Layers of stress .. now DH hospitalized

[quietdynamics]

I've been mostly MIA, as I have not been feeling so well for some time.
And then life stuff.
DH has not been well for about a week or two before Easter.. and he always bounces back. Now sleeping, not eating, etc
Drs. --> antibiotics, then another course of them. Me "I am taking you to ER!"
DH had heart attack last spring. Another stent put in (he has had multiple by-pass in his mid 40's)
Called Cardio Thus and went to Dr. Tests would take few days for insurance approval. DH is grey. Cardio is an hour away, not affiliated with nearest hosp. So we agreed I would drive him to affiliated Hosp (same where he was transported last year) to ER in the morning.

Plan get from point A to B. Heart symptoms to diagnosis.
Except labs come back and DH has 50% of normal blood volume ---> transfusion.
DH: two weeks of tarry stools off and on. Dr. statement, " You have been bleeding to death".

Image popped into my mind of when I was dating DH. Dear young daughter and I were driving to his home pre Christmas at night. A rain storm, on a slightly winding river road, not much traffic. Point A to point B. Suddenly a mature tree came down in front of the car and we were literally in the top branches. Could not go forward, nor backward. We were fine.  People stopped ran to us and then moved branches, rocked car and police came to help.
I feel DH will be fine.
Last year with the heart attack his insulin number were so off.. the issue was heart attack and combating diabetic coma in the ER.

We were hoping to circumvent added stress on his body by being proactive this time.. maybe we were.

[Joe S.]

omg, that can be stressful. I hope he folly recovers soon.

[SjoDry]

QD,

So sorry to hear this. Boy things have a way of crashing in on you at the same time..no pun intended.

I am glad that you are getting hubby taken care of. It is so hard when you are trying to care for someone when barely functioning yourself.
I hope things let up soon.

You are both in my thoughts.
Take Care.
SjoDry

[quietdynamics]

Waiting to hear if, when DH will be released from hospital today.

After stabliziation (transfusion: 3 units)
Kidneys.. check.
Cardiologist performed Cardiac catheterization to assess if DH could handle anesthesia for Gastro
Cardio.. some work in future, Angioplasty. Stents look good and Echo-cardiogram ordered.

Gastro found Gastritis (no cancer, ulcer) with some areas which have scabbing.
Took biopsy.  And testing for Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori).  I actually wrote H. Pylori on his hand in pen so he would not forget to ask Gastro to test for it. .... DH forgot..lol.

DH very often has heartburn, acid stomach and uses baking soda. I kept saying that it not normal.
Possible the combination of meds, antibiotics and he was taking 3 Advils for foot pain/sore being treated by Podiatrist.

We will have a better understanding at follow-up appts.. when Drs. have all tests results.

So we are feeling blessed that stent is good and no cancer detected.

Last year we were told due to poor circulation more severe in left leg (diabetic neuropathy.)... he could lose his foot. 
So among other things there are medical specters that haunt our thoughts, esp. in crisis mode.

Thank you for the positive thoughts and messages.

I was in the store picking up a few things.. and found myself scoping out folks around me.. looking for someone who would have been my Mothers' age.  I just really wanted a Mom hug. I got a few from neighbor. It is what we do.

Guess stress caused some headache and sores on inner lip.. only lasted one day. And that night I got a solid sleep.
As we go.. one foot in front of the other.

[SjoDry]

QD,

So glad to hear this good news.It allows you to breathe a sigh of relief.
And yes, you definitely have some blessings here.

I am happy for you both.
Now both of you can go home to rest.

Take Care.
SjoDry

[Carolina]

Dearest QD,

Bless you for your Patience.  TWO WEEKS OF TARRY STOOLS?   

I guess you can't 'smack' a sick man, but the urge would be overwhelming.

I am giving you a hug from Mom, QD.  Several.   

Joe's advice is always right:  breathe.  Don't borrow trouble by thinking about it....it isn't real but it can live in your head and heart like a poisonous worm.

Breathe out, relax, and let go.   

It really is 'always something'.

Hugs and love,  Elaine

[irish]

Wow, You have had a ton of stuff hit you all at once. THat seems to be the only way it does hit us. Never a little thing here and there. You hubby sure had a bunch of stuff that needed to be sorted out and thankfully, he got the appropriate attention. The soda and Advil are bad culprits for gastric irritation that is for sure.

Hope you can get some rest. I know what you mean about putting one foot in front of the other. That is the way I lived for many years. Sometimes we have to put our emotions on the back burner and just do what needs to be done. If we didn't do that we would implode or maybe explode.

The best thing you can do is hit the couch with a warm blanket and watch a good movie. Might help you relax and if nothing else you might just fall asleep. Good luck and here is an old lady hug from me. Irish

[quietdynamics]

Lovin' hugs.. thank you so very much. I read that and it filled my heart.

DH is home. We try to coordinate and I just do a pick-up at the main entrance where he is located.
The University Hospital has " more than 10,100 employees, 3,250 medical staff members and 1,733 beds.", it is where I was Dx'd so like home away from home for us.  Our doctors, where we go, are in a 4 city block area of the hospital. DH wants to look for Drs. closer.. but, the resources, although an hour away (when not in traffic hours.. plural) are all in those blocks and there are skywalks.
Now when going to ER you hand over photo ID and a photo pass with bar code is given, which you need to swipe to get through doors.

Gastro told DH endoscopy showed multiple healing that looked like when you skin your knee on concrete.
DH was taking the 3 Advils due to sore/inflammation? on left foot (so I was worried about infection and his lack of circulation. His stepfather ended up with a leg amputation due to diabetes... so.)

With blood thinners, anti-biotics, etc.. Gastro said to only use Tylenol, or ask GP for Tylenol w/ Codeine for pain.

We will know more after follow-up appts with specialists. Biopsy result, etc.

Yes.. after Dr. left the room in hospital.. I did slap him on the forehead. Stool changes did come and go.. so head in the sand. I said "Not like we had spinach lately"  Well, theses things are scary ... and between medical for DH and then me.. it does get old.

I called his mother Sunday (he usually calls her Sunday night and she lives 8hrs away). Then called to let her know scope was done and it was the phone call from heck. Demanding answers I did not have. It was exhausting. Should have dine like with heart attack/insulin crisis  (which she still does not know all about) and called after the facts. DH says her personality has always been that her reaction is like "her hair is on fire".

So rest today and breathe ...

[irish]

It is all over but for the shouting as the old saying goes. You made it over another hurdle and lived to tell about it. That is actually a good way to think about it cause it means you are still alive and kicking. Hang in there and good going girl. Irish

Now the MIL....that is a story for a different time.

[SunshineDaydream]

Wow, QD, you went through quite a scary and stressful time. I'm glad it resulted in some good news so far. I hope you were able to take care of yourself while caring for your DH. It's hard to do while we're worried about our loved ones, but still has to be a priority. The old saying "don't set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm" applies. Keep calm and carry on.

Sometimes we give our MILs the mushroom treatment - keep them in the dark and feed them sh*t. Depending on the circumstances, sometimes it's the best thing to do.