Sorry for the long silence. I have been in the Bay Area sitting by my husband's side at the hospital, without a computer or other way to blog.
Things have not gone in the way we had hoped. My husband has been in a lot of pain for the past month due to several badly compressed discs in his lower back. He had surgery scheduled, but while he was waiting for the surgery date to arrive his condition started to deteriorate dramatically. In about three weeks time he went from walking on his own (although in pain), to walking with a cane, then walking with two canes, then needing a walker, and then last Monday (one day before his surgery), he could not walk at all.
I had to rush out to our local CVS and purchase a wheelchair, then call my winemaker son in law to come help me get him into the car as I could not manage on my own. I drove down to the Bay Area straight to the doctor's office, where we were directed to go immediately to the emergency room. There, he was admitted to the hospital to wait until his surgery.
The surgery went as desired, with the compressed discs being corrected. They had been bulging and rubbing up against the bones in his spinal cord, which damaged the nerves there. As a result, he lost the ability to walk. At this point, going on a week post-surgery he is still unable to stand or walk.
The doctor and other professionals (occupational and physical therapists) are optimistic that he will walk again, after intensive acute rehabilitation therapy. This could take as long as a month. Nerves heal slowly and he is essentially going to have to relearn how to walk.
You can imagine how frightening and depressing this situation is. You have all been so generous in sending your good wishes, positive thoughts and prayers. I am enormously grateful for that. Don't stop now, lol.
We are hoping that early next week a bed will open up in an acute rehab center about an hour away from us. There, as an inpatient, he will have three hours of intensive therapy a day, which we pray will get him on his feet again.
Archie has been super stressed and confused. He did not do well at all at the boarding kennel and had to be sedated he was so agitated. Fortunately, I have found a local woman who does doggie care in her home, both overnight and as a day care service. Next week as we get Dennis settled into the rehab place Archie may have to stay with her a couple of nights. It's a much less stressful environment, in that it is in a home and he will have other dogs to play with. After that, if I visit my husband a couple of times a week, he can stay with her on a daycare only basis.
In other news, my house is painted and has a new roof. I had to come home Friday afternoon to pay the workmen and get Archie out of jail, and had a very restful Saturday puttering around the house putting things to rights. We left in such a hurry to go to the hospital I left everything topsy turvy.
I am going back to the hospital Sunday afternoon and hope that we are able to transfer my husband to the new place Monday or Tuesday.
Thanks for bearing with me, and I will try to keep you updated.
48 Responses
May God bless you and keep you. Sending up prayers for you and Dennis as you navigate this chapter. It is so scary when dealing with the spine, but I too believe that healing will come. Happy the surgery was a success. I can’t believe all that you were juggling. Be good to yourself.
Hope Dennis gets moved to the care facility soon and gets the much needed rehabilitation. Take care of yourself too. It’s so hard watching our loved ones suffer. My neighbor who is in her 70’s does dog sitting. She does overnights at the dog’s home and stays really busy doing it. She loves all dogs. I wish you could find someone to stay with Archie. Glad your roof is done and the house is painted. Two less things to worry about. Hugs and prayers.
Nicole, my prayers are with you and Dennis. And even little Archie! Your family is going through so much right now. May you find your inner strength to help yourself and everyone else get through this. Be kind to yourself and rest when you can. Sending love, hugs and hope for Dennis’s speedy recovery.❤️
I’m praying for your situation; I’ve walked a similar road, and it’s not easy without support of friends and family with you. Hang in there; it’ll be ok.
So sorry to hear of your struggles. Sending support, hugs and healing thoughts to you and your family.
So sorry for all you have been through. My husband has a bad back too and actually ruptured his disks years ago. So terrifying as he had numbness down his legs. As he healed, he actually was incredibly improved! He has less issues than he ever had. I’m hoping and praying that your husband will have the same experience.
At least your house is done. It would be excruciating to be sick and have roofers working. Even the disarray from the painters would be intolerable. It will be so nice for your husband to come home to a quiet,restful environment. Archie will love it too!
Best wishes!
Sending lots of prayers and healing thoughts your way.
Prayers for your husband and you!
Oh, Nicole, I am so sorry to hear about this. Praying for you and Dennis!
Prayers for Dennis, you and little Archie.
I am so sorry to hear it didn’t go as planned, but I am confident God hears our prayers. I will continue to pray for all the circumstances you are experiencing. Care giving is exhausting too. Blessings for all.
Yes, praying for healing and rest for all. 🥰
🙏❤️🙏
Best wishes for your husband to get back to health. Acute rehab will be hard work (speaking from recent experience) but it’s just what he needs. Think positive–nerves do heal but that healing may be ever so slowly. Good luck to you both.
Hugs and prayers
I’m so sorry to hear about Dennis. I’m glad they were able to perform the surgery and I hope his rehab gets him back up on his feet again. How scary for both of you. Sending prayers and hugs to you both.
So sorry to hear about Dennis. My thoughts and prayers are with you both. Take care of yourself, too, so you can be strong for him.
Oh Nicole! I am so sorry. I have been having back issues and it is no fun. But nothing as extreme as your husband. I will pray for both of you! ♥️♥️♥️
So sorry to hear about your husband’s painful situation. Bless you and his caregivers.
Praying for a successful and speedy recovery and rehabilitation for your husband. Please take good care of yourself as well….sending you cyber hugs!!!
Oh Nicole, I’m so sorry things are not going as hoped. Pop in as you can with updates and you know I’ll be here praying furiously for you and Dennis. Sending you warm hugs! ❤️
It was nice of you to take the time to let us know how things were going. You and your whole family have my prayers. I’m doing PT now for bulging discs. It is a scary place to have nerve damage and surgery, but it sounds like you have a good prognosis.
Sending you both Hugs and Good Wishes.
This must be so scary and stressful for both of you (and Archie too!).
It’s really great to hear that the doctors and therapists have a positive outlook on the future for your husband..
May he be both pain-free and walking again soon!
Take care!
Having gone through similar caregiver situations, I am so happy you had Saturday to rest. You need to allow yourself some R&R from time to time so that you have the energy to keep caring for your husband. Please try to take the process a day at a time – I know it’s hard but really the best way to keep your sanity and health. You have a very loyal following and we all care so much about you and your family. Hope you feel all the long distance support and prayers coming your way.
Nicole, My positive thoughts and more importantly my prayers are with Dennis, you and your family during this time. I know that God hears and answers our prayers. Take care and stay strong. ❤️🙏🙏❤️
Oh, what a scary turn of events! Hoping the therapy will progress smoothly and uneventfully and your husband will be back on his feet. So sorry to hear about Archie’s stressful time. May you all return to normal routine soon. 🌻
Knowing that surgery was scheduled last Wednesday, you & your husband have been on my mind. When I saw the ‘Hope’ photo on your blog this morning I was almost afraid to read anything more. It does sound like you’ve got a plan in place for his rehab which is hopeful news! Please remember to take care of yourself. I was glad to read that you spent Saturday at home. Archie will be much happier at the dog sitter’s & one less thing for you to worry about. Sending good thoughts your way today. 💕💕
I’m in tears about your horrible news. Your heart must be in shatters. May God comfort your heart and keep you steady in this storm. I’ll keep praying for you and Dennis and Archie, too.
Nicole, I am sorry to read about the problems that you Dennis and Archie are going through. I will definitely keep you all in my prayers. Please take care of yourself. Dennis and Archie really need you. Don’t worry about your blog. We will all be here whenever you are able to post.
Hope you get all good news! Take care.
Praying for all of you. even Archie. grateful to hear the therapist is optimistic about rehab. let me know if I can help.
sometimes people don’t think to offer their help. if you need something, be specific and say, “can you do this for me?” you may even need to do it with family.
just having someone to have lunch or dinner with or a good cry can really help.
maybe a neighbor would be delighted to have Archie stay with them during the day? you never know.
I’m praying for all of you.
Oh my gosh Nicole your plate is more than full! What a worry for you and your family! I hope you take time and look after yourself! You will be no good for Dennis and the rest of your family if you don’t. Sounds like Dennis is in good hands. Love and hugs to you all!💕
I’m keeping you in my prayers!
My prayers and good wishes go to you from Romania. I have been reading your blog almost from when you started it, so it feels almost like family, or good friends. Please remain healthful, both of you.
Prayers for a speedy recovery for your husband. I have never posted before but have followed your blog for so many years. You have never given me a bad book recommendation! Take care
I am so sorry to hear about your troubles, Nicole. I am holding every good thought that Dennis will make excellent progress through this time-consuming and stressful process. Sending big hugs to you both.
I’m very sorry your husband experienced such pain, and I hope and pray he has a complete recovery from his surgery. My prayers for you and all your family, too, during this very stressful time. Remember, a lot of people are holding you in their thoughts and prayers.
Let me add a prayer and good vibes to the list of well wishers.
Oh my goodness Nicole. What a week! The good news is the completion of the roof and painting. You did not need to come home for more of that.
The additional good news is that Dennis could have the surgery. My best healing prayers for Dennis will continuing. Rehab is hard so sending courage and tenacity prayers as well.
Please remember to take good care of yourself too. My heart hurts for you and Archie. Hopefully the woman you found will be a good answer for both of you. Sending hugs <3
Sending prayers for you and your husband. Glad the surgery repaired the discs. Praying for your husband to heal and regain his ability to walk. Praying for you to get the rest you need and Archie to feel safe.
Nicole, sending huge prayers for Dennis to be completely healed and rest for you. I was worried when you hadn’t posted and I so enjoy your blog. You’ve really got your hands full, and poor Archie❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Hope you got good news today! Take care!
Certainly was hoping for good news for you. So sorry the three of you are so affected, in your individual ways.
Keeping healing prayers for you and dh..it is scary to have such tough medical issues. Take care of yourself as you are by his side recovering. Big hugs too you.
Oh my goodness. So sorry for all of you. Thank you for letting us know.
Vickie
Oh Nicole, what a scary and stressful time you have had! I’m glad to hear that Dennis came through the surgery well, and am hoping and praying that his recuperation and rehabilitation will go smoothly. It will no doubt be a tough rehabilitation, but I’m praying that it will yield fantastic results!
I am so sorry to hear about Dennis. My thoughts and prayers are with you both.
So sorry you are going through all this especially with the construction and poor Archie not to mention your husband. Will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.