what caused this. They can't even tell where it started. The blood cultures at 24 hours have given up nothing. They will check again at 48 hours. Her urine tests all came back good too. They are clueless. I really hope they can tell us exactly what it was. I really don't want to go home and have it happen again.
All this news today, and I am so relieved. Thanks guys. I am grateful for all your thoughts and words.
whew ..... ::)
We are on the 4th floor now!!!!!!!! Penthouse suite!!! On top of the world.
Seriously, she may go home tomorrow. They want to watch her another day, and check the blood cultures again tomorrow. They hope to switch her to an aggressive antibiotic pill to take at home. They have to to get her off of the I.V. Things are looking up.
Great news !!! glad to hear it ..
The power of prayer and positive thinking. I'm thinking the Lord didn't want her with him yet. She's not finished being a good wife and mother here. ;D
Great news. Prayers to continue for a speedy recovery and to get her home with her family.
Thats great news.
It never ceases to amaze me of the power in prayer especially when more that one is praying, even though the initial problem seams to have passed we will continue to keep praying!!
All real good news Mike! Very happy for you and your family. Things are heading in the right direction and they're doing the right things.
Thats very good news. We will continue to send thoughts and prayers your way
Just woke up on the morning of day 3. Not that the people here at the hospital let you sleep, even if you can manage to fall asleep on the reclining chair that OS made to sleep in. I feel like I got beat up last night.
I'm a little nervous that she won't be going home today. She spiked a fever early this morning. She feels really hot now too. And, we still have no answer on what caused this.
Our prayers continue and will until you tell us all is good.
I went home and showered, kissed my kids, and ate breakfast. I'm back at the hospital, and they have brought us the news. They say the infection is in her urinary tract. But, they say its not surgery related. The kicker is that when she went in for surgery, they took blood and urine samples, and she was clear. No issues. But, anyways, she's going home today.
The doctor told me it was a good thing I brought her in the other day. He said she was in anaphalactic shock when she got here. Hopefully we are done with hospitals now.
:-*
And now for another monkey wrench. While we are anxiously awaiting going home, they come in and give is more bad news. They did blood work this morning, and apparently her hemoglobin has dropped from 9.8 grams to 9 over night. They are doing urine and stool samples again, and not letting her leave.
Better to make sure they check everything while you are still there even though it is hard and exhausting. Still praying for you Mike!
It's good to get it all checked out and not have to go back and forth. Prayers your way. Here's hoping she's on the mend!!
This is the most exhausting situation I have ever been in. It is crazy how the human body can change its mind and how it reacts to different things.
I did score a new bed for the night! Last night the reclining chair I slept on had my head lower than my feet. That really sucked. I woke up so sore. I went home for a few minutes earlier, and when I got back, I spotted a sweet one at the end of the hall, and snagged it up. I'm a happy guy right now. Hoping to take her home tomorrow.
My thoughts are with you and your wife. I hope she gets to go home tomorrow.
Update......SHE'S HOME!!!!!!!
NICE!
Quote from: mikeszr800 on April 26, 2012, 01:43:10 PM
Update......SHE'S HOME!!!!!!!
Hope she gets to stay there for an extended period :)
There's no place like home. Yea!
Better news!
Quote from: mikeszr800 on April 26, 2012, 01:43:10 PM
Update......SHE'S HOME!!!!!!!
Thats good news. Continued prayers for a succesful and speedy recovery