Howard and I had a great time at the GTG - the food and wine were wonderful, great conversation, and I loved hearing everyone's travel stories. We are looking forward to similar meetings in the future! Sorry we didn't get a chance to talk more with everyone... we'll all have to switch dinner tables next time!
We had a great time eating, drinking wine and meeting many Florida STers. Thanks to Doug and Judith for putting this together. Winter Park was a super location.
I am so sorry I missed it, but I couldn't take the chance of having a bug. I don't know if I had a bug or a panic attack. I felt crappy all day Saturday, Sunday and part of Monday, but I didn't have the usual flu symptoms. No fever, no aches, but I did not feel well.
I haven't had one in so long, but it felt like one. Heavy chest, upset stomach, cold hands, disorientation, blah, blah, blah. I finally took a valium yesterday at bedtime and felt better today.
For those of you who don't read the Group Blog, I spoke with Ida today. Bill made it through a long, but successful surgery. The aneurism was "large and nasty, and ready to burst" according to the surgeon. Bill is in ICU for 24 hrs. with a whopper of a headache.
Ida and Bill appreciate all your good wishes and prayers.
Bill and I are back home after a pretty traumatic time for both of us. Physically for him and mentally for me. I've now been on the other side and I hate it. After a 3.5 hr drive we arrived home this afternoon and now Bill is running a fever and I have this feeling of dread and imposing doom that we will have to go back to the hosp. I pray not because like Bill I also feel like the walking dead because I haven't slept for 4 days. I would never wish my experience on anyone. 4 to 6 week recovery period for him with me as his nurse.I am so worried.
Ida, please know that many of us here at ST are thinking of you and Bill and sending our best wishes. It must have been a terrible thing to go through, and still is, and my heart goes out to both of you.
Be strong. You'll get through this....feel our many arms of support around you both.
Only those of us who have been there, understand how frightening, exhausting, and overwhelming it can be trying to take care of a very sick loved one. Please know that I am keeping you both in my prayers. The human body is a marvelous thing, it can heal itself, but it does take time.
As much as I am concerned about Bill, I am also very concerned about you. Sweetheart, do you think that maybe you should hire a nurse for Bill instead of you trying to do it all yourself? I know you want to be a strong supportive part of his recovery but it just makes sense, even for a couple of weeks, to let someone else shoulder the nursing end, while you provide the emotional and spiritual resources. It isn't going to do anyone any good if you burn yourself out.
If I can be of any help, I'm only a couple of hours away. I've been down your road so I do know how you feel.
This is just like having a newborn again.Up every 4 hrs. Get um up, washed ,fed and propped up in a chair for awhile, try to get chores done and then maybe both can nap. I have to admit he looks better this morning or maybe I'm just used to it. It's hard on Bill as he's always on the go and doesn't like staying put.Time, that's what it'll take and patience. Thanks for listening and caring.
The best thing in life, as I have found as time progresses, is the loyalty of your partner whenever you're sick as you need someone to champion you cause.
Bill's lucky to have you and keep us posted when the 'baby' takes his first steps and holds his own bottle!
From the tone of your report, he sounds as if he is doing better. How's the fever??? Down I hope!!
Keep us posted as we are ALL with you....
Doug
ANCORA IMPARO
Posts: 2069 | Location: Winter Park, FL | Registered: 18 May 2005
Still running a low grade temp. 100.or 100.4...that's what makes me a little nervous. His affect is much slower and not Bill. I think it's the meds.They are a depressant. Trying to get stuff down around here...the pool is next while Bill naps. I think the computer and you ST friends are my sanity. Palma was so right when she encouraged me to join long ago.
Low grade temps after a major surgery are normal from what I know but if it jumps, call the doctor.
I assume he is on antibiotics which should help. If you have doubts, call your doctor and get the on call doctor to call you back. You can also call Shands and have the department head for where you were to address your concerns.
The depressants will slow him down and, considering what he had done, he should really be taking it easy with not a lot of excitement. As Bill is an active guy as you say, that's good to keep him 'down'.
Keep us posted Ida as we'll are the rest of the 'family'.
If you need help, let any of us know. It sounds like you have the same scenario as Judith and I... it's just Bill & you with no immediate family or friends(close by) to pull on when you need the help. I am about an hour from you at best.
I'll check my email periodically today...
Doug
ANCORA IMPARO
Posts: 2069 | Location: Winter Park, FL | Registered: 18 May 2005
Ida, Doug is right. A low-grade fever is not out of the norm for a few days post-op. Keep an eye on him, and of course, no aspirin or NSAIDs that would thin his blood, only Tylenol.
Don't even hesitate to call that doc with any questions or concerns.
Terry ,he is taking 2 fiorcets q6h ,they contain tylenol plus I gave him Advil in between because they were not controlling the pain. At this moment he is pain free. In the hosp they were also giving him celebrex , zantac and subcut heparin.Guess I better stop the advil?? HMMMMMMMM
Slow Travel Talk 
