D4 Update?

[George K]

Long, long update.

First of all, me. I came down with a nasty virus about 3 weeks ago. Some kind of influenza variant that caused a bad bronchitis. Loud, rattly, productive cough that I couldn't shake. It eventually moved up to my ears, sinuses, and nose. I'm a bit better, but still no energy. Lost appetite, and lost about 8 lbs. Finally ate some pizza today.

D4 had her surgery Tuesday as mentioned. She came to stay with us on Saturday and is doing better than I expected. Pain is controlled on oral narcotics. She is wearing a back brace that limits movement and she has been surprisingly active. Incision looks good, but she has some kind of weird rash around the incision that looks like an allergic reaction. PM me if you want a photo. She'll probably stay here through Thursday and then home that evening.

About a week after I got sick, Mrs. George got the virus. Non-stop coughing. Totally debilitating. It got so bad that last Sunday (10 days ago) we went to the ER. Virus panel showed parainfluenza. After a couple of neb treatments, a blast of steroids, she was good enough to go home. She did OK until last Sunday, when the constant cough became so debilitating that she was unable to eat, sleep or rest. Back to the ER on Sunday AM, this time via ambulance. More of the same treatment, but was admitted overnight. She came home yesterday PM in a slightly better condition. It's frustrating because there's really nothing you can do other than supportive care - nebulizer, mucomist, cough suppressant, steroids.

It's been a horrible, horrible month. Sick as hell here, D4 with two spine surgeries, and Mrs. George with two trips to the ER.

Rant on shitty hospital care to follow....

[Jolly]

Rant away. Shitty hospital care has become standard.

Glad to hear D4 is better. Latex rash?

And you and the missus rest and recuperate. Please.

[kluurs]

DAMN! Sorry to hear that things are so rough. That's horrible! Hospital ER - if a teaching hospital - as you've noted, the introduction of new residents. Someone entrepreneurial should put a vending machine in the ER lobby that does instant estate planning. It's a shame all of this is at once.

[George K]

@Jolly said in D4 Update?:

Glad to hear D4 is better. Latex rash?

Possible - I was thinking a reaction to the Ioban.

Link to video

[Mik]

Was her treatment in the hospital very uncoordinated?

[Jolly]

@George-K said in D4 Update?:

@Jolly said in D4 Update?:

Glad to hear D4 is better. Latex rash?

Possible - I was thinking a reaction to the Ioban.

Link to video

Iodine allergy?

[George K]

@Mik said in D4 Update?:

Was her treatment in the hospital very uncoordinated?

D4's treatment at the Northwestern was outstanding. Everything was planned, outlined, and effective. The only problem was a 6 hour delay in transferring pain control meds from one service to another.

She, and I, couldn't be happier.

I've complained about huge hospital care, with not knowing who's driving, etc. However, in her case, with both hospitalizations this month, neither of us have any complaints. Truly outstanding.

[George K]

@Jolly LOL, yup. That's my guess.

In fact, right after I commented, I sent her that EXACT video.

"Yes!!!" she said.

[Mik]

Well, I meant Shirley.

[George K]

@Mik said in D4 Update?:

Well, I meant Shirley.

rant coming...perhaps tomorrow. I'm tired, I'm (still) sick...

[Mik]

Too much to contend with for all of you. May it pass quickly.

[George K]

Remember Queen Elizabeth's comment "Annus horribilis?"

This has been monat horribilis.

[taiwan_girl]

Oh my gosh @George-K So sorry for the wave of things happening to you and your family!!

Hugs and positive thoughts to you!!!

[Horace]

Thought this was an interesting perspective from a frustrated neurosurgeon regarding spinal problems.

Link to video

[taiwan_girl]

@George-K How is your daughter and Mrs George and you doing?

[George K]

I'm 95% there. Still with an occasional cough, a bit productive. This morning, both ears clogged up.

Mrs. George is 90% there. Little, if any, cough. No other symptoms other than fatigue from what the last 3 weeks have been like. Getting some appetite back.

D4 has been at her place since Thursday afternoon. Pain control is...OK. Not great, OK. It's all post surgical stuff so I expect that to improve daily. "Zings" down the leg are less frequent and less intense.

The thing that's really getting her is the overwhelming fatigue. Just getting showered, etc is a major undertaking. I think it's bothering her more than the pain. With a 2 year old and a 6 year old, it gets overwhelming. I told her that she has to remember that this surgery was a MAJOR trauma and it's going to take time from that, and I mean more than just the surgical stuff. She spent 22 days in the hospital, underwent one minor and one major operation. The adrenaline "high" that accompanies that is pretty much gone, and she's on the downslope of the excitement and stress. Her adrenals have been squeezed dry.

Last weekend D2 came down from Cheddarland to help out. I suggested that she hire a "mother's helper" for a couple of weeks to help with the boys, cooking, laundry, etc. SIL has not been able to because he's still working full-time.

[taiwan_girl]

POsitive news! Excellent!!

[kluurs]

I remember putting socks on might take 45 minutes - kind of like a painful game of ring toss. I'd be terrified of the children - just so easy to violate protocol and try too much. I hope she has some meddlesome neighbors who can bring in some food - and borrow the kids.

[Mik]

Getting cut on in any form takes something out of you. She needs to give herself time.

[George K]

@kluurs said in D4 Update?:

I remember putting socks on might take 45 minutes

When D4 was in the hospital after her 1st operation, Occupational Therapy came with all kinds of gizmos to help with ADL (Activities of Daily Living).

She was in complete awe of the sock helper.