Author: Dackel Princess

We got back from the doctor’s about 4:30. What a grueling time it was. The doctor decided to take another sample of fluid from the knee to check for infection. A quick lab result would indicate if he needed IV antibiotics. The longer term test will show us any big or small infection. What the short term test showed was an increase of white cells, but not over the top. So Hubby is home where he can continue treatment here. They aspirated 30 cc’s of this thick fluid from the knee. It didn’t really look like blood, more like Welches Grape Juice, but very thick. When I saw them draining fluid from the knee I realized what he has going on in there, and it isn’t good, but at least they drained some of the fluid and we will know on Monday if there is any further infection going on. The doctor said there was a lot more in there, but due to the thickness he didn’t attempt to get any more out. As it was, my guy was very brave. All this was done with very long needles and no Novocaine! He also changed Hubby’s pain medication because the other stuff had not given him any relief.
We were there for 2 1/2 hours and by the time we started home he was in a lot of pain, so I stopped at the closest pharmacy and filled his prescription. He popped a pill and got relief fairly quickly.
The doctor once again reminded us that Hubby’s operation was not a simple knee replacement, but very complicated. Hubby also needs to rest and DO NOTHING for a few days to allow the swelling in the knee to go down. They put him in a knee immobilizer.
So once again we are both wiped out, but at least we feel a little more reassured about what’s going on. I think I’ll keep Hubby very, very quiet over the weekend. So I’ll have to call the dancing girls and tell them not to come! 😉

It looks like a nice day for a 55 mile ride to Dartmouth/Hitchcock Medical Center. It’ll take us just over an hour and fifteen minutes. The roads are bad right now with frost heaves, but I’ll go a bit slower and hopefully that will be slightly less jarring. We all slept better last night, so perhaps if we can get the hematoma on Hubby’s knee drained and the pain under control, things will start to look up.

We have a noon-time appointment with Hubby’s surgeon. His knee is looking worse, the fever is still over 100. and he is really ill. The Physical Therapist and the Visiting Nurse both advised this appointment, so we are going. Frankly, I will be glad to go, as I have been very upset by Hubby’s lack of progress or return to health. It’s been over a week and it’s time for him to feel better.
Once again, I will post the pictures in the extended entry.

Continue reading “The Long And Winding Road”

I just got Hubby settled again. He is not improving. Today the Visiting Nurse will be coming and I am going to have her really go over him. Unfortunately she does not inspire great confidence, but she can do all the vital signs and can report back to the doctor what she sees. I am actually nearly ready to put him in the car and drive him across the state to the doctor’s office and see what he says about things. I just hate the thought of Hubby enduring the ride over and back. The roads between our home and the medical center are just one long carpet of frost heaves. However, his condition worries me so much that I think this may be something that must be done.

Last night I went to bed at 8:30 and slept until 1:30 when Greta wanted to go out, then we checked on Hubby, took his temperature and then went back to bed. I then slept until 6:15! This was so good. I really needed the sleep.
I don’t think Hubby is much better this morning. He still has a high fever and is in a lot of pain. He doesn’t have much of an appetite, although yesterday he did enjoy my blueberry muffins, and I gave him more of those again at breakfast.
I have finally gotten Hubby’s blood sugar down and I am happy about that. I do wish his fever and pain levels would fall, and that he would feel better. I worry so much about him.
My knee is very sore since Fritz knocked me down. Hubby says I should wear a knee brace on it. I think I should listen to him. After all he is the Knee man in this house!
I set up the old laptop in the guest room and installed Hubby’s e-mail address on it, so he can get all his e-mail and also browse the Internet while he is in bed. He’s looked at it some, but mostly he just wants to sleep.
It’s snowing here today! Go figure. It wasn’t even forecast for the area.
Come on! I just want warmth and sunshine!

Hubby isn’t doing very well. His fever has been going up and down and up and down. Each time it goes down I start to feel encouraged, then it goes back up and I start to worry all over again.
He is weak as a kitten and not eating very well. Try as I might I cannot seem to relax. I just want to have him get well and feel better.
I changed his dressings today and I didn’t like the looks of things. So we went over the list of RED FLAGS the doctor gave us. Fever, chills, swelling, redness and discharge from the wound. We had four of the five so Hubby called and the doctor called him back. He told Hubby to chill out totally for the next 24 hours and he would call him in the morning. We are all worried that it’s a more serious infection than originally thought.
So Hubby is asleep, wrapped in a pile of blankets. I keep taking his temperature and making him drink. Right now, it’s about all I can do. I really hope they do not have to put him back in the hospital.

The Stone Mason began to dismantle the fireplace today. They took away a few stones and immediately began to find the faulty workmanship that has lead to the cracking of the stones and mortar. We’re so lucky to have found S. He is a great mason and such a nice guy.

Well, keep your fingers crossed for Hubby. The poor guy has been through enough. Time for the antibiotics to work and for him to feel better!

Okay, so what happened to the old adage, “Nice guys finish first?” Or at least don’t get run down, while trying to be a good guy!
My day started at 6 this morning, running back and forth from the kitchen to the guest room, getting everything that Hubby needs. It was actually 8 o’clock before I had my first sip of coffee, and then I set down my cup and forgot where I’d put it until much later when it was stone cold.
The stone mason came today to bring supplies. We have to have a large portion of our fireplace ripped out and rebuilt due to faulty workmanship. This will require a lot of jack hammering to remove the stone on the front.
The visiting nurse arrived at lunchtime and proceeded to just about kill Hubby trying to get a blood sample. It was supposed to be an easy procedure with a simple stab of the finger, but after three attempts and failures, Hubby opted for an old fashioned blood test.
Next came my foray to the Post Office in the rain. I don’t melt, so this is not really a problem, but having a lady drive by my very fast and splash me, was a problem, and I felt quite put upon.
When the Physical Therapist arrived I started down the hallway to open the door when I was knocked down by Mr. Fritz! Right down onto my left knee! If I could have reached that darn dog, I would have…….. well, never mind now, he is very fast (lucky for him!).
The Physical Therapist arrived at dinner time and did her assessment of Hubby’s abilities. She examined our shower (why, oh why, didn’t I clean the shower this morning?) measured Hubby’s flexibility (nil), before making another appointment for tomorrow.
I served up the home made chicken soup I’d been working on all day and now I am just sitting here doing nothing for a while.
Hmmm, that’s so nice!