Friday, June 4, 2010

A memorable weekend

I won’t forget this Memorial weekend anytime soon.   It began with Huhoney coming home from working up North for a week.  He got home around 6 pm Friday evening and we shared a nice dinner out, settled down in front of the t.v. and caught up on a bunch of shows that I recorded.  He was beat down.  Tired.  We decided to make it an early night and sleep in.  Yes, we slept in longer than I we ever do. 

9:15 am Saturday morning I am awakened by Huhoney leaning against the wall, “What’s the matter” I ask, “dizzy” in a slur….I jumped out of bed and ran to his side, “please don’t fall over on me honey, I can’t hold you up, you have to get to the bench” (5 feet away), he manages, Huhoney is disoriented, starts mumbling, his right arm is doing crazy things…he is sweating, mumbling incoherently and is very upset, I try to calm him, it is 9:20 I looked at the clock, pushed him into the bed and ran to our guest bedroom where my nephew and his wife were sleeping (thank goodness), “Kevin please get up and come to our room, uncle Bob is in trouble”, I run to our bedroom where Huhoney is in distress but still sitting up, his arm is moving wildly,  his eyes are glazed and he is scared.  I hold him to my chest and cry, he is also upset, I ask him if he is having chest pains, NOOOO in slurred speech but I can tell he is disoriented and upset, I can also tell that he is not having difficulty breathing,  by this time my nephew’s wife Carrie sits behind him and I run to my closet and throw on some clothes, Kevin is on the phone with 911.  I am calm but scared.  I have to remain calm.  Kevin, turned on the porch light and opened the front door.  I am holding him again and we are both crying, I told him not to worry, everything would be alright.  He was not having a heart attach but maybe a stroke.  I don’t know why I knew, but I did.

They arrive, 5 of them.  2 on the fire truck and 3 in the ambulance, 9:40.  The hospital is 7 minutes away and that is driving the speed limit.  The fire station is 2 blocks away.  What took them so long? 20 minutes is way too long.

I am calm.  I have to be.  He is in their hands now.  They take him away and I finish getting dressed. Sort of.  I quickly make 2 phone calls, to our 2 sons.  My daughter who is in NC is camping out and I am not sure if she has phone service.  I choose not to call and upset her.  She is her daddy’s girl.

I am in the ER now and it is 10 am.  He is stable.  Still can’t control his right arm and touch his nose.  It wasbob hospital 002 determined NOT to give him a powerful drug that has some bad side effects in case of brain bleed.  The doctors are stumped, he has been such a healthy man.  Just had a physical. 

Test are done, no MRI because of the morphine pump he has implanted.   They need to find the source of the stroke.  about 11 am his right arm has more control.  By 11:30 he is able to touch his nose.  All great signs.  No paralysis.  He will not be going home today and will spend the night.  Huhoney is not happy about that.  Too bad I say.

bob hospital 001

Off you go…you have a room assigned.  I pull out the trusty ole camera that is always in my purse.  I remind him, ”this is for posterity you know” and start to laugh.  It is a good relief.  We needed to laugh after a good cry.bob hospital 003

My son thinks I am crazy but I don’t care.  The hospital guy thinks I am crazy, but smiles for his picture.  I don’t care what anyone thinks.  I really don’t!

 

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Here we are Huhoney, this will be home today, they said you will probably go home tomorrow…..

 

 

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Brad our son was totally hands on and wanted to take care of his dad, he even did the nurses job and helped him into his bed.  They said it was a nicer bed.  Yeah right.  lol

 

bob hospital 008

 

I have to keep reminding him that this is for the best.  Huhoney hates feeling helpless and not in control.

 

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then there are those silly moments when you can’t get a good picture.  Huhoney has a thing about closing his eyes with a flash…

 

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once in a while I can catch a good one.  Ah how I love this guy!  The one on the left….

image Visitors are always welcome.  Gene Hackman wished him good luck too. (hehehe) well not really but thought I would just throw it in anyway.   He once gave out his autograph to a girl at a truck stop on a paper plate cause she thought he was Gene. LOL

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visitors are always uplifting… especially if they just want to hang out…and feed you peanuts.

 

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Well day 1 went by and he didn’t get to go home… they wanted to know where the source of the stroke came from, duh….I should have been a doctor….his leg is swelling up. bob hospital 018 Nope this hasn’t happened before….are you sure? YES…this hasn’t happened before…bring in the ultra sound cart…

uh yep, there it is, a nice big clot in your leg.  This is day 2 at 7 pm folks.  This is also after 2 physical therapist ran him around the halls at 8 am in the  morning and they finally got the ultra sound guy to come in at 7 pm.  OK we better put him on blood thinners now.  Let’s give him a shot in his tummy.bob hospital2 002   Hmm this doesn’t look good.  So let’s give him another shot in his tummy on the other side.  Oh dear, let’s get another doctors opinion.  A specialist.  Can’t wait to see this guys bill!  Ummm now he has a very swollen sore leg and also a very sore bruised tummy.  No more shots for you big guy.  You are having a reaction…DUH!

After 4 days in the hospital and lots of vials of blood (15 one time) (12 the next)… on the 4th day Wednesday, leaving 001he was bring released after listening to instructions from his nurse Mel.  He decided he didn’t need an escort out of the hospital or a wheelchair either, so we made the great escape on our own.  They will miss him.  He loves to joke with the nurses and has a wonderful sense of humor in spite of all the craziness.

he was one very happy Huhoneyleaving 002  and will probably give me a hard time for posting all of this on my blog….oh well I say…POSTERITY, for the records when we are really old and (he) is grey(er) and argue about what really happened!  LOL POSTERITY. leaving 003 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He was being a smart-al-ick in the above pic.

leaving 004

 

GET ME OUT OF HERE AND FAST BEFORE THEY CHANGE THEIR MINDS AGAIN!

 

 

This is a beautiful monument out side of the hospital on the grounds.  I have always loved this tree from the day it was erected.  When you drive by at night it is a reminder of the healing and life that is forever trying to be achieved at this hospital.

tree of life 002 there are thousands of leaves on this tree and the tips of the branches have the fiber optic lights that change colors from red, to purple, green, orange, blue and white.  It is so beautiful and is a great reminder of how beautiful LIFE is!

“The Tree of Light and Life”

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To all of our family and all of my special “Village” friends.  Thank you so much for your well wishes and prayers.  They were felt across the miles.  I was a little preoccupied this week and I apologize for not posting sooner and filling you in on Huhoney’s condition.  He is doing well and it won’t take long for him to be up and running again…well, walking fast…..

Much love and hugs and SMILES ACROSS THE MILES……lindalu

22 comments:

Heather said...

Oh my goodness. Oh my goodness. I can't imagine how you were feeling throughout that whole process. Many prayers, I'm sure.

Thankful that you're both well, safe and on the mend. Now that I know, I'll keep you lifted with every thought ♥

{{{hugs}}}

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Oh, LINDA..........such a hard week and weekend for you!!!!!!!!!! So sorry!!! But soooo glad that Huhoney is home now...and that this had a happy ending...And yes, he does look like Gene Hackman...what a handsome couple you must make! I will continue to keep you both in my prayers! Have a wonderful weekend!!! Love, Janine XO

Joolz said...

What a week you've had! So glad everything turned out okay and your Huhoney is doing well. You are excused from not posting all last week! Lol! That tree of life is beautitful and makes a lovely blog banner too. Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers,

Joolz

Wanda..... said...

Linda, here's one villager that knew nothing of your husband's emergency, so sorry, what a scary situation to wake up to, terrible ordeal for the both of you.

Glad that he is home with you and I hope...resting and doing everything you say!

♥...Wanda

Cynthia L. H. said...

OH MY GOODNESS for suRE!!!!!!!
I'm so sorry that you both had to go through all of that, but thank goodness he came through alright!!! I love his smile. He looks so chipper...even after all of that.
It is amazing to me that you could photograph and blog about all that...as emotional as it was...I think that is a good way to keep your chin up and focus on the positive.
You are amazing.
SO glad things are better!!!!!!!!!!
Hugs,
C

Bernie said...

Was following everything on FB but wasn't quite sure what the problem was.....I hope everything is sorted so that he never has to go through this again, must of been so frightening for all of you. I know you must be feeling so much better having him home. I do hope you have a wonderful weekend...Hugs

Pat said...

Oh my, oh my! What news this is! I'm so glad huhoney is home and is doing well, I will keep him in my prayers that he continues to improve! I must say, for someone going through what he did, he sure looks good!
I'm going to have to hook up with you on FB so I know what's happening and keep in the loop! LOL!
I LOVE that tree, how perfect.
I'd tell you to stay strong...but I think you already are!
Hugs!

Judy Nebeker said...

Linda, Bob is such a wonderful guy, so glad to know that he is on the mend. What a weekend you had. I still think he's a Jesse James lookalike!

Diana said...

I am so happy to hear that everything is fine now Linda. Is he taking PLavix? Thats what they gave me along with aspirin a change in diet and a lecture! It is scary to go through and I pray that none of us have to go through it again! Love Di ♥

imac said...

So sorry to hear about your Hubby, good thinking and fast acting will have helped.
Glad to hear he's out of hosp and taking it easy.
Prayers and our thoughts to you both, my friend.

BECKY said...

Oh Linda...I am so relieved that your sweetie is all right. I have never had to deal with anything like that, and don't know if I would do as well as you did.

I am praying for Huhoney right now and trusting that God will completely heal Him. So glad he has a good sense of humor!! And a sweet, loving wife to tend to him!!

Blessings and hugs,
Becky

Eileen said...

Oh, Linda, I'm so sorry to read all this!
I'm so sorry you both had to go through all this! Really frightening.
So glad that your husband is back home again, and I hope that all is well now.

I love that beautiful tree. And I love your beautiful relationship.
You are both in my prayers.
Love to you,
Eileen

Jackie said...

Lindalu...It is June 7, and I am just finding out about your sweet husband's stay in the hospital. I know that must have been so frightening. He had to undergo so many tests, I'm sure...and thank goodness that someone was with you and that you were able to get him to the hospital so quickly.
I think he deserves a medal! Why? For putting up with the photos! :))
You make me smile, girl...and I am truly TRULY thankful that he is on the mend.
Hugs and love to you from Jackie

Penny said...

Hugs and kisses to our Uncel Bob- He looks good after all he has been through. What about you girl? So glad Kev and Carrie were there for you- they must have good parents! love you mucho~ps

shabby girl said...

How absolutely terrifying! Isn't it amazing that in the midst of all of that, you still had the thought of having to stay calm. The mind is capable of incredible things when it has to be.
So happy to hear that Huhoney is home and is going to be alright! Whew!

Barb said...

Oh MY GOSH! Linda! I was not on the computer for a week - my D-i-L had spinal surgery, and we had the 3 children. I was so shocked by Huhoney's stroke. My heart started beating fast when I read your post. Thank goodness he is home and smiling again. Does he have any residual problems? Tell him to be good and REST! (Easier said than done, I know...) Keep us posted. My Husband and I send him all good wishes for a speedy recovery.

Schippertje said...

I am so glad to see that things are going better for Uncle B. We were really worried about him but glad we were there to help you! We love you guys so much and are so grateful for you.
Love,
Kevin and Carrie
P.S. Remember how Carrie had to take that clinical test that day? Well apparently she works well under stress cause she got a 98!!! WOOOHOOO!

Jientje said...

I almost forgot to breathe when I was reading this post, but I'm very glad he's okay. Thank goodness. I know how much you love him and he loves you right back, that's why he recovered so fast. And yes, he DOES look like Gene Hackman! Hugs xxx

Lisa said...

Oh, my word, Linda! This was a terrible suspense thriller! SOOO glad he was OK in the end! Is everything good? No side effects? Are YOU OK?

Jerelene said...

Dearest Linda,
I am so sorry to hear that your sweet hubby has been so ill :( This had to be so hard on you too..
Please know that I will be keeping you both in my prayers..
Much love and many hugs,
Jerelene

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Just wanted you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers, dear Linda!!! Love you, Janine XO

Barb said...

Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and Huhoney. Hope all is well.