DH is in hospital - Scary!

[Freyja]

Yesterday my DH woke me up at 6 AM saying that his lung was probably collapsing again. This is the 3rd time in 5 years it has happened without any warning. The first time was in 2004 and the second time a year after, but since then he has been well.

When it happened the first time the doctors said that he had some "blisters" on his left lung and that some of them had burst causing a whole in the lung. They put a tube into his chest cavity to let the air out and help the lung unfold again. The told him that if this would be a reoccuring event they would do more extensive surgery to prevent it from happening again.

Well, when the same lung collapsed again a year later, it was only minor so they didn´t want to do anything then.

Now, they have decided to do the surgery.

Yesterday when he was taken via ambulance into the ER they took him almost directly to surgery to put in the chest tube and now they are waiting for him to get well enough to do the second surgery. They just did some blood work and a CT scan and I´m waiting for the results.

The surgery he will have today or tomorrow sounds pretty scary although it usually doesn´t take long. They will deflate the lung again, scrape of the blisters that are on it "take a piece of sand paper" (doctors words, lol) and scrape of the top layer of the lung to cause a bleeding and then staple the lung to the chestwall and make it grow into it. This should prevent it from collapsing again.

I am so exhausted. The kids have been sick for almost a month now, one getting sick as soon as another one is well. I haven´t slept through for I don´t know how long and now I am trying to find a way to take care of both my sick 17 month old and my DH.

My husband is only 33!!! Please send some pixie dust if you can spare it

 

[bethbuchall]

for your dh! and for you!

 

[wdwfan16]

That is so scary. That surgery sounds scary too!! I hope your DH is back to normal soon.

 

[SaraJayne]

 

[jfranklyn]

My brother had this! I think they called them "blibs" or something? Anyway, he had repeated collapsings, and then ended up having the major surgery - probably 15 years ago or more. You would never know it today - he's 48 now and runs around like a kid, stays in excellent shape, etc. He has never had anymore trouble with it, just as the doctors said. I remember at the time it was very scary, though. And I also remember that when he had the surgery, he ended up being in ICU for a few days - it was very scary. The doctors knew he would be fine, but the many tubes, pumps, etc were very scary for the family to see. Hugs for you and your family.

 

[minniebeth]

Thoughts and pixie dust go out to you and your DH! I hope the surgery goes well and that he can be on his way to recovering quickly!
I hope your children get better and stay well too.
As a wife and mother it can get exhausting not only because you are physically drained but because we worry so much about them too! Hang in there!

 

[Rogue26]

My husband had this surgery last year, but they didn't scrape off the blebs that develop. This will sound scary, but they cut of the top portion of his lung (the right one) and then stapled it shut. The blebs develop on the top, so they removed the problem. His scars are very small, it's not as invasive as it used to be. His lung is also coated with a powder that glues it open to his ribcage in case of future collapses, it works well too.

They need to collapse his lung during the surgery so they can do the work. It's actually pretty interesting, they'll insert a tube down his throat and move air from one lung to the other.

I know it's scary, he was 28 last year and I really wish our daughter, who was 7, didn't know what a spontainous pneaumothorax was.

I'm sorry your going through this, any questions, just ask. Is your husband tall and skinny? Apparently it usually happens to tall, skinny young men.

 

[Freyja]

My brother had this! I think they called them "blibs" or something? Anyway, he had repeated collapsings, and then ended up having the major surgery - probably 15 years ago or more. You would never know it today - he's 48 now and runs around like a kid, stays in excellent shape, etc. He has never had anymore trouble with it, just as the doctors said. I remember at the time it was very scary, though. And I also remember that when he had the surgery, he ended up being in ICU for a few days - it was very scary. The doctors knew he would be fine, but the many tubes, pumps, etc were very scary for the family to see. Hugs for you and your family.

Thanks for sharing. Always good to hear positive stories. The way they do this surgery today is a lot less invasive than it was a few years ago so now they expect him to be back home approx. 2 days after surgery if all goes well.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Sending good thoughts your way It must seem just overwhelming at the moment for you.

I was only 2 so have no memory of what actually happened, but what you describe sounds similar to surgery my dad had when he was 23, after his lung collapsed. I know my dad did just fine with the surgery, though my mom was very worried at the time, and has never had an issue with his lungs since (he is now in his fifties and very fit and active). Just trying to give you a light at the end of the tunnel

 

[Freyja]

Thoughts and pixie dust go out to you and your DH! I hope the surgery goes well and that he can be on his way to recovering quickly!
I hope your children get better and stay well too.
As a wife and mother it can get exhausting not only because you are physically drained but because we worry so much about them too! Hang in there!

Thanks! If I didn´t have to worry about work and university too it would be a lot easier.

My husband had this surgery last year, but they didn't scrape off the blebs that develop. This will sound scary, but they cut of the top portion of his lung (the right one) and then stapled it shut. The blebs develop on the top, so they removed the problem. His scars are very small, it's not as invasive as it used to be. His lung is also coated with a powder that glues it open to his ribcage in case of future collapses, it works well too.

They need to collapse his lung during the surgery so they can do the work. It's actually pretty interesting, they'll insert a tube down his throat and move air from one lung to the other.

I know it's scary, he was 28 last year and I really wish our daughter, who was 7, didn't know what a spontainous pneaumothorax was.

I'm sorry your going through this, any questions, just ask. Is your husband tall and skinny? Apparently it usually happens to tall, skinny young men.

Sorry you and your family had to go through this too! And yes, he is skinny, not really that tall, but they also told him when this happened the first time that is usually happens to tall, skinny guys between 20-40 years of age.

 

[suejai]

More and being sent your way. Remember to take naps when you can, even a few minutes will help. And keep up with vitamins and immune boosting. What tends to happen is once your period of stress is over you are more likely to get sick because you have run yourself down, so don't forget to look after yourself as well.

 

[Micca]

Hang in there Freyja.

 

[diznygirl]

More prayers and hugs. From the other posts here, it sounds like he will come out of this in better shape. Keep those positive thoughts!!

 

[Big V]

Prayers and good thoughts for your DH.

 

[Freyja]

Thanks everyone for your wellwishes. They mean alot!

 

[lucas]

Oh my, how scary! Positive thoughts coming to you and your family.

 

[4nana]

How very scary ! Sounds like you have a lot on your plate right now sweetie. Sending prayers DH's surgery is a success and he has complete recovery. Also that your kiddies are soon on the mend. Hang in there and be sure to take care of Mommy too.

 

[Freyja]

Update:

Results from the blood work just came back and they´re not exactly what we had hoped for. There is an infection going on somewhere in his body so they want to put the surgery on hold and wait until he gets an "all clear". I´m glad though that they´re not taking any risks.

 

[holycow]

Prayers for you and your family!

Hugs to. Try and get some rest! You won't be a help to anyone if you get sick too.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

More prayers and well wishes. Hang in there