The Hospital Bag

Last week was long and exhausting. I took Howard to the hospital a week ago last Saturday at midnight, brought him home Thursday evening, and took him back this past Saturday morning. He had surgery that evening, recuperated Sunday, and is coming home this morning.

It'll be 6-12 weeks for recovery. He's not allowed to bend, twist, lift, or reach. He can only sit for 20-30 minutes, take increasingly longer walks, and lie down. It'll take ten days for the incision to heal and after that, we can evaluate what's possible. He's normally a very active person. You see our problem. Fun. NOT! The boys have suggested duct tape.

Howard had a severely herniated disk with an unusual presentation affecting the right not the left side of his body and wrapped around the nerve to the point of rubbing it raw. Since he already lives with chronic pain, he has a high pain threshold. It was most likely that rubbed raw point that did him in.

There is much to be thankful for. The first time we went to emerge, the admitting nurse had also had a herniated disk. He could empathize. The second time, the same nurse was on again and standing right behind him was the specialist. They admitted Howard right away and his case received priority. Yesterday, the specialist told us that it would have been three months for an office visit followed by a twenty-four month wait for scheduled surgery. I'm not sure either of us could have handled that stress. This is bad enough.




Thank God for knitting. It's good to have busy hands. I worked on the black sweater most of the time. I'm not sure if I like it although that could be because I'm too tired to think straight. Yesterday, I knit a child's toque. My intention was to knit an adult size one only I must have packed the wrong size of needles. Oh well. This works. It's cute.

Seven days sitting in the hospital gives you a LOT of time to think. The majority of the patients were much older than Howard and I. From them, I learned the importance of remaining flexible, being at a healthy body weight, and asking for help. I was very aware of those who were alone with no one to help them. I have no extended family to fill that role and being Howard's care giver was tiring enough. I can only imagine how difficult it is when you're tired, lonely, in pain, scared, and confused.

I also learned the importance of the hospital bag. You know how "they" say we should always wear pretty panties just in case we're in an accident. I'm thinking we need a few more pairs in a bag along with some soft t-shirts, flannel jammie pants, fresh socks, slippers, a toothbrush and other toiletries, a pen, paper, a ball of yarn, some needles, a toque pattern, and a deck of cards. Just in case. You never know.

It's an awareness. Will I exercise, lose weight, and pack a bag? Possibly. First I need some sleep and a little stitching time in my studio. The bra supplies came Friday. I hope to work on those soon. First, maybe the two t-shirts I was thinking about a week go.

Talk soon - Myrna

Grateful - successful surgery