Emotional week. Sorting it out.

Busy day! Went to get an actual shower chair for mike. All the tips and tricks had been tried but it just wasn't cutting it. Now don't get me wrong I love the shower as much as the next person, and as enjoyable as it is to climb into the shower with him, the 14 year old's smirks, looks and eye rolls when we both step out of the bathroom wet were just enough to get the 5 year old going. Given the shower is the place he finds the most pain relief from his broken ribs, well it was time to find a better solution.

Then I took him to a nice little look out spot with a view of the water. He is so fond of the ocean and has been so down that I hoped it would help. He didn't seem like he wanted to go home. Mike didn't really say much though so I am not entirely sure if he liked it or not. I mean I am sure he liked it but I don't know that it helped much.

Home was the next stop on the list. I drove rather slow as he seemed to finally be getting some rest in the passenger seat of the car. By the time we got here though it was only for about 20 minutes. Then we all loaded back into the car to drop the youngest off with my mom so I could take mike to his doctors appointment. We finally got his meds straightened out and all new prescriptions so I am a little better set in my care for him. Doc scheduled a follow up with the surgeon for Friday to have the incision sites checked and stitches removed. He also scheduled an appointment for mike in a month to talk about a defibrillator. Mike really isn't into the idea after this whole experience, but told the doc he would think about it after he was healed up some.

I know part of mikes concern is the time he will be down. Our business is our sole income and mike is the primary attraction. It's a hard blow to our finances. We had just gotten to be self supportive and now we have crashed hard. We didn't have much saved since all our extra has been going to my custody battle for my son and I just maxed out the credit card to fill the new prescriptions. I worry that he will put the finances over his health. I believe that somehow it will work out and would rather he focus on getting better than stressing on it. I keep telling him I would rather have him than the house, and yes it would be nice to have both but I really just want my family together.

The heart-lung machine causes mental changes in many people. It's early days yet, but you shouldn't be afraid to consider antidepressants if his down mood continues.

I'm glad things are going as well as they are. Hang in there!

Sending positive energy your way....wow, such a hard time in so many ways for you all...I am glad you can be together and remember things have a way of working out so just go one day at a time and stay positive...Peace and love...Hugs to all    

No matter what life throws at us, we stand strong together. We take turns grabbing each other by the hand and encouraging, one step at a time out of the darkness of the hardships of life. From my court custody drama, to the loss of his parents. From surgery for my medical treatment, to surgery for his, and all the events of life in between. It would be amazing if life was easy for a change, but we wouldn't have a clue what to do that way. In chaos, madness, panic and disorder, we love fully, live completely, and celebrate each moment. It is now my turn to hold his hand and be strong. Soon this hardship will be past us, but I know the memories will hang in my family's life for they rest of our lives.

             

They can take a lot from you, but not your attitude!
Standing strong!
Hugs!!

My thoughts are with you and I've been away awhile. I just read through the whole thread now and between crying and joy then scared, now hopeful. I am almost glad to have read it all at once! It was a roller coaster for me in one sitting, I think if I was reading this as it went I would have been near sleepless! I'm grateful for your successes and triumphs so far and I'm wishing you many more. I can't imagine my life without my DH and I'm glad you now don't have to either........

Just sending you some new hugs today!
Thinking of you!!
Xxx

Thinking of you as we get ready for church. Lizzie said it well...keep up that strong attitude & we'll keep being here for you. Prayers & "virtual hugs" coming your way.

Yes, Shannon - we are thinking of you both and hoping/praying that you continue down the path of positive outlooks and positive outcomes!  

I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday together. Thinking of you and sending positive prayers out. ((((hugs))))), Peace and Love.

Sorry I have been slacking a bit guys. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging. Mike was just getting after me for not keeping up. Which in itself is a wonderful update. Mike is recovering beautifully. His incisions are about 85% healed. Friday we saw the surgeon. He felt mike was doing great, the only worries were a possible superficial infection in the top inch of his foot long chest incision (but given that mike is already on an antibiotic for his teeth that got infected it is simply a keep an eye on it) and that his blood pressure is still a little low. He cut his blood pressure meds in half from where the cardiologist had cut it to on Monday. So mike is now down to 1/4 a pill on that one. It seems every time he goes to an appointment they cut his meds more slowly tapering him off. He has another appointment Friday with the surgeon for another wound check.

He gets around really well now on his own. It has become so strange knowing 2 weeks ago he had machines and i doing everything for him and now my assistance is so minimal. But this is good, even if it is hard for me to accept. I understand he is progressing faster than the average but I haven't quite gotten past the bring him home stage. He leaves me scrambling to try and keep up with the recovery.

This is not to say there haven't been rough patches in the past week. Trying to find a way he can sleep is a constant challenge. With the broken ribs complicating the issue of limited possibilities we have ended up with a padded corner in the office that he can rest his head against while sitting in the chair. Head on desk makes the other option. Figuring out foods he can eat is another issue, but we have been doing ok there too. There was a few days of bad anxiety and panic attacks for him but we worked through those together as well. All things considered I feel that we are getting along well. It was the most amazing moment a couple days ago when we were hanging out and he smiled, just a simple at peace happy smile, and the first I had seen like it in a very very long time. That one moment made everything worth it just to see.

Of course now as I am writing our youngest came up sick with a tummy bug. What fun this will be. I have her on the top floor and mike on the bottom and have the staging area in between! Lol

And thank you all for your continued love and support! Each and everyone of you are amazing and wonderful!!!

Please lovely, don't you ever apologize for taking care of you family before updating us!!
We can wait!! Just wanted to let you know we are thinking of you all, hoping all this sort out well!
You're are doing such a great job and if I lived nearby I would definitely come over to take care of YOU!
Please make yourself a nice cup of tea or coffee and imagine me sitting there next to you, chatting a bit, drinking tea together, taking just a moment rest.
Maybe have a laugh and poof some glitter to sparkle up the day!
Wouldn't that be nice?!
 

Beautiful words, lizzie.

Thanks so much for the update. I was getting worried and to think there was no reason to! Mike is a lion! That stinks that he has very little comfort options for sleeping. (When I went through all my surgeries I had to sleep in a recliner for 2 1/2 years!) But hopefully his ribs will improve every day and allow him to lay down soon.

Keep on keepin' on and hopefully the stomach bug won't hit YOU!!!

Thank you for the update!!! We look forward to the post that says life is back to normal and better than ever!! XXXOOOO

So happy to read your update! Sounds like very good news indeed, except the poor little one. Hope she is better quickly and you can also get some rest and relaxation in. You all remain in my thoughts and prayers. Peace and Love.

Good to hear all is progressing well. The anxiety and panic attacks strange dreams etc can be side affects of the drugs from his operation. My husband had these from his heart surgery.
Hope your little one is well soon too.

I am so pleased with his progress and happy that he is feeling better all the way across the spectrum. The kids are doing better and are both back to school today. Mike insisted on attending one of his regular gigs yesterday. He didn't perform the full slot and found that for all he can still perform there is a lot he can't. Hopefully as his arm continues to heal he will regain more feeling and dexterity. In the meantime we are facing the possibility that he may not be able to perform anymore. Thankfully it is still to early to tell.

Yes, too early to tell...

But what wonderful news!  

wow, Great to hear he is out and about!

So happy for you all!

So I had been planning on covering his gig tonight, but given that he can't be away from me yet and how hard last night was on him we decided to stay home. It is hard though since on the one hand I am worried he pushes himself too hard but on the other I kind of wanted to do the show. But when it came time I couldn't help but feel we should stay home. I feel so confused and overwhelmed and worried and oh we'll I guess I am just having a night. It doesn't help that my teeth are kicking my butt. Time for some deep breathing a shower and a cup of tea I think.

You've been so strong and powerful! Of course sometimes you get a bit of a 'breakdown' (well,.... Yeah!), it takes lots and lots of energy.
Sending you a lot of hugs, and then some more, and then a few spares to cover up!!
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Oh LadyJynx, I can't believe all of this was happening and I was away, so couldn't join in the wealth of love and support you've had on here.  I have tears in my eyes (OK, a few on my cheeks) reading this thread and I'm so pleased that, whilst it's early days, Michael seems to be holding strong right now.

Please, PLEASE look after yourself as well as him.  You'll inevitably get a comedown from all of this, and your current exhaustion is probably part of that.  Remember you're important too.  Your loving heart and strength of spirit shine through your posts, and I admire that more than I can say.

Best, best wishes to Mike and to you, and also to your beautiful little girl.  She sounds so sensitive and compassionate - characteristics the world needs more of. She obviously inherited them from her parents.

Love,

Gill xx

We saw the surgeon yesterday. Mike's wounds are healing great. His part is done. One less doctor to visit. Now we are back to the cardiologist. They did put him back on the water pills due to his swelling, but that is about the extent of the excitement. Despite all our efforts he ended up catching the kids sickie bug. That appears to be passing to now. I am a little nervous about the gig I have tomorrow. The last time I painted was while he was in surgery. I tried but my mind simply draws a blank every time I pick up a brush. I hope this does not carry through to the event. In the mean time we are supposed to get a washer and dryer this weekend. Yay for ease of laundry!