DH very ill in hospital - a bit of a manly punch in the arm needed for me if anyone’s up

[Adamcgrathagain]

Not that it especially matters but I’ve been here since the day dot and lost my account in the recent GDPR bugger up at MN.

DH, DD (11) DS (7) and me have all had a type of flu for the last week. Me and the DCs are recovering. I spent all day in resus in accident and emergency with DH on Saturday as his breathing/coughing was terrible. I thought we needed an ambulance but they preferred I drove him in.

DH has now been admitted to the high dependency unit and has been on various face masks pushing high flow oxygen into him to try to proper reinflate his lungs. The diagnosis is pneumonia on both lungs. He’s on antivirals and antibiotics and is responding but only very very slowly. He’s struggling with the masks and has been told if he can’t tolerate those he’ll need to go to ITU be sedated, incubated and put on a ventilator. No one is able to give me a view as to prognosis but they’re clear he is seriously unwell and may soon tip over into critically unwell.

On the HDU advice me and DC went to the GPs yesterday am and have been told all our chests are clear. I’ve got laryngitis and a bad cough. My DM who lives close is staying with us to help and we’re just hoping she doesn’t catch the flu. So far so good on that front.

I cannot sleep for more than a few hours, can’t eat very well, can’t really even rest. The drs have all been saying i need to look after myself and I am trying. DH wants and is able to have me visit for about 20 mins a day for the last two days. My MIL and FIL visiting on Saturday and over night but have gone home (3 hour drive away) now.

All of this is compounded by the fact our son died at the same hospital 7 years ago (we found out he had very severe and unusual abonormalities when I was 5 1/2 months pregnant with him and were with GOSH for a while). We decided to end the pregnancy and DS1 was born and died at the hospital. 4 years ago my DB died as the result of an accident the day after an operation to remove a malignant brain tumour (the hospital let him go to the toilet by himself, he fell, hit his head and suffered a catastrophic brain bleed). All 3 births for me were traumatic (emergency section, DS1 s birth went wrong and left me and DH with PTSD). So I am not very good at hospitals and I am stressed beyond belief really.

And, sorry you’ve probably given up by now, I was diagnosed with a chronic health condition a year and a half ago and at times DH has to be my carer, depending on flare ups.

So really, has anyone had experience of double pneumonia like this? Any clue at all how long this nightmare might last?

That makes sense, re equalizing him to room air. Definitely time to start eating right and looking after physical and mental health. You will be amazed how much of a difference it will make to all your lives. I hope you all have a wonderful future together! X

Just to update the thread, DH was discharged last night. He’s incredibly happy to be back at home and In his own bed. He’s still coughing well but is on some fairly hefty antibiotics. He had swine flu with a particularly unusual form of pneumonia.

the DCs are both better although DD is still pale. I can talk properly again but still feel run over.

To top it all my DM dropped In This morning to say she’s been called back as a result of a breast cancer screen. Her lymph nodes are enlarged and she’s got to have an X-ray and blood test today. I’ve started another thread about that but if anyone has any experience of that I’d really appreciate any words of wisdom.

Good news about your husband but sorry about your mum. That's life for you ! Always waiting to trip you up. But just take it one day at a time x. Hope for good news for her .

You’re right Flapjack. I’m sure things like this cluster together. One day at a time and just keep on keeping on is the best I can do really.

So glad you DH is home safe and you are all on the mend.

That's rotten about your mum though. When does she expect her X-ray and blood results back?

Hi Sleepwarrior, she’s expecting the results back next Tuesday. I’ve offered to go with her but she’d rather go by herself. My dreams are just the most awful anxiety dreams ever. I’m trying to keep cats and children safe while they’re roaming about freely on a motorway was one of my dreams last night.

I’m so pleased your DH is home. And so sorry this has been followed swiftly by your mum’s news.

Somehow you’ll get through this. But be very easy on yourself right now. I remember when mum DS was in HDU and very ill, and it really affected me for a long time. Don’t ask too much of yourself right now.