Bill Update

It has been one week since Bill had his back surgery.  He is doing better.  The first couple of days he was still working out all the anesthesia out of his system.  He was not his old self.  He didn't sleep well.  He was up, he was down, then he was up again.  I felt like I was constantly running around trying to help him with things.  I thought to myself, "Shouldn't he be sleeping?"  The 4th day after surgery was the worst for him...and for me.  He was in pain, his incision was oozing blood, he was grouchy and demanding, he didn't want to see anybody, he couldn't get comfortable and I heard, "Oooooh honey!"  about 50 million times.  I'm sorry to say my patience wore thin and I was not very sympathetic that day. 

Fortunately, things have improved since that day.  His pain meds are working even though he has now cut back on how many he takes, he sleeps most of the day and night and is getting good rest (which should help him to heal), the incision is closing and shows no signs of infection, he is drinking lots of water (but still eats hardly anything), he wears his belt support, today he walked up and down the driveway and went on a short ride to the store to get out of the house (he didn't go in the store but waited in the car for me).  And most important of all, he is appreciative of my efforts to help him and he is trying to be more independent in what he can do for himself. 

When the pain gets bad, I keep reminding him that it will get better, it just takes time.  I guess that's one of life's lessons that we all have to learn...when things seem bad, remember that things always get better ... eventually.  Have patience and faith and things will work out.

Bill's Surgery

Five days ago Bill had back surgery to open up and fuse two vertabrae in his lower back.  Those 2 vertabrae were 90% closed, pinching off the nerve bundles from the spinal cord.  We had hoped to do it 2 weeks earlier, but were delayed because an irregular heartbeat showed up on an EKG when he was in the operating room.  During the next week, he had an ultrasound, EKG and an angiogram.  We were relieved to find out that there was a weakening in his heart but no blockage so we could proceed with the back surgery. 
The surgery went well and took less than 1 1/2 hours.  The first 2 days in the hospital went well too, Bill had some pain, but he was up and walking the next day.  Then we came home.  Not so good.  He is experiencing more pain and discomfort.  He had some bleeding from the incision yesterday (today it is much better).  He keeps saying that he never knew it was going to be this bad.  Since I have never had back surgery, I can't pretend to know what it is like.  I am sure it is miserable, just like the doctor said it would be initially.  I keep reminding him that this is temporary and that it will get better as he heals. 
His back problems had progressed to the point that it inhibited his ability to walk, travel and do anything that required physical activity.  I am hopeful that it will all be worth it in the next few weeks and months as he recuperates and that he will have much less pain on a daily basis than he has had for the last 10+ years.  We will hope and pray for the best as healing progresses.