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Original poster

Asking for a handhold - DH in ICU

988 replies

peachgreen · 04/09/2020 10:56

DH was taken into hospital last night with breathing difficulties. It was pretty minor, the paramedics weren't even going to take him in but we insisted. He's now in an induced coma on a ventilator. He's had 2 negative Covid tests so they don't think it's that but they don't know what it is.

I'm falling apart. He's my whole life. We have a 2 year old who is a complete Daddy's girl. I need him so much. I can't even be with him now because of COVID.

OP posts:
Original poster
peachgreen · 15/09/2020 22:57

They've put a cannula back in.

OP posts:
ArabellaScott · 15/09/2020 22:59

They love putting cannulas in. They'll put a cannula in a blooming orange if it sits still long enough.

Brew OP.

Original poster
peachgreen · 15/09/2020 23:01

❤️ Thank you @ArabellaScott, that did help!

OP posts:
WingingItSince1973 · 15/09/2020 23:21

I've been reading your posts and what progress your DH has made. I hope the raised temp can be sorted quickly. He sounds like he has a fab team with him. Just wanted to send you a virtual hug xxx

Original poster
peachgreen · 15/09/2020 23:41

Thank you @WingingItSince1973. They've assured me they're doing everything they need to, they've taken bloods to check for infection and will start him on IV antibiotics if needs be and results should be back in 4 hours. My friend has come round to stay so I have company. Just feel so sick, this rollercoaster is so horrendous.

OP posts:
WingingItSince1973 · 15/09/2020 23:48

Thats good you have company. I hope the iv gets to work and hes feeling much better tomorrow. It is a horrible time for you. I remember when my brother was in intensive care. Hugs and love xxx

30under · 16/09/2020 00:17

Flowers just read your thread. What a rollercoaster you have been through. Keep trying to get some rest, it looks like you are coping fabulously but it could be some time yet before your DH is home.
Rooting for you! Hope both your DD and dh recover quickly from infection.

jeff1965 · 16/09/2020 00:24

Thinking of you. It sounds like he's doing well and overcoming the knockbacks he's facing. Try and look after yourself as best as you can Thanks

Merriwicks · 16/09/2020 01:30

@peachgreen i have just read your whole thread and i can really relate. I was in your shoes experiencing the same with my dad 11 years ago. He was 48 at the time. His ejection fraction was 20. When he survived his first night in hospital drs were comomg by and saying wow you are still alive, he was moved to RVH for surgery and investigations (we are also NI) and there Drs were being called in to meet the man who survived. 11 years on he is doing great. Can cycle 15 miles plus, runs around after my kids. He has a difibulator fitted. He is on Entresto.
His recovery began by me taking him to Lidl and walking up and down the middle isles. Never thought we woild get to where we are today. There will be bumps, however, I class my dads doctors as super heros. Your dh will be getting the same super hero treatment. Hang in there, stay strong.

Original poster
peachgreen · 16/09/2020 06:17

Thank you so much everyone. @Merriwicks what wonderful news about your lovely Dad. Praying for similar outcomes! I feel very lucky to be in NI (I'm originally from London) as the care he's received here is better than any I've ever witnessed in English hospitals (absolutely no disparagment meant there to English NHS staff who are all wonderful, we just somehow seem to have more nursing staff here which makes such a difference!).

He was settled through the night and his bloods all came back negative so no infection. They're just waiting to do his obs to check his temperature this morning as he's still asleep! Still waiting for his COVID swab but they're confident it's negative. I had a horrendous night but am just glad to have got through it and now just focusing on seeing him later and hearing the results of his ICD fitting assessment meeting.

OP posts:
CormoranStrike · 16/09/2020 07:09

Keep on staying strong @peachgreen

Silene · 16/09/2020 08:13

won’t stop praying for you all till he’s home, and after that too.,! you are brilliant, so is he, and can tell you my husband had rheumatic fever as a young man, damaged heart valve, had triple bypass....20 years ago and still going strong. lots of meds but works hard, and it hasn’t stopped him having a pretty normal life. keep strong..not easy but you are already coping. 🥰💐everyone is different and unique but every day is a gAin.

AlternativePerspective · 16/09/2020 08:46

Cannulas are good. It makes it far easier for them to administer medication without constantly needing to give injections. And if he has an ICD fitted he will have a cannula in then as well so they may just leave this one in if they decide today that he’ll be having an ICD fitted before he’s discharged.

Original poster
peachgreen · 16/09/2020 11:33

They're now saying his ICD decision could be postponed until after he gets the MRI. And we have no date for the MRI. So that's at least another week. Honestly if I knew he was definitely going to get home I'd be totally fine with however long he needed to be in but right now every day is just torture. Argh. I know he's in the right place and it's good in the long run but aaaargh.

OP posts:
Lougle · 16/09/2020 11:44

It's so hard to be sitting and waiting. I hope the MRI comes quickly.

forgetthehousework · 16/09/2020 13:18

Yes, waiting is always bad - it's so hard to concentrate on actually doing anything and you literally jump every time the phone rings in case it's bad news!

Try to look after yourself my dear, and have a cry when you need to Flowers

forgetthehousework · 16/09/2020 20:21

Just popping back to hope you all have a quiet night. Thinking of you and praying for you.

Original poster
peachgreen · 16/09/2020 20:31

Thank you so much @forgetthehousework. Today was a better day (though I'm scared to say that because it was 11pm when things went wrong yesterday!) - they tweaked his medication a bit and his blood pressure was better with his heart rate down to 75-85 from 90+ yesterday. His MRI won't be until next Wednesday at the earliest and no date for his ICD implantation or whether or not he's definitely going to have one. But I'm trying to focus on the good stuff considering he's likely to be in for over a week yet and I can't cope feeling this anxious for that length of time!

OP posts:
captainprincess · 16/09/2020 21:30

Just to say I've been thinking of you on and off @peachgreen and this the first chance I've been able to come on today. Take care of yourself.

giletrouge · 17/09/2020 09:56

Hello peach I was on the thread much earlier and then stopped posting but didn't stop following. Just sending huge best wishes to you all. Hope you - and your DH obviously - had a better night last night.

Original poster
peachgreen · 17/09/2020 10:08

Thank you so much @captainprincess and @giletrouge. He slept well and his numbers are looking good again. Would love to get some news today on his MRI or ICD but we'll see! I managed to sleep until 4.30 and then again from 5.30 to about 8 which was amazing.

OP posts:
Kisskiss · 17/09/2020 10:18

My mum had Heart function of 22% and we were all panicking, but medication and daily light exercise ( 1hr walk) brought it back to 48 % in 6 months ... And she’s a lot older ( and had other chronic problems) so it’s a miracle what medication and therapy can do . All the best

ArabellaScott · 17/09/2020 12:12

Glad you had a good night, OP. Take care.

Original poster
peachgreen · 17/09/2020 13:29

They're now saying no ICD (eek, pretty sure I'm going to spend the rest of my life panicking that he's about to have a cardiac event) and MRI next week, no release until his meds are at full dosage and he's stable on them. Which makes sense. But is a bit disappointing. But I know he's in the right place.

OP posts:
justasking111 · 17/09/2020 13:32

@peachgreen your husbands condition is an evolving one there is no quick fix. They are watching him day by day and adjusting their professional opinions based on this. I thought the worst for my friend as did her family at the beginning it was a terrifying time. Fast forward four years and she is doing great. There have been many adjustments along the way.