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Main Forums => Pre-HAART Long-Term Survivors => Topic started by: AndyArrow on September 05, 2009, 08:58:08 am

Title: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: AndyArrow on September 05, 2009, 08:58:08 am
Yesterday my plan was for my partner and I to go the Lighthouse Mall (it's a big outdoor factory outlet mall in Michigan City, IN) and do lots of walking around as part of his recovery from his open-heart surgery.  Unfortunately, he woke up have some horrible pains in his chest at the end of his chest incision.  There is a cavity there that's about an 1" deep and 1/2" wide that we have to pack with gauze 3 times a day and then cover it with a bandage -- it comes out with puss & blood when I change it.  They want the fatty layers of tissue to builid up from the bottom of the cavity, otherwise the skin will just grow over it ( I know sorry BT for being gross).  He was also shivering and his temperature spiked to over 102f.  So off to the doctor's office, which is in a medical building attached to the hospital where they did his surgery.  It's actually the same hospital he had his valve replacement done in 91'.  The nurse practitioner became worried as soon as she saw him (he was wearing a long sleeve shirt under his fall coat -- I was sweating from the hot car ride) and she put him back in the hospital.  So, it looks like my labor day picnic will be hospital food in the cardiac recovery unit.

Thank You in advance (I know I'm assuming a lot) for all that positive energy flow!  I hope everyone has a great holiday weekend!

Hugs!
AA
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: rondrond on September 05, 2009, 09:18:56 am
Positive thoughts and energy: coming your way.

Sorry to hear about your partner. I hope he comes through with a speedy recovery. He's lucky to have you there  to watch out for him.
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: denb45 on September 05, 2009, 09:43:45 am
My Other Half had the same surgery about 7 yrs ago, he dose fine , if he eats right and takes his Heart Meds.....Andy I'm Wishing you Positive Thoughts & Energy....and this is from someone who knows what it's like to take care of a Heart Patient.........hang-in-there, things will get better, but, it takes time.......
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: Ann on September 05, 2009, 09:53:13 am
You got it, mate, more good wishes and positive healing energy coming your way from  The Rock.

I hope they get this infection quickly sorted out. It must be scary for both of you. Who knows, maybe he'll be out in time for Monday. Hope so.

Remember to take care of yourself too, ok?

Hugs2,
Ann
xxx
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: bear60 on September 05, 2009, 10:52:30 am
Hey Andy
I can send some more positive energy your way.
Hugs

Joel
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: Joe K on September 05, 2009, 11:25:42 am
Hey Andy,

I'm sending positive energy to both of you and I would not be so quick, as to rule out a holiday picnic.  So he's in the hospital.  Gather up a simple picnic lunch and have your picnic in his room.  Go all out if you want, with crystal and even a picnic blanket for his bed.  The moments we savor the most in life, are those that come from the simplest of pleasures.
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: Puckslinger on September 05, 2009, 04:26:25 pm
Hiya Andy,

Although we don't know each other, I want to send you and your partner my best wishes for peace of mind and a speedy recovery.

All the best.
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: BT65 on September 05, 2009, 05:21:57 pm
Oh Andy,

I'm sorry this has happened.  I'll be thinking about you two, and keeping my fingers crossed.  Please take care.
  Luv,
Betty
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: smalltown66 on September 05, 2009, 06:49:42 pm
Andy

You and your partner will be in my thoughts and prayers over the holiday weekend. Hold in there you have alot of love and support coming your way.

Smalltown66
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: mewithu on September 05, 2009, 07:12:30 pm
I am homebound for the weekend also. I just got out of the hospital a couple of weeks ago for two clots in my left leg. I wish the best for both of you and for your lover to stand beside you is a great thing. I have never had that oppurtunity to have someone with me while inthe hospital. makes it so much better I have seen when peoples honeys come in to set with them when they can. Love to all, Jerry
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: anniebc on September 05, 2009, 07:17:07 pm
A Bucket full of positive energy coming to you both from NZ..take care, thinking of you both.

Hugs
Jan :-*
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: shreveman on September 05, 2009, 11:23:53 pm
Hi Andy:

Sorry to hear this news. Hopefully if this is an infection it will respond to treatment. Sending lots of support your way. Take care of yourself too. Roy
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: aztecan on September 06, 2009, 10:18:01 am
Hey Andy,

I'm am very sorry to hear the hubby is back in the hospital. I will be sending lots of positive energy his way.

BIG HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: Snowangel on September 06, 2009, 10:35:47 am
Andy-

So sorry to hear this, I am sending lots of positive and healing vibes your way.  Hugs, too!!

Take care,
Snow
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: J.R.E. on September 06, 2009, 10:37:01 am
Hello Andy,

Sorry to hear that your partner is in the hospital.  Let him know that we are all thinking of him, and wishing him well.  Your both in our thoughts.




Ray
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: AlanBama on September 08, 2009, 09:43:35 am
Andy,

I'm sorry to hear this news.....keeping you both in my prayers.    Wishing your partner a SPEEDY recovery, and I hope he's soon to the point of not needing the gauze packing.  That sounds awful to me...

Many hugs,

Alan   :-*
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: AndyArrow on September 09, 2009, 10:28:51 pm
Wow!

Thank you all so much for your kind words and positive energy.  It seems to be doing the trick. 

He's still in the hospital right now hopefully he will be getting out by Friday.  The doctors put a PICC line so that he can continue to receive intravenous antibiotics once he's discharged.  They are looking at an additional 6-8 weeks of antibiotics.  Their big fear was the infection traveling into the blood stream and attaching onto the area around his artificial heart valve.  Since that never happened they are very happy with how things are progressing.  Tomorrow he will have another ultrasound & the wound team & ID docs will check over the hole in his chest (there really isn't a better way to describe it).  Fingers crossed for a Friday release!

Hugs & Thanks to everyone!!!
AA
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: BT65 on September 10, 2009, 08:14:37 am
Andy, great news that the infection hasn't spread.  I'll keep you both in my thoughts, and will only think good things about you both (not that I don't anyway). :-*
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: AndyArrow on September 14, 2009, 04:00:09 am
HOME!!! 

He actually got out late Thursday!!  It was a nice surprise.  We still have to travel back and forth to the hospital once a day but it's so much better than him being stuck in there.  He goes for 2hr treatments of antibiotics. 

All your positive thoughts & energy have done wonders so a big thanks to everyone here and hugs & kisses to all the really cute ones (you know who you are)  :-* :-*

AA

PS.  You are all really cute!  ;)
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: anniebc on September 14, 2009, 06:21:43 am
Wonderful news Andy.

Hugs to you both
Jan :-* :-*
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: BT65 on September 14, 2009, 06:56:47 am
That's great news, Andy.  Thanks for letting us know.
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: aztecan on September 14, 2009, 09:51:03 am
Hey Andy,

That's great news! ;D ;D ;D

I'll keep the positive energy coming, just for reinforcement.

HUGS,

Mark
Title: Re: Request for more positive thoughts & energy
Post by: AndyArrow on September 17, 2009, 04:34:17 pm
Thanks for all the kind words of encouragement. 

He is doing really good.  He takes Clindomycin 300mg orally 3x a day and we travel back and forth to the hospital for Vancomycin through the PICC line.   You can still see his sternum and some of the wire through the hole in his chest that I have to pack but they think it should be filled in within a month or so.

Hugs!
AA