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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

Tell us about yourself. But only things you want us to know.
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#176

Post by bill_g »

The Good News is Mrs is only 104 pounds meaning I can pick her up. That's a good thing since I have to lift her in and out of bed, and on/off the toilet. She's a trooper.

So, let's recap. A couple weeks ago she was peeing green goo, doc said UTI, prescribed antibiotic, those made her nauseous which in turn caused her to eat and drink less. That cascaded into her collapsing two days ago forcing me to call 911 to get her to into hospital where they determined she had a broken ankle, dehydration, and low potassium. Portland hospitals are still on bypass, but her heart arrythmia paid off giving her some priority. She got a cardiac patient bed rather than wait in hallway. Lots of fluids injected. Lots of sleepy time. Lots of jello and yucky electrolyte drinks. A short single night stay with a simple splint in an uncomfortable bed and a catheter. A better antibiotic. A better anti-nausea medicine. Plain old Tylenol for the pain, but lots of it. A big old plastic boot to hold her ankle steady. A pat of the back and a kick in the butt, she's sent home to my care. :evil_laugh:

It took us a bit, but we have a good routine now. We are problem solving team. A simple office chair with a gas piston height adjust has become her mode of transportation from bedside to the bathroom. I can raise it up to be level with the bed, and lower it down to be level with the toilet seat. And the wheels let me roll her back and forth. We've got the raising and lowering of the nightgown and underwear down to a fine science. She is submitting to my cooking without complaint. She is taking her meds on time. She's drinking her fluids. Everything is moving along nicely. Today will be day three of her torture. I have some follow up doctor appointments scheduled for after New Years. I will do my utmost to keep her and myself well and healthy through the holidays.

Moving onward!
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Tiredretiredlawyer
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#177

Post by Tiredretiredlawyer »

Bravo and Brava to the bill_gs!! I resemble the hard to eat, lose weight, get weak cycles ms. bill_g is going through. She and I are both lucky to have caring and caretaking hubbies, who also have a good sense of humor.

Congrats on the better meds. Didn't some famous corporation say, "Better living through chemistry"? I add, and champagne! :bighug:
"Mickey Mouse and I grew up together." - Ruthie Tompson, Disney animation checker and scene planner and one of the first women to become a member of the International Photographers Union in 1952.
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#178

Post by AndyinPA »

:thumbsup: :bighug:
"Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought. To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears… To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies." -Octavia E. Butler
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#179

Post by Foggy »

Good. I have too many people to worry about on Fogbow. That includes myself, heading for shoulder surgery x2 next year.

I would like to see us all have a happy, healthy, and productive year next year, por favor.
:bighug: ❤️ :bighug: ❤️ :bighug:
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Or the future.
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#180

Post by bill_g »

I tell you what - don't get sick in Portland right now. All hospitals are on bypass, and they are very close to crisis triage mode where intake is dependent upon your survivability.

The good times at home lasted as long as the antibiotics and Zofran. Once those prescriptions ran out, her misery went vertical, and her quality of life went to the basement. After not eating or drinking for three days, she finally agreed to let me call 911 to get her to the hospital. Once there, we spent four hours in the lobby and six hours in a hallway before they were able to place her in an improvised patient room where she has spent the last two nights.

The good news is her condition has greatly improved. I want to hug and kiss all the staff. The next step is to find her a place in a long term care facility.

Onward into the day!
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#181

Post by pipistrelle »

:bighug:
Can you say what is wrong?
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#182

Post by bill_g »

It's a continuation of her diverticulitis that started just as covid hit in early 2020. It never has been fully addressed. Each flare up gets worse, and lasts longer. The latest bout has been so bad she fainted breaking her ankle when she collapsed. Compound that with osteoporosis, sympathetic neuropathy, UTI, COPD, and pneumonia, and you have a very sick lady that needs a medical team to look at her holistically rather than several discrete issues.
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#183

Post by Uninformed »

:bighug:
If you can't lie to yourself, who can you lie to?
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#184

Post by Tiredretiredlawyer »

:bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
"Mickey Mouse and I grew up together." - Ruthie Tompson, Disney animation checker and scene planner and one of the first women to become a member of the International Photographers Union in 1952.
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#185

Post by Annrc »

:bighug: so infuriating. Take care.
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#186

Post by Volkonski »

:shock:

:bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug: :bighug:
“If everyone fought for their own convictions there would be no war.” ― Leo Tolstoy, War and Peace
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#187

Post by AndyinPA »

So sad. Wish you luck. :bighug:
"Choose your leaders with wisdom and forethought. To be led by a coward is to be controlled by all that the coward fears… To be led by a liar is to ask to be told lies." -Octavia E. Butler
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Phoenix520
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#188

Post by Phoenix520 »

I can’t imagine being in that much pain and discomfort, knowing your chances of feeling better soon are slim. Your wife is a saint and you are St Trooper.

Now you both will have a less stressful opportunity to heal.

My thoughts are with both of you. You ARE a good man, bill. You take care. 💙💙
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#189

Post by Foggy »

Ack! I send more hugs and more love to you and mrs_g!
:bighug: ❤️ :bighug: ❤️ :bighug:
Some things are simply too fast, or too relentless to avoid. Like the North Carolina rain.

Or the future.
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Lani
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#190

Post by Lani »

Phoenix520 wrote: Thu Jan 05, 2023 1:18 pm :snippity:

My thoughts are with both of you. You ARE a good man, bill. You take care. 💙💙
I can't say it any better. :bighug: Love to both of you.
Image You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy.
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#191

Post by bill_g »

Good morning, and thank you everyone. It's humbling and uplifting to have your support. Mrs was moved yesterday evening from the makeshift patient space to a real room in the basement. The space is just a jumpin. I helped the young nurse assistant make the bed, get Mrs on and off the toilet, get her comfy in bed, get her meds, water, juice, etc. They joked about making me a CNA. I declined. Probably for the best. I don't know how they do it without crying. I do know where the linen carts are stashed, and pretty much have my pick of pillows and blankets (if I were so inclined).

I have my own Dr appts today, and then back to Mrs. I think they might keep her for the weekend. Dunno yet.
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#192

Post by Tiredretiredlawyer »

Bill - When she rests/naps you should do the same. Caretaking, while rewarding, can wear your ass out unless you take care of yourself as well as you take care of her. :bighug:
"Mickey Mouse and I grew up together." - Ruthie Tompson, Disney animation checker and scene planner and one of the first women to become a member of the International Photographers Union in 1952.
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#193

Post by bill_g »

Tiredretiredlawyer wrote: Fri Jan 06, 2023 10:07 am Bill - When she rests/naps you should do the same. Caretaking, while rewarding, can wear your ass out unless you take care of yourself as well as you take care of her. :bighug:
Oh I know. All too well. :bighug:
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#194

Post by bill_g »

It's Jan 9, day six of Mrs hospital stay, and her first day with a new ostomy and mucous fistula. Perhaps temporary, perhaps permanent. TBD. Time will tell.

Her gut pain increased Saturday, went vertical Sunday morning, and the doctor on duty acted on it. He ordered a new CAT scan, called in the specialists, they worked up a plan, and took her into surgery at 6PM. I got to see her again in post-op around 10:30PM. Yesterday was an odd mix of rapid fire info, hand holding, and long contemplation for me. Patience was the game. I came home to sleep rather than stay on a roll-away in her room last night. I'll pound down some calories this morning, take a shower, and pack a lunch for today.

Onward.
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#195

Post by Slim Cognito »

:bighug: :bighug:
Pup Dennis in training to be a guide dog & given to a deserving vet. Thx! ImageImageImage x4
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Lani
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#196

Post by Lani »

It's always hard. Be kind to yourself. Accept help. :bighug:
Image You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy.
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#197

Post by bill_g »

Lani wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:10 am It's always hard. Be kind to yourself. Accept help. :bighug:
Yeah. I feeling a bit like a fish on a freeway right now. It's not a new experience for me. I spent my career not knowing what I was doing, and had to get up to speed rapidly via RTFM. Here I go again jumping into the deep end of the pool.
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#198

Post by bill_g »

Slim Cognito wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:03 am :bighug: :bighug:
Back at ya Slim. This is going to be a good month for both of us I see. :bighug:
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#199

Post by MsDaisy »

Poor babies! Sending positive energy and lots of love.... :bighug:
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bill_g
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Bill_G, retired, affluence of effluent, and errata

#200

Post by bill_g »

MsDaisy wrote: Mon Jan 09, 2023 8:34 am Poor babies! Sending positive energy and lots of love.... :bighug:
Thank you MsDaisy.

***

I'm quaking right now. My hands won't stop shaking. I think we messed up signing the consent forms yesterday. Mrs has a written DNR in place. Her quality of Life has been circling the toilet for the last two years. I'm sure she did not want a slow death from sepsis. She definitely does not want more pain. This may have been the kind of Life Saving procedure she wanted to avoid. I don't know what to do. I'll see if I can talk to the Hospitalist about an aggressive pain management plan. I really need to be her advocate today.
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