Harrysmom's Hubby Andy

[Harrysmum]

It's been a bit of a yucky old day....loads of pain, sort of shooting downwards from the incision, via the shoulder, under the armpit, all the way down his arm and making the middle 3 fingers of his left hand numb...

Andy rang his GP, who said it was all his nerves still jangling away - and has increased his morphine dosage, just for now, to get him over the worse...

I have emailed the secretary of the surgeon that performed the operation - just to make sure that this is what we should be expecting...the hospital is absolutely excellent and specialises in this sort of surgery, and I know we'll get a proper reply tomorrow (it's nearly 11 p.m. here now - won't be tonight )

In the meantime - Andy's eaten his dinner - roast chicken breast with olives, tomatoes + peppers...garlic + rosemary new potatoes...leeks + peas, then sticky toffee pudding and cream so at least he won't fade away! He didn't really feel like eating, but I had to make him eat - soak up all those drugs....

So please still keep my lovely Andy in all your thoughts, and thank you ALL for your continuing good wishes xxx

[lisaly]

I'm sorry Andy is so much pain. I know how difficult it must be for you seeing him like that. Andy has a special nurse and also a precious buddy to look over him. I pray the pain subsides and that his recovery is quick.

[Harrysmum]

Thank you Lisa, you're a sweetheart xxx

[EarthAngel]

I am keeping Andy in my prayers and hope when the surgeon gets back to you, will say it is normal occurrence that won't last long. I know you are doing so very good taking care of Andy and even making the best dinners for him to enjoy. Make sure you take care of you also. Hugs, Dyan

[yorkiemini]

Prayers and hugs for Andy and best chef award for Nurse Sally

....sticky toffee pudding and creme....can I come over?

[MauiGirl]

Hope tomorrow is better for Andy, and that his recovery gets rolling in the right direction.

[Harrysmum]

Ohhhh, how I wish you could all come to ours for dinner - what a wonderful, happy time we'd all have!!!

I've spoken to the actual surgeon who did the operation, such a lovely reassuring man. He said that everything went perfectly, but that one of the neck-nerves was so totally trapped that it was completely squashed Can you imagine?!!!? Poor man.

He said that it WILL take time, it has to kind of re-shape and then all calm down - it may take weeks, to keep taking the drugs, and to relax and do nothing That's THE most difficult bit for Andy - he's my hoover-er, window-cleaner, lawn mower-er (do you like all these words that I'm concocting?!!!? ) etc., so I'm really having to keep him in check...

Big hugs to you all, from Andy as well as from Harry + I!! xxx

[EarthAngel]

Sally, Thankfully the surgeon has reassured you both that all is going as it should. I know Andy will want to be doing all the things he would but when he is totally healed he can start doing them again. In the meantime, I hope he takes it easy. Hugs to all!

[MauiGirl]

Sally, you are so sweet to update us when I know you really have your hands full. You do know how we all think about Andy, and are so hoping that he will get better.

It is great to have good communication with the surgeon and doctors to understand what is going on as Andy continues to heal. Recovery takes time, especially in these delicate procedures. Just keep telling him that this too shall pass, and better days are coming (for all of you).

Hugs to all of you. I bet Harry is happy to have a napping partner

[Harrysmum]

Well, he's doing loads of sleeping (Andy, I mean!!! ) so then I catch up on all my chores - and have my lovely down-time on YT!!!

What IS difficult at the mo, is that I'm also the principle carer for my parents (both mid-80's, quite a lot wrong with them, especially my dad ). They were going to move into the house next door to us (neighbours moving back to Portugal) but unfortunately that all fell through - if they were next door right now, life would be a lot, lot easier.

So I'm still trying to do everything that I 'normally' do for them, plus look after Andy. Mum + dad are so, so sympathetic and caring, and love us all to bits - but shopping, some cleaning, generally getting them out of the house etc. etc. still have to be done

It's quite a juggle - but we're getting there!!! xxx

[yorkietalkjilly]

Originally Posted by Harrysmum

It's been a bit of a yucky old day....loads of pain, sort of shooting downwards from the incision, via the shoulder, under the armpit, all the way down his arm and making the middle 3 fingers of his left hand numb...

Andy rang his GP, who said it was all his nerves still jangling away - and has increased his morphine dosage, just for now, to get him over the worse...

I have emailed the secretary of the surgeon that performed the operation - just to make sure that this is what we should be expecting...the hospital is absolutely excellent and specialises in this sort of surgery, and I know we'll get a proper reply tomorrow (it's nearly 11 p.m. here now - won't be tonight )

In the meantime - Andy's eaten his dinner - roast chicken breast with olives, tomatoes + peppers...garlic + rosemary new potatoes...leeks + peas, then sticky toffee pudding and cream so at least he won't fade away! He didn't really feel like eating, but I had to make him eat - soak up all those drugs....

So please still keep my lovely Andy in all your thoughts, and thank you ALL for your continuing good wishes xxx

Poor Andy - those first few days after surgery are so awful! But this kind of pain is good, given the area he was operated on and the regenerative nature of nerves but oh, boy, it's not any fun, is it? Poor Andy had a devil of a procedure and many important nerve roots and nerves were bruised, shoved and held aside and badly misused - in their opinion - and now they are waking up, becoming more functional and starting to scream out in protest as they go through the healing and regeneration process. There will be more of the same over the next weeks and even months but not as bad as time goes on. Poor, poor Andy. I feel so for him - he's going to have a rough time of it but your nursing and amazing cooking and love and caring can't help but ease his path, though he may turn into the biggest grouch you've ever known over the next two weeks. Harry will help keep up his spirits - the old Andy will return one day - when he's not jumping on Daddy with full force - haha!

I'm so sorry Andy - and you - and also even Harry(he gets that there is sickness in the house) are having to go through all of this. I'm just so thankful he's got you and Harry. Prayers continue every day!

When all this is over, I hope you all can take a nice holiday in France or something. You'll all deserve it.

[MauiGirl]

Sending lots of warm thoughts your way. Sally you sure have a lot to deal with, and I hope things ease up for you soon.

[matese]

Hoping Andy is feeling a wee bit better today. Sally, make sure you are not neglecting yourself, mom, dad, Andy, you're spreading your self thin. Make sure you rest and you too eat properly, you can't get run down, if you do, lil Harry will have to over see everyone, now you don't want that for little boy. (((HUGS)))

[Lilah Charm]

Originally Posted by matese

Hoping Andy is feeling a wee bit better today. Sally, make sure you are not neglecting yourself, mom, dad, Andy, you're spreading your self thin. Make sure you rest and you too eat properly, you can't get run down, if you do, lil Harry will have to over see everyone, now you don't want that for little boy. (((HUGS)))

Whoa mama that's a lot on your plate! Time for a bubble bath. Andy is very lucky to have you and I bet your parents are so pleased and proud of what a loving generous spirit their daughter has- make sure to give to yourself too though. Do you have respite support? It sounds like you are able to leave the house to do your parent errands but I am sure there is nothing relaxing about staying away longer to have a latte! like you said, if only they were next door. I know your mind is on your loved ones and I am glad that you all have that beautiful relationship and cooperative caring but spend some time really thinking of ways to support yourself too during this time of extra stress- what you can let go (time for the months scrub behind the fridge! Or maybe not) and see what you can outsource (got a local lawn mower?) and then dive into to those moments- if and when you find them- to snuggle up and watch a movie or read a book, to lounge in the bathtub with a glass of wine (my favorite indulgence lately), or whatever it is that leaves you feeling like you got a piece of yourself and your sanity back and like you can stay clam, level and strong ant keep going forward even through these hard times with a strong heart. My love and prayers go out to to you and your family. Big hugs.

[yorkietalkjilly]

Hoping Sally and Andy are making it through today and things aren't too bad. Sally, you hanging, girl?