Well Ken had his operation last Tuesday after a 10 hour wait so not a good start.
has had the shunt inserted and was discharged the next day. Got him home and he started vomiting very badly. So called 111 and an ambulance was here really quickly with 2 fabulous female paramedics. He then passed out and long story short we ended up in a and e where they mentioned sepsis or shunt displacement. We sat there for 3 hours with nothing happening and then lucky for him my daughters S I L turned up. She’s a paramedic. Got things moving but we sat in a side ward till 4am when the surgeon who operated turned up and admitted him to the neuro ward. He’s been really poorly with bad constipation and stomach ache. Back home yesterday but is really weak and wobbly and not a happy bunny. Is wishing he’d never had it done now. Got 16 staples in his head and more in his abdomen. Hope it was all worth it.
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Suet3942
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Oh Sue - how awful for you both - it’s bad enough when the surgery goes to plan & without the prolonged wait - only for the complications that followed.
I’m sure he feels like he shouldn’t have had it done but hopefully in a few days the picture will look brighter 🙏🏼
I hope he feels much better soon. Sending a virtual hug 🌸
Crickey, our men seem to be suffering worse than us at the moment. Poor man and thank goodness for your daughter. Our Jen always gets the ball rolling and never sits on the fence. Patients need families the speak up for them. Just dreading my hubby after coming out of HDU going back to the same ward he came out of, or rather we ended up discharging him from. When they see Jen and I they will probably think, ' no way not them again,' but yes way it's us again haha. What exactly, if you don't mind me asking was wrong with your husband.
Is that what used to be called water on the brain. My daughters friends dad has just been in hospital for it and mde a complete recovery. Hope your hubby get well soon.
Bear in mind Anne that the ward your hubby was on after HDU last time will probably have completely different staff by now. If not and they DO remember you hopefully they’ll be on the ball and at least you know what to look out for this time!!
True. But it was only last June....to be exact surgery was on the 10th. After being in the High dependency Unit for approx 4 days, they were amazing. Then put on to that awful ward. Got to say some of the nurses were lovely though.
I so agree with you regarding day surgery, my husband had to have lymph nodes removed following a diagnosis of skin cancer. He had to be at the hospital at 7am and after various delays he was finally operated on at 2pm. I was called at 5pm to pick him up and when I got there he still hadn’t come round from the anesthetic. There was a notice on the wall saying unit closed at 7pm. The nurse was trying to rouse him and grabbed him under the arm where the nodes had been removed, that certainly woke him up, and made the wound bleed. They did not seem to think it was a problem. He was still groggy as 7pm was approaching and there was only us and a nurse still there. She was obviously keen to leave and hurried us up. Whilst getting dressed blood starting coming from the dressing and was falling on the floor. I went to find the nurse and she didn’t have a look but gave me tissues to stem the blood. Weren’t given a number to phone if there was a problem, just told not to remove the dressing for a week. We were glad to get out of there and by the time we got home the dressing was soaked with blood. I redressed it with what I had indoors and after a sleepless night called the GP and saw the practice nurse who was horrified at what she saw. She redressed wound properly and phoned the hospital and we were given an appointment to go there a few days later to get it redressed again. The very thought of day surgery now gives us the shivers. This was 5 years ago but we still remember the experience and I doubt things have improved.
My daughter had what was meant to be day surgery (how anyone could think what they were doing was a day trip I have no idea). The nurse in charge informed the surgeon there was no way this patient was being discharges until pain was under control That took a few days - she would have had an hour's drive home had she gone, it needed solid pain management. One surgeon said home, the other said no way - 3 surgeons had been involved. Ridiculous.
It sounds like a very stressful time for you, but your husband has had the operation and although it's not much consolation, I do know that infection & displacement can be quite common after surgery...or during first few months post surgery.
However, I'm extremely shocked to hear Ken was discharged the day after the operation. A patient who's had this procedure would normally be monitored for a few days and it, "would be hoped to discharge them within 7dys"! That was definitely the protocol I was familiar with as a nurse.
Hopefully his current issues have now been sorted out and he can look forward to improving with each consecutive day.
I'm sure when he gets over this initial 'hump' he'll begin to feel more comfortable and then everything will feel much more positive. Sending a hug.
Oh Sue what a terrifying experience. I hope to God it was worth it and as he heals he thinks this too. Look after yourself in all this too, I cannot imagine more stressful hours even though the troops all came through. Sending love ❤️
Wishing your hubby a speedy recovery Sue, such a worrying and stressful time for you both. I really wish they wouldn't discharge folk so quickly, it seems one day and you're out! Pretty regardless of what you've had done 😩
What a frightening and stressful situation Sue! As you say hope it was worth it. I’m sure it was as things start to settle down. Hang on in there and take care of yourself. Xx💐
Oh goodness, what a worrying and anxious time for you all. I hope he makes a fast and successful recovery. I hope you can relax a bit now and take care of yourself too.
What a worry for you both Suet, hope your husband gets better soon.
Oh you poor things, all the very best to you and your hubby, I do hope he makes a good recovery. You take care of journey too. It's a great deal of stress for the wives when our hubbies are unwell. Janis
How awful for you both and your poor husband feeling so ill. Not what you want after such a traumatic operation. Hope things start to improve - a few days can make all the difference. Does sound like he was sent home too soon. Look after yourself too. 🌺
Hi, wishing your husband a full recovery ASAP. As someone who has had several cranial shunts in over the years, it seems that its not always straightforward. (Mine was changed three times over a ten year timescale and eventually removed completely). I now have my cranial pressure controlled epidurally, because I was reacting so badly to frequent neurosurgery. Not sure how long the surgeons can continue to do it this way because I am getting a build up of scar tissue. I'm due to see the neurosurgeon again in October as my pressure is raised causing many of the problems your husband will be facing.
But, when the shunt is making the fluid drain correctly it is marvellous, you feel almost normal very quickly.
Hoping that your husband will soon get back to normal, and wishing you well.
Aww. I'm so sorry you both have to go through this. XIt's not the nicest of operations or recoveries, but it saves lives. I have no medical training at all, but I responded to your post because I know how scary it can be and wanted to assure you that hopefully things will not only improve they will make a huge difference to your husband.
Hoping that you both get all the help and support you need..
Oh how awful for you all! Hard not to be stressed and worry about him given the fallout. Not sure why they keep discharging him?? Glad you have family to help advocate for his health while he’s feeling so poorly. He is also fortunate to have you.
Do what you need to as you go through this challenging time. I’m sending healing vibes his way, and remember we are all here for you if you need to vent (or want support).
Morning Sue, apologies but I somehow missed this yesterday, nothing constructive that I can add to the comments already made other than to send best wishes and hugs to you and Ken and wish Ken a speedy recovery and a positive outcome.
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