October 29, 2010

My Husband Hugh, 3 Months & 10 Days in Hospital, Home now.



Hugh did great in surgery yesterday. They did the shoulder manipulation, no problems, but the doctor didn't get as much as "range of motion" as he hoped. If he pulled on it too much, he could have broke it. He will have acute/aggressive physical therapy 3 times a week on it for 4 weeks to keep it "loosened" up and strengthening. He has little pain, and doing very well. He has home exercises he has to do at home too.
As for the pelvis, 2 very long screws were removed, one was 6 inches, the other 4 inches with only one small incision on his rear hip area. Yes, these came out of his pelvis, and many more remain! The reason these 2 were removed are in HOPES they might have been causing some of the nerve problems, time will tell.

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:





October 25, 2010

My Husband Hugh, 3 Months, 10 days in hospital. Now home.

Life at home is becoming more "normal". I am constantly on the go, doing this or that. Our days are filled with meal planning, bath time, cleaning up, house chores, physical or occupational therapy, dispensing meds, doctor visits, and when I can get time, trying to get my business up and running. By the time bedtime rolls around, I crash.

Hugh has surgery is planned for this Thursday, October 28 at 7:30 am at Memorial Hospital, and considered "one day surgery" meaning he can come home the same day as long as there are no complications. The surgery will be 2 procedures to do his shoulder manipulation (meaning, Dr. W will crank the hell out of it) to loosen it up, break up the scar tissue etc. Then Dr. Z will remove 2 screws/hardware from his pelvis that Dr. W is concerned about that could be impinging on the nerves. There is a possibility that Dr. W could break the arm while doing this manipulation. We are aware of the risks. Hugh asked Dr. W what happens if the arm is broken, and Dr. W said, "Well, after I go home and change my underwear, I will consult with your wife on if you need further surgery". I laughed my ass off. I love Dr. W!

After he is discharged, he has to go to the physical therapist to begin immediately physical therapy on the shoulder to keep it loosened up after surgery. He has to have "acute" therapy on the shoulder 3 times a week to keep it loosened up so as to not freeze up on him again. The surgery basically is 50/50 chance of it being a success. The "hardware/screws" in his pelvis will be removed in the same visit by another surgeon. They are hoping this might help with some of the nerves in his legs. This we won't know for a year or two down the road if it is successful or not.

So, starting next week, Hugh will have out patient acute physical therapy on his shoulder, and we will then talk about other physical therapy on the rest of him.

So many people ask "how can I help". Right now, we need prayers. There is also a DONATE to Paypal button to help us with our expenses (the yellow DONATE BUTTON) you see right below. Also, need Tupperware? My friend is donating 40% to us if you order Tupperware. USE THIS LINK: TUPPERWARE ONLINE ORDERING



October 12, 2010

My Husband Hugh, 3 Months, 10 days in hospital. Now home.

On June 21 2010, my husband was in a near fatal accident and was in the hospital for 3 months and 10 days total. He suffered a complete 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, a paralyzed diaphragm, spinal nerve damage, and minor brain/head injury and right arm nerve damage. He has had 2 surgeries with 3 more procedures including 2 more surgeries needing to be done still. As time goes by we are still finding out more and more medical problems, and "conditions" resulting from this accident.

Hugh has been home now since October 1. Life has been tough with the adjustments since he has been home. He is finding out his true disabilities now that he is settling in home and not in his "protected" hospital environment. Since we have been home, we have learned that he cannot use his computer because of the nerve damage in his arms. Computers is his passion. We are making minor living adjustments to accommodate this for him. This breaks my heart.

He has been through 2 MRI's, one CAT scan and 1 EMG nerve test since October 1. We now find out he needs 1. a shoulder manipulation under anesthesia, 2. his screws in his pelvis need to be removed as they maybe impinging on his nerves, and 3. ulnar nerve surgery in his right arm as the damage is pretty severe.

Home physical therapy is coming this week 2 times. He has a home health nurse coming weekly to check his blood thinner levels as he has a right femur blood clot. He is on blood thinners and I was giving him injections of Levenox, and may have to start those again. I give those to him in his stomach.

I am completely and utterly exhausted. I am seeking treatment in form of "counseling". I need immediate relief though and not really digging the "natural" methods. I will talk to my regular doctor about this. I have been dealing with this trauma for nearly 4 months, and need relief like yesterday. Therapy is ok, but I need meds. I was told to go out and do something for me, for a couple of hours, to bring some balance into my life. This, I will do tomorrow, Hugh is behind me 100%.

I am so proud of my husband, and this has brought us so much closer. He knows when I am overwhelmed and anxious and backs off.

So folks, that's all for now. Peace out.
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