DH is in hospital - Scary!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

pixie dust headed your way that your DH has a speedy recovery.

 

[minniecarousel]

Hoping for a quick recovery - hang in there. (do you have someone who could help out some?)

 

[DMickey28]

I will send prayers to your family and your DH. I know how scary it is ... do you have family around to help and support you?

My DH ended up in the ICU with what they thought orignally a heart attack when he was 33, this past May. I know how scary that is ... He is doing fine today and it was a case of myocarditis, which itself is not good either.

 

[boysmom5150]

 

[ols386]

Best wishes for you and your family.

 

[NotUrsula]

Good wishes your way for your DH's safe recovery.

My family has this problem; it's hereditary on our Dad's side. I'm the only one of my siblings that it has not happened to yet. The pulmonologist says that the probable reason that I've escaped so far is that I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, nor lived for an extended period with anyone who did. (It's not that smoking causes this, but if you have it, smoke aggravates it and makes it more likely for the blebs to rupture.)
There is also some theory that having this condition makes you more susceptible to lung cancer -- God knows that this family has a truly bad track record in that regard.

My sister almost died the last time hers decided to collapse. They both went at once, when she was home alone in the bathtub -- she couldn't get enough air, got weak, and just slid right down under the water. Luckily her roommate came home and saw water coming out from under the bathroom door. When she didn't get an answer, she broke in and dragged my sister out. My sister had the procedure you are speaking of after that incident, and she hasn't had another spontaneous collapse since -- 23 years now.

 

[Freyja]

Good wishes your way for your DH's safe recovery.

My family has this problem; it's hereditary on our Dad's side. I'm the only one of my siblings that it has not happened to yet. The pulmonologist says that the probable reason that I've escaped so far is that I have never smoked a cigarette in my life, nor lived for an extended period with anyone who did. (It's not that smoking causes this, but if you have it, smoke aggravates it and makes it more likely for the blebs to rupture.)
There is also some theory that having this condition makes you more susceptible to lung cancer -- God knows that this family has a truly bad track record in that regard.

My sister almost died the last time hers decided to collapse. They both went at once, when she was home alone in the bathtub -- she couldn't get enough air, got weak, and just slid right down under the water. Luckily her roommate came home and saw water coming out from under the bathroom door. When she didn't get an answer, she broke in and dragged my sister out. My sister had the procedure you are speaking of after that incident, and she hasn't had another spontaneous collapse since -- 23 years now.

Wow, what a scary post! Fortunately he has never smoked a single cigarette in his whole life and has never lived with anyone who smoked.

 

[NHdisneylover]

Oh Freyja--sorry the blood work came back showing an infection I agree it is very good that the hospital and doctors are doing everything right and not taking any additional chances. I know it must be hard to have everything prolonged. You must be so exhausted from all the sleepless nigths already that even more nights until you can rest easy about your DH (and more days and nights as a "single mom") must sound very daunting right now. Do you have friends or family there you can lean on for support. If WE were in Iceland I would be happily bringing dinner by for you the next few days. I bet someone there will do that (and more) if you just ask.

 

[Sheree Bobbins]

I'm sorry to hear what you and your husband have been going through. I hope the children start to get well soon so you can get some much-needed rest. It's too bad your husband has an infection and collapsed lung. I'm praying for him and you.

 

[minkydog]

Wow! the things you learn on the DIS. I've been a nurse for 32 years and I never knew collapsed lung could happen over and over in a healthy person. This sounds so scary. I hope they can find the source of infection soon and get the proper treatment. And I hope you have some friends or family who can come along-side and help you with the children. It's awful when you're torn between taking care of the kids and taking care of your spouse.

 

[tigercat]

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. I hope things end up good.
tigercat

 

[Freyja]

Oh Freyja--sorry the blood work came back showing an infection I agree it is very good that the hospital and doctors are doing everything right and not taking any additional chances. I know it must be hard to have everything prolonged. You must be so exhausted from all the sleepless nigths already that even more nights until you can rest easy about your DH (and more days and nights as a "single mom") must sound very daunting right now. Do you have friends or family there you can lean on for support. If WE were in Iceland I would be happily bringing dinner by for you the next few days. I bet someone there will do that (and more) if you just ask.

That is so sweet. Thank you!


And to all of you who have sent their best wishes, thank you too!

I am lucky to be surrounded by great people

 

[DawnCt1]

DS#1 had a spontaneous pneumothorax when he was 17. He went to the school nurse and told her that he felt short of breath and felt like tissue paper was crinkling in his chest. She took his blood pressure and sent him back to class. By the time he got home he was panicked. It was snowing. I listened to his chest and heard no breath sounds in the upper right quadrant. I called the pediatrician and he told me not to waste time bringing him in but to take him to the radiologist. He had a 20% pneumothorax. Right on the border of treating it with chest tubes or not. With rest, his lung reinflated over a few days. CT scan showed that he had blebs. He hasn't had a recurrence and he is 31. Its probably a blessing that this happened because DH scuba dives and DS#1 always wanted to. Scuba diving is not permitted with this condition, at least untreated. (leaving blebs). I worked on a surgical floor so I considered it quite common. Usually tall, thin young men so it was the first thing that I thought of. Our pediatrician however had only seen a couple of cases.

 

[Disneylover79]

for you..and for your DH... I am an ICU nurse so I know of what you are going through...a couple of pointers..be sure to right down the questions that you think of right away so you have them to ask the nurse and if she doesn't have the answer ask her to find it for you... the nurse is now going to become your and your DH liaison..also tell your husband to not be afraid to ask for pain medications if he needs them before the pain gets to bad...please keep us posted...

P.S. Can I just say I love the DIS there are so many people here who are so caring and are always there for others when needed.. to everyone on the DIS

 

[RNMOM]

Freyja,

When I worked in surgery more than 30 YEARS ago, This proceedure was performed the very same way. It is a time tested and true to work surgery so I hope that helps you relax a bit. I'm sorry to hear about his blood work but they will do things the best way.

I hope you manage to get all your little ones healthy and can spend time with him. Best thoughts and positive energies sent your way.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Good wishes and prayers, Freyja, for your hubby. He will be up and out in no time, good as new.

 

[MissyDVC]

Sending good thoughts, prayers and hugs

 

[Freyja]

Thank you all!

Update!

Good news first: CT scan showed great imrpovement and if the results from the scan today are as positive they will remove the tube

Bad news: They told him this morning they might not do the surgery and we are VERY UNHAPPY about this. The chances for the lung collapsing again after 3 spontaneous collapses is over 50%. If they don´t do the surgery it will mean a significant decrease in his quality of life since he is a very active person. He hikes a lot and travels extensively. I do not like the idea of him being on top of some mountain, or in Greenland (as he was just a few weeks ago) or on a cross atlantic flight when his lung collapses.

 

[diznygirl]

Oh, that is bad news. Do you have patient advocates at the hospitals in Iceland? The surgery really sounds like something that can improve his quality of life by preventing any additional collapses. I hope you guys can convince the doctors to change their minds!!!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Freyja