March 23, 2008

How I spent Easter Weekend

Easter

Three days ago, a stubborn kidney stone sent my husband to the emergency room, where he was given pain medication that made him vomit repeatedly. After 48 hours of intense pain for him and no sleep for either of us, the urologist announced that the stone was wedged in a bad place and probably wasn't going to come out on its own. Several hours later, he did a surgical procedure that involved breaking the stone into smaller pieces and inserting a stent. The stent is supposed to stay in place for a few days, but unfortunately, his body seems to be rejecting it. We're home now, but he's still in pain despite the drugs. He hasn't slept in three days — and I haven't slept much either, unless you count dozing off in a hospital chair. We go back for more tests, and hopefully the removal of the stent, in the morning.

Trying to sleep

That's me, trying to sleep in a chair wedged between two hospital beds.

48 comments:

  1. Oh no! Your poor husband. My dad has been through the same thing and it was entirely unpleasant from his descriptions, neither is sleeping in the hospital. I hope he feels better very soon.

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  2. I'm sorry to hear this! What a sad way to have to spend easter weekend. I hope he's better soon.

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  3. How terrible. I hope the recovery, from this point, is smooth and that you both are quickly able to catch up on sleep.

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  4. sending your family and expecially your husband the best wishes for his recovery.

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  5. (Hug) for both you and your husband. The hospital is the worst place to spend a holiday. I hope you both get some rest soon.

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  6. Ow, my great sympathies to you both! I'm just glad that this didn't happen earlier while you were on the Great Hike...

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  7. I'm so sorry! How awful, especially following what sounds like an exhausting trip home. I hope you husband feels better soon and that everyone gets a chance to sleep soon.

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  8. Oh, what a photo...I hope more rest and a return to health are on the way for both of you.

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  9. Oh, Jo(e), I am so sorry. I hope the tests tomorrow straighten everything out, your husband gets some relief from the pain, and you get some sleep. Because, no... I don't count dozing off in the hospital chair.

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  10. I am so, so sorry--and this brought me back to trying to get Z. to nap in the emergency room, with a broken arm that still hadn't been put in a cast.

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  11. Oh, wow! I'm so sorry for you both. I hope you get some rest!

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  12. Ugh, sounds horrid. I hope he feels better FAST and that you both can get some sleep.

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  13. Eek! It sounds awful! Hope he is feeling better soon and that you both get some rest.

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  14. Anonymous9:40 PM

    so sorry, joe. thinking of you both.

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  15. Yowch! Hope he is feeling better soon.

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  16. Ah, no, jo(e). So sorry. Sending best wishes to you both.

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  17. Oh, jo(e)! I'm so sorry. Thinking about you both.

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  18. Oh no! I hope that your husband's health takes an upswing very soon, and blessings to both of you.

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  19. Well, that sucks. Not much time to settle in at home. Sorry!

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  20. Anonymous10:56 PM

    Oh, jo(e), that sounds excruciating. I hope that things start looking up ASAP.

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  21. that is the most painful thing ever..a kidney stone..huggs to you both x

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  22. jo(e), i'm so sorry. hope your husband is feeling better and has relief from the pain, and that you both get several days of rest.

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  23. aw, hell! that's no good! prayers for painlessness, quick passage, speedy recovery, and much rest are on their way for you both!!!

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  24. I saw these photos in Flickr and had to come right over to see what happened. I am sorry! Prayers for your husband and you. At least you made it home before this struck.

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  25. Hope that your husband is doing better this morning.

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  26. Grace to you and your husband, Jo(e). Prayers here, too.

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  27. Anonymous11:10 AM

    Feeling for you! Sending positive energy your way.

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  28. We have been here! So sorry to hear about your morning.

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  29. I'm thinking of you both and sending wishes for your husband's speedy recovery.

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  30. Anonymous12:54 PM

    I hope your husband's recovery is speedy, and that you can get some rest. I spent the weekend trying to sleep in similar conditions, but the emergency's over now. It is hard to sleep in a chair!

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  31. Anonymous12:57 PM

    Ooooh, ouch! Thank goodness this didn't happen (assuming it didn't...) when you were hiking in the southwest. "The middle of nowhere" is no place to have a painful medical emergency!

    Here's hoping the doctors can bring your husband lasting relief...and that you can get some sleep in the meantime.

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  32. Anonymous1:48 PM

    Sending lots of positive vibes your way! Hope you are both feeling better soon!

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  33. Anonymous4:57 PM

    Sending good wishes for both of you and a speedy recovery to your husband.

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  34. Now that's really no fun at all! I'm sorry!! Hope things are better soon.

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  35. Oh no! Sending healing energy your way.

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  36. Oh, yikes! My father was injured fairly badly several months ago and was often in pain, so I know what it's like to watch a family member deal with that. Hopefully your husband will be better soon!

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  37. Oh man! I hope he's feeling better. That really sucks.

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  38. Anonymous10:35 PM

    I remember being thrown completely off balance when I was in a similar situation. Be gentle with your self. You will have what you need, when you need. Friends don't always know how to help - it's the greatest gift to be asked by someone in need - so ask, if you can. There are lots of people taking care of him - not so many taking care of you. Keep breathing - in, and out.

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  39. Anonymous11:04 PM

    Oh, no! I hope your hubby recovers and is as good as new, and that you get some rest! Kathy in Ky

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  40. Oh, that sucks. :(
    I hope he's better soon.

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  41. I know your nickname used to be 'Zee-Nee', but I think I'm changing it to 'Lucky'.

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  42. Hope he is feeling better soon, and you are able to get some real sleep!!

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  43. Sending you both good juju and happy pretty thoughts!

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  44. So sorry to hear this jo(e) - thinking of you both.

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  45. Hope he gets better soon & you both get some much-needed rest.

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  46. Anonymous9:14 PM

    Hugs to you and your hubby both.

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  47. Sorry to hear that. I have had to camp out at the hospital for different reasons and it is very tiring. Hope he's feeling better and you both were able to get some rest. :)

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  48. I've been coming here from Trena's Sixdown blogspot. I'm an academic in the midsouth and just wanted to let you know that two years ago, in Mexico, my husband ended up in the same position as yours. Speaking no Spanish he spent four days in a Mexican hospital while I tended our 13-month-old daugher, had lithotripsy that tore up his ureter and had a stent that didn't come out until we were safely home four weeks later. He had another stone, a smaller one, and more lithotripsy about 9 months after that and since then has been fine. He drinks a lot of water, tries to avoid food with oxalic acid. Mostly we know it's a crap shoot whether he has any more stones or not. At least we know what to expect now. And we know a lot about the Mexican health care system! I'm glad the worst is over and I'll be holding you and yours in the Light.

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