My Husband Hugh, 3 Months & 9 Days since accident, still in hosptial.

3 Months and 10 days later......
HUGH WILL BE HOME!
Friday, October 1, is the big day!!!
----------------------------------------------------
I'll post more over the weekend. You can imagine, I have been extremely busy. I won't be answering my phone or emails as I need to settle my anxieties and chill with Hugh. I know you all understand. I promise to post back soon with pictures! THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, PRAYERS, LOVE AND SUPPORT.

It's not over and really only the beginning of a long haul in front of us.
----------------------------------------
On June 21 2010, my husband was in a near fatal accident and to this day, still remains hospitalized. He suffered a broken pelvis, internal bleeding, broken right shoulder and right arm, most broken ribs, broken lower back, broken right femur/thigh bone, left knee and fibula, broken right toes. Spinal nerve damage, and minor brain/head injury. As time goes by we are still finding out more and more medical problems, and "conditions" resulting from this accident. If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

Finally getting answers. PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

I thought PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) was only for veterans of war. I guess not. I was diagnosed with this recently and am quite frankly relieved to know I'm not totally nuts and there is a "name" to what the hell is going on with me.

If you want to help me, you can try to pledge your support, whether or not you will ever understand why I suffer with my anxiety, and at times, profound sadness and irritability. Please consider the little truths to follow:

• Believe me
• Be patient, I do not want to be a burden to anyone
  
• Accept that my pain and my disorder is as real as any other physical disability or injury, even though you can't see it
• Understand that I would never hold on to this if I had a choice
• I would like to cast these feelings of anxiety, helplessness, moodiness, hyperactivity, fear, loss of interest in socializing, irritability, difficulty concentrating, feeling jumpy, and tiredness into the far reaches of the universe and banish the pain and bad memories from my mind forever
• If I want to be touched, a hug works well.
  
• If I say I just need a moment, or I cry for no apparent reason, just wait for me to come back, no words are needed.
  
• I want to be whole and happy again, other than my dark times, I will be there for you.

My Husband Hugh, 3 Months & 8 Days since accident, still in hosptial.

I'm doing better, up and down like a yoyo though.

MRI results came back today. Too much metal throwing shadows etc., so he needs to go in for a CT scan to see if the doctors can read those better and compare them with the MRI. This was to determine the extent of nerve damage etc.

Hugh needs further "surgery" on his shoulder, that will include putting him to sleep and manipulating the shoulder for more range of motion. This will be discussed next Friday when we go over the CT results for the nerve damage in his legs.

STAY TUNED TOMORROW NIGHT FOR A BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

------------------------------------

My Husband Hugh, 3 Months & 5 Days since accident, still in hosptial.

Today I am so embarrassed. I demonstrated in front of some of my best friends how completely whacked out I am. I am high strung, over stimulated, hyped up, and completely frazzled and just not "all there" anymore. I have realized this today with my friends around me. I hope I get a grip soon on my emotions.

My Husband Hugh, 3 Months & 3 Days since accident, still in hosptial.

On June 21 2010, my husband was in a near fatal accident and to this day, still remains hospitalized. He suffered a broken pelvis, internal bleeding, broken right shoulder and right arm, most broken ribs, broken lower back, broken right femur/thigh bone, left knee and fibula, broken right toes. Spinal nerve damage, and minor brain/head injury. As time goes by we are still finding out more and more medical problems, and "conditions" resulting from this accident.

Not much really to report. I have been really down and purely exhausted. Just no mood to socialize, blog or really much of anything but sleep and take of what I have to take care of.

Hugh developed a serious blood clot last week, and they put him on a blood thinner they shoot him in the tummy. He is also on oral pills. The blood clot is in the right thigh. He has a blood clot filter (vena cava filter) to "catch" and dissolve blood clots too.

Today, he has an MRI of his spinal to see if the nerve damage is "fixable" or not.

He is trying to master the crutches, doing really good on them, but needs more work on walking UP steps. He is very "unstable" doing so and will do practice this in physical therapy.

I'm frustrated and very impatient and it shows when I am with Hugh. He knows this, and he is working with me on this. I am having some problems now and just need to lie low and keep focusing on myself. I just want to be left alone really and it's a struggle to even talk to people or my friends. So if I don't answer, or call back, don't take it personal. I'm just so tired.

I know once Hugh comes home I'll even be more tired because I'll be so busy helping him, so I am mentally trying to prepare myself for this too. It's all hitting me and he is so very patient and knows this. I am so blessed he is so cautious and so patient with me.

Also, things like our financial future, medical insurance, food, rent, EVERYTHING. Not sure how we are going to survive. This is weighing on me heavily and affecting my thoughts. Just the uncertainty of everything. As the old saying goes "one day at a time". Well %$#@ that, you try doing it. It's not as easy as it sound.
--------------------------------------------------


If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

------------------------------------

Vintage Lingerie Extravaganza $9.99 sale! ENDING TOMORROW! Sept. 24!

ONCE A YEAR $9.99 VINTAGE LINGERIE Sale at Sweet Cherry Vintage Lingerie! Don't miss out on this one time only extravaganza! Gearing up for tons of vintage lingerie goodies! Click HERE: Sweet Cherry Vintage Lingerie $9.99 Blow Out!

God bless Officer Chris Moody. Officer Moody still drives by on his shifts to check on the house...me.... Luckily, he finally got to meet Hugh at home today while Hugh was home for a little break from the hospital. He is the officer who had the horrible job of coming to my house on June 21 to tell me that Hugh was in a bad accident and I had to get to the hospital as soon as possible (he was told by the hospital social worker, Hugh made a turn for the worse). He now shared with us, after I told him it was OK that he didn't think Hugh would make it through the night. This was a very emotional meeting, and I am so proud to live in Long Beach with such caring officers as Officer Moody.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

My husband Hugh, night #86, critically injured, still in rehab

Well what a freaking scary day. I show up at 12:30 to pick up Hugh for his appointment with Dr. Warden to go over the nerve damage test results, among other things to talk about. When I got to the hospital, Hugh is in bed, and very upset. He never is in bed until bed time. Anyhow, he proceeded to tell me, on his ultrasound they did on his legs this morning, they discovered a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis) in his right femur vein area. He was put on mandatory bed rest until his doctor called. Dr. calls a little later and says not to worry, Hugh has a "filter" in him and they will give him blood thinners. Ok... whew!

So, I go over to Dr. Warden's office (just walking distance from the hospital) and talk to Dr. Warden about everything. Hugh's nerve compression (nerve damage) maybe irreversible, and most likely caused from spinal damage. So Hugh needs an MRI of his lower back/spine to see if the damage is "fixable". We will get this scheduled ASAP tomorrow. Then, his right shoulder needs manipulation under anesthesia. We will find out when this will be done tomorrow as well when I speak with Dr. Warden. What is so strange, this calcification area in his shoulder, happens in patients with TBI (traumatic brain injury) and/or spinal damage.

As for Hugh's excruciating pain, the new dose of nerve medicine seems to be doing the trick! Yeah!!!!! It is taking the edge off a LOT!

Just a few more "things" to add to the numerous "things" seriously wrong with my sweet dear Hugh.
----------------------------
Hugh,
I know you were upset today, and dammit you have every right to be. We will get through this together. I will be with you every step of the way. Someone in the orthopedic office told me today, a patient, who meant well, ask me why I was there. I told him about you. He said "at least he is alive". I said, yes, "at least he is alive", however I wanted to freaking scream and chew him alive. Some people don't get it. You are the one living this nightmare. You are the one dealing with your pain. No one will ever fully get it sweety, unless they are you and me. I love you with all my heart....we WILL get through this....................

If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

------------------------------------

My husband Hugh, night #85, critically injured, still in rehab

Thought Hugh would be home this week. Not so. Hugh's nerve pain in his legs is beginning to become excruciating. Because his right leg has all/100%? nerve damage, the doctor said Hugh is experiencing "nerve" pain now. They have increased his nerve medicine and see how he does with this, and may need to add another medicine at night. I love love love love Dr. Marshall. He is so nice to me, and talk to me. He is never rushed and he "gets" it. He wants to have Hugh's pain "controlled" before he comes home. He mentioned Hugh probably will have to be seen at a pain management doctor next. Hugh is still using his wheelchair, but mostly walks in his walker from point A to point B. His goal is to eventually get rid of the walker and get down to a pedestal thingy cane, then to a normal cane. I told him we can pimp out his walker and cane for him.

We see Dr. Warden tomorrow to talk about the nerve damage, to talk about everything and what we do from here.

I tell you, I'm so upset, to see someone you love in excruciating pain is horrible and I can only imagine this is the beginning. I hope my appointment with the shrink next week will help me deal with all this stuff. I know I should have done this awhile ago, but I can't deal anymore. I am learning I need to take care of me now, so I can take care of Hugh.

My Dad is making the minor modifications to the shower, and built up our lounge chair for Hugh to sit in. It was too low. So to save us money, he built it up on a platform thingy. He thinks he can modify Hugh's computer chair for him too.

Dear Hugh,
Sweetheart, I hurt so much for you. I wish I could just take away all this pain and make it disappear. Maybe it's the Mother in me, but it breaks my heart. I hate seeing you in so much pain. I hope at home I can make it better for you, and right now, I will concentrate on trying to work in the house before you come home to help you. I wish you a pain-free, rested night darling. I hurt so much for you...........
-------------------------------------
If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

My husband Hugh, night #80, critically injured, still in rehab

Today, we had the home evaluation with physical and occupational therapists in preparation for Hugh's homecoming (possibly the end of next week!!!!). This depends on Hugh and how he feels if he feels strong enough they said.

Hugh will NOT be coming home with a wheelchair and only a walker. That is the good news! The goal is to ween him off the wheelchair, and to walk unaided before he can come home.

We need to make few/minor preparations in the house. Easy stuff, as for purchases, I will need to buy a chair for his computer and that we can bring out to the living room for the dinner table. As for sitting, my dad will build a platform to raise the leather sitting chair we have that is comfortable for Hugh. This is too low right now and he cannot get back up. As for the bathroom, simple things need to be done.

Hugh was at home all day with me. :) I got him back to rehab all by myself. He walked to the car and out of the car and into rehab with only the use of the walker. I spotted him though. He has to wear 2 leg braces now, which keeps his feet straight and much better.
---------------------------------------
Dear Hugh,
I can see you home next week and I cannot wait.. I miss you, I love you and can't wait for you to be home.............

If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

My husband Hugh, Night #77, Critically Injured, Now in Rehab

The beginning of the end. Because of motorcycles, 11 weeks ago today, the worst day of our lives happened. My husband Hugh was nearly killed in a motorcycle accident. This probably was the 1st picture ever on a motorbike.
---------------------------------
If you are so inclined to help with Hugh's medical expenses and our mounting bills, you can donate to us by clicking the yellow donate button:

------------------------------------

The best anniversary ever.

This is what I came to in Hugh's room today. I don't know how he did it, but he did it. This was the best anniversary I have ever had. Just to have him alive. I love you Hugh.

Happy Anniversary Hugh

September 3, 2010

Dear Hugh,
Happy anniversary sweetheart. I am so blessed to have 11 years with you, and lucky to be having this anniversary with you this year. God has blessed us!

Missing you is easy.
I do it everyday.
Missing you is a heartache
That never goes away....

Even though we can't properly celebrate our anniversary, I just feel lucky enough for you to be alive. The best anniversary gift I ever got was your life. I thank God he decided not to take you from me. God has granted you a second chance and we have many years ahead of us to celebrate together. I love you sweetheart. Please hurry home.