Norm is finally home

Norm came home today after two long weeks in the hospital.  He ended up in ICU, went back to the regular floor, started to recover again when he  got hit with a large hernia at his incision which required more surgery.  He is finally home and I hope to stay.  He is still in a lot of pain and discomfort and has a slight fever.  I just pray for a complete recovery.

Norm's surgery

Norm had surgery on Monday to remove part of his large colon.   They also removed his appendix and nicked part of his small intestine. 

He had been having a lot of pain the past two days and it was not going well this morning.  His b/p dropped, heart rate elevated and his blood count also elevated. 

They moved him to the ICU this morning after pumping his stomach and are closely monitoring him trying to decide if he needs more surgery.  His b/p is still low and he has a slight fever.

The staff here has been great as far as seeing to his needs and keeping on top of things.  It's been hard to sleep with him often struggling to breathe plus all the lights and noises of the ICU.  We had hoped to be heading home by now but probably won't be out for awhile yet.

Your prayers are most coveted.  

Post flood......

     It has been two and a half months since a little anticipated tropical storm totally uprooted our lives.  We FINALLY got the insurance settlement.  We just signed it the beginning of this week but dealing with them has not been fun.  It seemed like one conflicting story after another -  and the politics!  It is so frustrating to be forced to deal with politics from something we had no control over and did not want and would not wish on anyone.  

     To add drama to the mix, we are preparing for Norm's surgery on Monday. He will be having part of his colon removed.  It has been stressful to think about all of the possibilities associated with that.   This stems from the episode during Hurricane Irene in which large blood loss caused Norm to pass out.

     In October we dealt with a similar situation with Norm's young nephew, Mason, who just turned three a few days ago.  Mason had been experiencing a lot of pain and stomach virus symptoms.  It was first thought to be Intussusception and a stomach virus and the surgeon wanted to send him home but Norm's brother insisted they check further and it was discovered he had a ruptured appendix.  He is still recovering from that but making improvements every day.
    We keep getting comments about our positive attitudes and how we are a good witness....but I don't always feel that way.  I guess I look at it as we are put in this situation and we can choose to moan and complain, but no one wants to hear/read that.  I don't enjoy reading posts on Facebook by people who constantly complain and I know others don't either and I guess I don't want to be that type of person.  I suppose I would rather just put a positive spin on things, but I don't enjoy being compared to a saint because I certainly do not feel like one.

My surgery

My surgery on Thursday did not go like they hoped. The tumor was even larger than anicipated. It almost filled an 8 1/2 x 11 cake pan. The anticipated 1 1/2 - 2 hour surgery ended up taking four. There were some aspects with the tumor that looked suspicious so they sent it out for testing and we are still waiting the results from that.Because of their suspicions, not only did they remove the uterus, but also both ovaries, some lymph nodes and a few other things. They could not use my prev. c-section cut because of the immense size. The incision runs all the way up to like two inches above my belly button.

I came home on Sunday. Norm has been wonderful with taking care of me. He makes sure I walk and helps me dress. All the little things you take for granted and I am so grateful for him. I have not seen that kind of loving care from any man for any woman since I used to work in a nursing home 20 years ago and my old third grade teacher was there and her husband took such loving care of her. Even the most menial, embarressing tasks he has just stepped up and helped me with and it has made me feel very loved and cherished. I love you, Norm.

We go to the dr. tomorrw to hopefully get my train tracks down my belly removed. Will try and update later. Get tired very easily!