Hubby Had Emergency Surgery!

DoriC wrote:Hmm, I thought I've had his straps adjusted OK for his new sleep position, at least he isn't leaking while I'm still awake, it starts later. But maybe I'll do some more tweaking tonight, Thanks.

Good thinking by Sleeping Ugly.
And you may want to consider a different kind of hose routing now that he's sleeping in a different position.

O.

Another good thought O, he does seem to be more comfortable now on the very far side of the bed away from the machine so it may be pulling over the headboard, I'll check that. Thanks for giving me some things to "do"! I feel a little helpless (and extremely tired) by now.

UPDATE! "Mama" finally got some good sleep last night and so did Mike, we both slept 9hrs, His report showed AHI=0.6, LR=40 lpm, nice and low, no snores. He was able to sleep in his normal position and finally took an interest in adjusting his own mask again. Of interest, and Bret will be happy to know, that we also went back to the Regeneris pillow after I took out some more hulls. I forgot why we stopped using it(I think he said it felt too hard). He was doing well with his contour memory foam pillow. Thanks for all your prayers, I think "someone" is listening! Dori

Great news, Dori!

DoriC wrote:UPDATE! "Mama" finally got some good sleep last night and so did Mike, we both slept 9hrs, His report showed AHI=0.6, LR=40 lpm, nice and low, no snores. He was able to sleep in his normal position and finally took an interest in adjusting his own mask again. Of interest, and Bret will be happy to know, that we also went back to the Regeneris pillow after I took out some more hulls. I forgot why we stopped using it(I think he said it felt too hard). He was doing well with his contour memory foam pillow. Thanks for all your prayers, I think "someone" is listening! Dori

Dori, thanks for letting me know! I'm glad to hear he's doing better. One suggestion if the pillow feels too hard is to use multiple pillow cases--that should soften it up a bit without changing how it works.

That's good to hear Dori! Everything is so much better when you get a good nights sleep.

rosie

That is wonderful news, Dori! After such a traumatic surgery, it sounds like Mike's progressing well in his recovery. And I'm glad you got some GOOD sleep! Perhaps he'll heal better this time than in the past, since his body is getting adequate oxygen all night. I sure hope so. Thanks for keeping us updated. So many people here do care.

What wonderful news! It sounds as though things are moving in the right direction. I'm so glad for you both.

Dori you are amazing!
If someone had shown me that kind of wound I would have passed out on the floor. I did that once when I first walked into ICU after my fathers heart surgery. Mom just dragged me into the hall and left me sitting on the floor.
I wonder what they would have done about the wound care?

You are lucky to have one another. After spending almost a month on life support this past summer I cannot begin to tell what it means to have an advocate and partner. I was very fortunate to have one of the very latest in hospital beds that wiggled, wobbled, vibrated and so on and it didn't do much for my sleep but kept my body 'moving'. I was very lucky to survive and very lucky to find out who my friends and loved ones were. You are both in my thoughts and prayers every day and I hope that you are both enjoying the sunshine before too long. My avatar is the first outing after being discharged in July.... and the fall colours were the most spectacular they have ever been but only around our home for some reason. I find this photograph very calming and hope that you will too. He works in mysterious ways, as they say.

BS, you just reminded me when Mike had his first heart surgery, the nurses walked me into the ICU to see him and I remember someone yelling, "Chair at Bed 2" Stat"!! And a chair came sliding down right under me as my legs gave way. When I was able to stand and walk closer and tell him I was here, the nurses told me he was still unconscious, but he must have heard my voice and up went his right thumb! All the nurses were amazed and clapping! Boy, I have a lot of stories to tell, don't I? Well, I've lived a lot longer than most of you!

So glad you both had a good night's sleep, it makes all the difference. I appreciate your keeping us updated. I think about you and Mike alot.

You're an amazing lady, Dori. I check every day to see how you and Mike are doing. I look forward to more of your wealth of stories and hold you both in my prayers.
Cosette

Things are going much better these last 2 days now that the visiting nurses have their act together and we're on some sort of schedule. I've been told that Mike looks better than me! So maybe I can get my hair done one of these days! The wound looks clean and he's finally getting used to just sleeping on one side and his reports seem to be getting back to normal. (Ssssh!) All your encouragement and good tips seem to be working. Thanks.

That's wonderful that Mike's doing so well, Dori! Yes, be sure to take good care of yourself too.