Our life change six weeks ago. I went to give Chris a sponge bath and I noticed that his ankles were smaller. He was having more bowl movements and just getting weaker. We both knew something had to change. He was not getting better at home. I remember making the calls to get us back to Houston. Dr Bailey agreed with me and a new plan had to take place.
I followed the ambulance down to Houston, really scared, not knowing what was going to happen. The hospital wasn't even prepared for us coming. The Dr hadn't sent orders over. We sat in the hallway of an emergency room with our 5 week old baby for over two hours to finally be put in a er room for an hour...waiting for Chris' dr. Chris' blood pressure was really low and heart beat high. We were both scared. We were finally taken up to a room...that was going to have another patient with us. I remember going to take to the nurses station to get my husband moved because he had a low immune system and we had our newborn there. They couldn't believe I had a newborn here and how could I bring a baby to a hosptial. I told them I didn't have a choice and that my husband was sick. I cried. Chris got moved to a single room that night.
That evening I met Dr. Bailey. I was not impressed. He wouldn't listen to a word Chris and I said. He didn't believe that Chris was going the bathroom more on tpn, that doesn't happen. He didn't believe us when we said Chris was bedridden. He belittled everything I said and I couldn't believe I was trusting this man with my husband's life. I was so scared. I left Chris that evening terrified of what was about to happen. I just had to trust this man who wouldn't listen to us.
The plan went forth...Chris was going to continue on tpn, eat as much as he could, start working with physical therapy, and start antibotics. He was running fevers and having chills. He had low blood pressure and high heart rate.
The weeks went on...we weren't ever really getting along with Dr. Bailey's team. They made me feel insecure and that I didn't know what was going on with my husband. I was the one who had been taking care of him and fighting for everything to happen. They didn't want to listen to a word I had to say. I felt small for the first time in this fight. I had been doing everything I could to help chris and to get him better.
Chris was having pain in his back a couple of weeks before we came to Houston...he thought he had pulled a muscle. But really he had fluids in his lung and an infection. Chris had to have surgery to insert three tubes on his side...this came out of nowhere. One day they say there was no infection and the next he is having surgery. No one prepared us for how things where going to be after and Chris' body reacted crazy and he spent a week in ICU and then had to go back a week later because they stirred things up causing high heart rate. He had an allergic reaction to one of the antbiotics causing him to turn bright red and itch everywhere. I hate antibiotics!! Finally he got over the lung infection but then he started to have tremors and shaking....another reaction to a breathing treatment. Nothing is ever easy.
Finally after getting tubes removed. Chris was starting to feel a little better. He started really doing well with therapy. He got a $100 dollar hair cut, got some color to his cheeks, and hubby was the best he had been in months. He was joking and even looking pretty hot!! I was so happy to see him doing so well. But then the real reason we where here was about to happen and I didn't want to see him bad again. I wanted to sneak him out and take him home. I wasn't ready for the pain, the recovery, and just seeing him in a recovery room again. We said prayer with each other the night before. We both were crying. I was putting all my trust in my Father in Heaven.
Surgery day came and I needed to be strong. Chris was calm and I was having freak outs. My husband is amazing and so strong. He is my best friend. I love him so much. I hate that he has to go through this and I wish I could do more for him. I walked with him down to get ready...all these people around us...hooking him up and asking questions. I just wanted to run away. My poor love. I didn't ever want this to come to this...They made us say good bye at a misletoe. We waited. I just wanted this to be a bad dream. Walking to see him afterwards...I didn't want to see. I didn't want to see him in pain anymore. Nothing prepares you for seeing your love one in so much pain and there was nothing I could do.
The days after are a blur. Chris was in a lot of pain. They didn't have any room in the ICU, so he was just in a recovery room with lots of people and a curtain around him. He had a great nurse watching over him and we even hugged saying good bye. Chris was able to be moved to a regular room after one day. Recovery has been so much better than I ever thought. Chris is in a lot of pain and it will take a long time to recover. We have a long road ahead and two more surgeries still. I trust my father in heaven.
So many prayers have been anwsered. We have been taken care of by our family and friends. Chris' body is healing. He is so strong. He is my love. I will help him everyday. I love him so much.
