DH was feeling really good and strong when he came home on Friday - I thought we might be "home free." He was tired, went to bed, slept most of the afternoon, ate dinner, went back to bed. He has been sleeping almost around the clock for 2 days - at first I thought it was the pain pills. Then I realized he wasn't taking them. I made DH get up this morning - he doesn't need to be sleeping around the clock and I wanted to check on what was going on with him. He ate a little breakfast but went back to bed. I made him get up about an hour later and check his blood sugar...511...normal is 75-125. I gave him 10 units of R insulin and told him the pump is apparently not working. I made him stay up. (He had put his insulin pump back on when we got home. Apparently it was not managing his glucose.) I told him we either get it down or its 911/hospital for him, cause those are coma/stroke numbers.
DH changed his pump attachments, reset it, and his BS was down to 275 when I fed him lunch at about 1:15. He gave himself a bolus through the pump to get him over the intake of carbs from lunch. I will recheck in about an hour. If its still high, its another shot of R.
I am hoping this is a problem with the pump (his operation of it); otherwise this can signal infection...we do not want another bout of infection at the wound site like we had last fall.
I am trying to get him somewhat on his feet today because I will be gone for a long work day tomorrow and Tuesday, and will be in a video conference room unable to accept phone calls from DH. Needless to say, if his glucose level is sky high it will be a stressful day for both of us -- he will be ill and I will be worried.
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
July 16, 2010 - We're Home
Phone rang before alarm went off...DH says doc said he could be discharged after rounds. I told him it would be later - I had to go to work first. Finished what I had to do for work about 10:15, called hospital and told hubby to have them meet me at valet parking...I didn't want to park in the garage, get the scooter out and put it together, go over to the hospital, make a trip back to the car, take scooter apart, reload the scooter, get out of the parking garage and then find a place to pick up hubby. To my amazement, they did it. Staff and hubby were waiting for me at valet at the arranged time of 10:45. We got home, hubby got pump hooked back up, I fed him, he took meds, crashed in bed with 2 dogs and 2 cats. I went back to work (from home).
At the end of the day I checked on him, he was still knocked out from the drugs, so I ran to the sewing center and picked up my Singer 645. I can hardly wait to try it out...I'm going to hook it up tonight to see if it runs/sews like I need it to, and then tomorrow I'm going to start working on daughter's project again. It was supposed to be for her birthday - maybe she'll get it for Christmas?
Hubby woke up before dinner (I woke him up checking on him). A little bit later I heard a crash in the kitchen. I thought he had pulled out the ice maker tray and spilled it all over the place. Turns out it wasn't the ice maker tray - it was him. He lost his balance and fell on the tile floor. I hope to high heaven he hasn't done any damage to his neck/back. Can you say here we go again?
Looks like things are kinda back to normal - its the weekend! Next week will be a tough one for work...I'll be teaching a 2-day class to folks out of state (via video teleconferencing), which means strange work hours for me. I'm always tired after those events. But its a short work week.
Looking forward to some day being able to sing the following song - to the tune of "There's a Song in the Air."
"There's a smile on my face,
tho' mem'ries I embrace;
There's a song in my heart,
tho' from you I must part.
"For I've worked all my life,
Seems forever and more;
But thank God its over,
and I'll toil no more."
That's by me, a little jingle thought out today as I was thinking this morning on the way to the office about the fact that I am worn out from burning the candle from both ends!!!
At the end of the day I checked on him, he was still knocked out from the drugs, so I ran to the sewing center and picked up my Singer 645. I can hardly wait to try it out...I'm going to hook it up tonight to see if it runs/sews like I need it to, and then tomorrow I'm going to start working on daughter's project again. It was supposed to be for her birthday - maybe she'll get it for Christmas?
Hubby woke up before dinner (I woke him up checking on him). A little bit later I heard a crash in the kitchen. I thought he had pulled out the ice maker tray and spilled it all over the place. Turns out it wasn't the ice maker tray - it was him. He lost his balance and fell on the tile floor. I hope to high heaven he hasn't done any damage to his neck/back. Can you say here we go again?
Looks like things are kinda back to normal - its the weekend! Next week will be a tough one for work...I'll be teaching a 2-day class to folks out of state (via video teleconferencing), which means strange work hours for me. I'm always tired after those events. But its a short work week.
Looking forward to some day being able to sing the following song - to the tune of "There's a Song in the Air."
"There's a smile on my face,
tho' mem'ries I embrace;
There's a song in my heart,
tho' from you I must part.
"For I've worked all my life,
Seems forever and more;
But thank God its over,
and I'll toil no more."
That's by me, a little jingle thought out today as I was thinking this morning on the way to the office about the fact that I am worn out from burning the candle from both ends!!!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
July 15 - Hubby's Status Today
We thought DH would make it home from the hospital today, but doc decided he needed to stay one more day. Glucose is settling down (low) and he had to reject an insulin shot for dinner - no way could he take the ordered 12 units when his level was 77 and he was about to eat a diabetic diet (very few carbs). The will recheck later tonight.
He is off everything, dressed, tired, ready to come home. Still on antibiotic "just in case." All his normal meds have been restored so he is more like his "normal" self - and that's about as good as it gets. The two dogs, two cats, and I are ready for him to come home -- I'm worn out from the trips to the hospital, going to work, trips back to the hospital, etc. We're looking forward to the break of coming home before the next surgery.
So, now what do I do??? Hopefully I can get back to playing with my antique sewing machines. I hope to pick one of them up from the shop tomorrow. I was in the middle of completing a project for my daughter's birthday (July 1) when my life changed and took a different turn. I am so close to finishing that one - I really want to get it done and delivered. I have another project to start coming right on the heels of that one...a grandson has a birthday coming in September and I have a snuggle blanket waiting in the wings for him. I need to get it made and to him before he grows too old - he'll be 7 in September. He is the cutest thing...just a sweetheart. Of course, all of them are, he's just the next one in the birthday line!
He is off everything, dressed, tired, ready to come home. Still on antibiotic "just in case." All his normal meds have been restored so he is more like his "normal" self - and that's about as good as it gets. The two dogs, two cats, and I are ready for him to come home -- I'm worn out from the trips to the hospital, going to work, trips back to the hospital, etc. We're looking forward to the break of coming home before the next surgery.
So, now what do I do??? Hopefully I can get back to playing with my antique sewing machines. I hope to pick one of them up from the shop tomorrow. I was in the middle of completing a project for my daughter's birthday (July 1) when my life changed and took a different turn. I am so close to finishing that one - I really want to get it done and delivered. I have another project to start coming right on the heels of that one...a grandson has a birthday coming in September and I have a snuggle blanket waiting in the wings for him. I need to get it made and to him before he grows too old - he'll be 7 in September. He is the cutest thing...just a sweetheart. Of course, all of them are, he's just the next one in the birthday line!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
July 14, 2010 - DH's Evening Status
It's been a great day...DH is doing well. They got him up, he had a sponge bath, they removed all the drains, took him off the IV but left the port for antibiotics later, he has on his own clothes, he's been all around the hallway with PT, he's still in quite a bit of pain, but his blood sugar is MUCH better - in fact, it bottomed out before dinner and they had to give him OJ and graham crackers. I am afraid they have overloaded him with insulin before dinner - gave him 15 units and his level was only up to 98 at the time. That's too much insulin to cover his diabetic diet. If everything stabilizes I may get to bring him home tomorrow evening - if not, maybe on Friday. Still waiting for cultures of course.
I took DH a diet cherry limeade from Sonic today...he loves those. Still trying to encourage his appetite.
More tomorrow.
I took DH a diet cherry limeade from Sonic today...he loves those. Still trying to encourage his appetite.
More tomorrow.
July 14, 2010 - Morning Status
Day 2 after surgery. Just spoke with DH. He's very groggy. Says he didn't get much sleep because staff was in/out all night doing things to him. Catheter has been removed, and as always he's worried to death about his blood sugar and insulin. He's back on a liquid diet and instead of eating what they bring him he tends to not eat anything because of fear it will raise the glucose level. Problem with that is, they give him insulin before he eats so if he doesn't eat everything they bring him he bottoms out. Hopefully someone will be checking on him often because I have to go to work instead of to the hospital. Hopefully by the time I post status tonight he will be better.
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
July 13, 2010 - 24 Hours After Ken's Surgery
After working from home this morning, I went by the hospital to see DH before heading to the office. It was ot a really good scene. He was so nauseous, just really sick to his tummy, and breakfast was setting in front of him. His glucose level was extremely high - he's off the pump, and all the stress, anesthesia, antibiotics, etc. is making the blood sugar spike. They were unable to give him his daily meds because he would be unable to keep them down. I warned them that they would regret it!! He get in a full-blown tiz without them. However, he actually was pretty good - he was just worried that he wasn't going to get enough insulin to bring the blood sugar down.
I went by after work - he was about in the same condition but a little more awake. He was sitting up in a chair, dinner in front of him, feeling sick to his stomach and hurling in a bucket. He was unable to eat the food. I had taken him a sugar-free strawberry smoothie and he was managing to get that down a little at a time. He had also, earlier this morning, been able to drink a can of glucerna and keep it down. We requested they bring him one for dinner as well. The nurse says they are going to put him back on a liquid diet because right now he's not able to hold food down. Gotta get all the gunk out of his system first.
He's doing very well for what he's been through. He's got pain, which is expected; and he hates the neck brace thingy; and he hates being hooked up to all the tubes. But one day at a time. I'm hoping he will be able to come home before the week is over.
Other news? I came home last night and thought our black cocker mix was dying. She would not or could not get up and took on so badly. The doxie and I went to bed and she never came to the bedroom. this morning I had a difficult time getting her to wake up to go outside - she lay there as though she was dying. But she's not...she takes on like this whenever her daddy is gone. Last year she sat at the door between the house and garage and cried the whole time. This time she just lays there as tho' she's taking her last breaths. Indeed the pets around here are just as dramatic as the rest of the members of this family. I'll post more tomorrow. I've got to find food...I am trying to survive but it's tough - there are no coke zeroes in this house - I failed to buy them over the weekend and I was unable to talk myself into stopping at the store on the way home. I may have to make a trip to CVS before going to bed.
I went by after work - he was about in the same condition but a little more awake. He was sitting up in a chair, dinner in front of him, feeling sick to his stomach and hurling in a bucket. He was unable to eat the food. I had taken him a sugar-free strawberry smoothie and he was managing to get that down a little at a time. He had also, earlier this morning, been able to drink a can of glucerna and keep it down. We requested they bring him one for dinner as well. The nurse says they are going to put him back on a liquid diet because right now he's not able to hold food down. Gotta get all the gunk out of his system first.
He's doing very well for what he's been through. He's got pain, which is expected; and he hates the neck brace thingy; and he hates being hooked up to all the tubes. But one day at a time. I'm hoping he will be able to come home before the week is over.
Other news? I came home last night and thought our black cocker mix was dying. She would not or could not get up and took on so badly. The doxie and I went to bed and she never came to the bedroom. this morning I had a difficult time getting her to wake up to go outside - she lay there as though she was dying. But she's not...she takes on like this whenever her daddy is gone. Last year she sat at the door between the house and garage and cried the whole time. This time she just lays there as tho' she's taking her last breaths. Indeed the pets around here are just as dramatic as the rest of the members of this family. I'll post more tomorrow. I've got to find food...I am trying to survive but it's tough - there are no coke zeroes in this house - I failed to buy them over the weekend and I was unable to talk myself into stopping at the store on the way home. I may have to make a trip to CVS before going to bed.
July 13, 2010 - Ken's Surgery Yesterday
We showed up at the hospital at 1:00 yesterday afternoon as instructed only to discover the doc had been trying to get hold of us all morning to move DH's surgery up earlier. He had already turned off and packed his phone so didn't get the messages, so the surgery after us was moved up to before us. That surgery ended up taking much longer than anticipated, so DH's procedure started much later. They finally took him from pre-op to an operating room about 5:30, but didn't start on him until after 6. The procedure took about 3.5 hours and that didn't count closing him up. It was very late when I was allowed back to recovery to see him. At that time he was having a rough time - nauseated due to anesthesia, crying with much pain in his neck, etc.
Yesterday was difficult - not only the waiting, but DH had been without his meds as well as food due to the anticipated surgery. The anestheologist came by to talk with us during the afternoon and agreed to give DH an anxiety med through the IV. DH had also been without insulin all day and his glucose was climbing. It was almost 300 when he was taken back for surgery. The neuro doc was unable to get hold of our endocrinologist so came to me to talk about how to handle DH's glucose. DH is normally on a pump, but when Ken is not on a pump (ill or pump not working) I usually handle his glucose according to instructions I have from the endo.
I finally left the hospital after midnight, got home, took care of the babies, and crashed at about 2 this morning. DH was still in recovery, was rather knocked out due to pain meds and phenegren (sp?) for nausea, and barely knew I left. He has been assigned a room (577), but staff did not know what time he might be moved there. I need to run by the hospital this morning before I head in to work.
Thank you to friends Susan and Howard for coming to the hospital to be with me - it was a good break to get to talk with them for a bit while good friend Pam T. sat with DH. I'm not sure how folks get through life without great friends.
I will try to update again tonight...although today will most likely be difficult for DH, hopefully his status will be positive and the hospitalization will be short.
Yesterday was difficult - not only the waiting, but DH had been without his meds as well as food due to the anticipated surgery. The anestheologist came by to talk with us during the afternoon and agreed to give DH an anxiety med through the IV. DH had also been without insulin all day and his glucose was climbing. It was almost 300 when he was taken back for surgery. The neuro doc was unable to get hold of our endocrinologist so came to me to talk about how to handle DH's glucose. DH is normally on a pump, but when Ken is not on a pump (ill or pump not working) I usually handle his glucose according to instructions I have from the endo.
I finally left the hospital after midnight, got home, took care of the babies, and crashed at about 2 this morning. DH was still in recovery, was rather knocked out due to pain meds and phenegren (sp?) for nausea, and barely knew I left. He has been assigned a room (577), but staff did not know what time he might be moved there. I need to run by the hospital this morning before I head in to work.
Thank you to friends Susan and Howard for coming to the hospital to be with me - it was a good break to get to talk with them for a bit while good friend Pam T. sat with DH. I'm not sure how folks get through life without great friends.
I will try to update again tonight...although today will most likely be difficult for DH, hopefully his status will be positive and the hospitalization will be short.
Monday, July 12, 2010
July 12, 2010 - Monday
DH and I were up early - dishes done, laundry started, cat box changed, doxie finally out of bed and moved to the sofa, kitchen cleaned up, DH's hospital bag packed for me to take later, what real work I needed to do before heading out is complete. Now time to do the final things before heading to the hospital. I hate these kinds of days because I come back alone and its really tough. I won't sleep well again until DH is back home, and I almost always get sick while he's away...probably due to too much stress.
We are looking forward to being on the other side of this even though there will be more to face in the near-term. At least this much will be in the past.
We are looking forward to being on the other side of this even though there will be more to face in the near-term. At least this much will be in the past.
Sunday, July 11, 2010
July 11, 2010 - The Weekend
DH and I belong to a social organization called After 5.0 Connections. DH and I scheduled ourselves as host/hostess for a Saturday nite dinner for the gang and volunteered to make homemade lasagna and spaghetti. It was a great excuse to clean up the joint and get some long-needed work done around here. We were terrified that no one would come to our place, but we were so pleasantly surprised when we had a super turnout! Everyone brought goodies to share, and thankfully the chicken as well as the beef lasagnas turned out ok.
Anyway, it was fun to have everybody here - they've not been here before - because I think of our house as being small and not large enough to entertain folks. But, we managed and we'll do this again, not only with 5.0 but we'll start inviting others over as well.
Sunday morning we went to Sunday School. We have been gone the past few weekends, but today we got to attend our friend Tonya's last series presentation on Revelation. Lot of food for thought and now inspired to re-read the entire book.
I was supposed to attend a quilting bee today, and I actually got my act together to go but realized by the time I got there it would be about time to come home. So instead I crashed for a couple of hours. I did do some real work for my job for a while and completed some things I needed to complete tomorrow. Other than that, I haven't done anything worthwhile the rest of the day. Kinda resting up for the events of this next week.
I will work from home tomorrow morning for a while, but we will leave for the hospital at about 11:30. Ken has neuro surgery tomorrow afternoon and we have to check into the hospital by 1. He likes to get there early in case there are any surprises. The surgery is going to be an undo of what they did last fall - that surgery made things worse rather than better. He will be in the horrible neck apparatus for some time afterward and a decision will be made whether or not to go back to surgery, going through the front of the neck to stabilize the back. I am dreading this for him. It sure puts a damper on the summer for us and probably the fall as well. I'll try to keep up the postings on here to let everyone know what's going on with him. All prayers appreciated.
Anyway, it was fun to have everybody here - they've not been here before - because I think of our house as being small and not large enough to entertain folks. But, we managed and we'll do this again, not only with 5.0 but we'll start inviting others over as well.
Sunday morning we went to Sunday School. We have been gone the past few weekends, but today we got to attend our friend Tonya's last series presentation on Revelation. Lot of food for thought and now inspired to re-read the entire book.
I was supposed to attend a quilting bee today, and I actually got my act together to go but realized by the time I got there it would be about time to come home. So instead I crashed for a couple of hours. I did do some real work for my job for a while and completed some things I needed to complete tomorrow. Other than that, I haven't done anything worthwhile the rest of the day. Kinda resting up for the events of this next week.
I will work from home tomorrow morning for a while, but we will leave for the hospital at about 11:30. Ken has neuro surgery tomorrow afternoon and we have to check into the hospital by 1. He likes to get there early in case there are any surprises. The surgery is going to be an undo of what they did last fall - that surgery made things worse rather than better. He will be in the horrible neck apparatus for some time afterward and a decision will be made whether or not to go back to surgery, going through the front of the neck to stabilize the back. I am dreading this for him. It sure puts a damper on the summer for us and probably the fall as well. I'll try to keep up the postings on here to let everyone know what's going on with him. All prayers appreciated.
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
July 6, 2010
Busy busy 4th of July weekend, off yesterday. Had sworn since we have PEOPLE coming to our house for dinner next weekend that I would clean house. Didn't happen. I managed to hold down the sofa most of the day, resting up from the weekend in anticipation of going to work today.
I did go to work today...from my home office. I had documents to review and work to accoomplish but no meetings, so was a great day to work from home. Sometimes this is great because during lunch I can rest on the bed or sofa. My old age and health love naps and rest times, as does Bennie the dachshund. Today was different - instead of resting during lunch break, DH and I started cleaning the bedroom - meaning, taking mattress/box springs off the bed, moving furniture, cleaning out dust bunnies, cat and dog hair, and all of that. So much dirt in there. It was beginning to take shape when I went back to work an hour later. During break we did more. We will finish when I stop working for the day. Only a million more things to do before PEOPLE arrive Sat. evening!!! I need to learn how to make lasagna!!!
I did go to work today...from my home office. I had documents to review and work to accoomplish but no meetings, so was a great day to work from home. Sometimes this is great because during lunch I can rest on the bed or sofa. My old age and health love naps and rest times, as does Bennie the dachshund. Today was different - instead of resting during lunch break, DH and I started cleaning the bedroom - meaning, taking mattress/box springs off the bed, moving furniture, cleaning out dust bunnies, cat and dog hair, and all of that. So much dirt in there. It was beginning to take shape when I went back to work an hour later. During break we did more. We will finish when I stop working for the day. Only a million more things to do before PEOPLE arrive Sat. evening!!! I need to learn how to make lasagna!!!
Monday, July 5, 2010
July 4, 2010 Weekend
Great fun this weekend. DH and I belong to Frontier Sam's chapter of the Good Sam's Club (RV). This was chapter monthly camping weekend as well as July 4 celebration. DH took C's Castle to the RV park located about 45 minutes away from home, set it up and visited with fellow chapter friends while I worked on Friday. I caught up with him later. Cloudy skies, rained through the night, but still pleasant. Great fun - DH enjoys playing games in the clubhouse and even I played a couple of hands of the card game called Golf. I am easily bored by games, and Saturday was no exception. I found myself wishing I had brought along my crochet, quilting, piano keyboard or something to entertain myself. I usually do but intentionally didn't this time so that I would be in the clubhouse more. I have a tendency to hole up in the rig where I do my "thing" while DH socializes.
I had a great time visiting with friends, for Saturday night the hosts had brats and hamburgers and the rest of us furnished side dishes and desserts. We all ate way more than we should have!!! We always over indulge.
Saturday night DH and I cleaned up the coach, and packed everything we could in preparation for an early return home this morning. We needed to get home because we had a party with another super group of friends this afternoon! We got home by 8:45 this morning (including unloading the coach and taking it back to storage). We got caught up with email, facebook, made a trip to WalMart for hot dog and hamburger buns, and got read to head to the home of friends for the cook out/swim party. Like the RV group, these people know how to prepare food!! There is no way to lose weight or refrain from gaining weight - well, maybe there is, but the food makes it tough to do.
DH was in food heaven -- the cookout was hamburgers, hot dogs and brats. Wow, some of his favorite foods. Afterward the weather held and we got to play in the pool -- not too hot outside and the pool water was perfect temp.
Now its down time -- doggies and DH have gone to bed and here I am ... think I'm going to grab a diet coke, my anti-rejection drugs, a shot of insulin, and turn in for the night and maybe watch "What Not to Wear" episodes I've missed since Thursday!!! You all have a great night. I need to rest a bit in preparation for cleaning this monster house tomorrow -- we have a dinner party next Saturday and there's no way I'll let them in the door with the house looking the way it does right this minute!!!
I had a great time visiting with friends, for Saturday night the hosts had brats and hamburgers and the rest of us furnished side dishes and desserts. We all ate way more than we should have!!! We always over indulge.
Saturday night DH and I cleaned up the coach, and packed everything we could in preparation for an early return home this morning. We needed to get home because we had a party with another super group of friends this afternoon! We got home by 8:45 this morning (including unloading the coach and taking it back to storage). We got caught up with email, facebook, made a trip to WalMart for hot dog and hamburger buns, and got read to head to the home of friends for the cook out/swim party. Like the RV group, these people know how to prepare food!! There is no way to lose weight or refrain from gaining weight - well, maybe there is, but the food makes it tough to do.
DH was in food heaven -- the cookout was hamburgers, hot dogs and brats. Wow, some of his favorite foods. Afterward the weather held and we got to play in the pool -- not too hot outside and the pool water was perfect temp.
Now its down time -- doggies and DH have gone to bed and here I am ... think I'm going to grab a diet coke, my anti-rejection drugs, a shot of insulin, and turn in for the night and maybe watch "What Not to Wear" episodes I've missed since Thursday!!! You all have a great night. I need to rest a bit in preparation for cleaning this monster house tomorrow -- we have a dinner party next Saturday and there's no way I'll let them in the door with the house looking the way it does right this minute!!!
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Meaning of the Blog Title
I tried to think of a title for my blog and realized it would be about many things, not one topic. I thought about the Rennaisance Woman, or One Who Likes Many Things, or some descriptive title that would indicate this blog will be multi-faceted. The title I settled on is, of course, a reference to the Biblical story of Joseph and the Coat of Many Colors as well as to the Dolly Parton song of the same title. It also is a reference to the fact that there are many "colors" of life, many interests, many hobbies, many likes/dislikes. That describes me.
I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, co-worker, kidney transplant recipient, doll collector, quilter, crocheter, angel collector, dog and cat owner, rv'er, family researcher, reader, piano player, and many more descriptive nouns. I'm sure I will add to those descriptions of me as time goes by...I hope I always develop new interests.
I am a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, friend, co-worker, kidney transplant recipient, doll collector, quilter, crocheter, angel collector, dog and cat owner, rv'er, family researcher, reader, piano player, and many more descriptive nouns. I'm sure I will add to those descriptions of me as time goes by...I hope I always develop new interests.
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