Sunday, November 10, 2013

He's here. But not home.

I got a call from my husband about 2. He was at his truck parking spot where he parks his big truck and gets in his pick up truck to go home. He said he didn't think he could make it home. He was shaking like a leaf and felt sick. So I called both daughters, who live just a few minutes from where he parks and could be there faster than me, 20 miles away.

So they got him and were going to take him to Urgent Care in Ft. O. We all got there and they sent him straight on to the ER. They were waiting for him. Went right in an ER room. He had a fever and had thrown up before they got there. Really weak. Could hardly walk.

Quite graphic here. So sorry.

While I was taking care of business, he was getting into a hospital gown. When I walked in the room, his feet were right there. And I almost passed out when I saw them. He had told me over the phone he had blisters on his legs. I was not prepared for what I saw. His left ankle on the inside was totally raw. The bottom half was red and the top part was green. Not a good thing.

Then his right ankle did have a big blister. But the outside at the ankle was red and raw. Skin off. Horrible. I was not prepared for this at all. But I made it. They came and did blood work and EKG and all that stuff. Put the IV needle in his hand. Gave him a bag of antibiotic. After 4 hours, moved him up to a room.

Doctor came in. Asked a bunch of questions, trying to figure out what happened and when. They will clean his feet and wrap them tonight. Do more tests and blood work and all that. He had a good dinner and ate everything on the plate. He looked really good when I left.

So, he is going to call his boss in the morning and tell him what's going on. I hope I can wait til they come get the truck to have help to get all his things out. It takes hours to do it alone. So I hope they will just come get the trailer and leave the truck for a few days.

I have no idea how long he'll be in the hospital. But we both think he won't be going out in that truck again. I just hope he doesn't lose a foot from this. I don't think he will, but it's possible.

I have a wonderful friend right up the road who came and gathered eggs and let my dogs out and fed them. And locked up the chickens. And she swept the house and straightened up for me. She even left the porch light on. And got cat food because I was out. She's a great friend. Her name is Stephanie. I really appreciate her. And all I have to do is call and there she is to help. I am so thankful for her.

So please, send up a prayer for him. He will need it. He is in good hands there. I really didn't want him to go to this particular hospital. It's where my step dad was for 3 weeks. And he died there. So there are a lot of memories there. And Tiny is right down the hall from his room and the ICU. It was hard for my mom to be there tonight. The first time going back there. I didn't think I'd have to go back there this soon.

PS. I AM thankful that he made it home. And that he IS here so close. 5 years ago, he had something horrible happen to him in Memphis, Tn. and was in the hospital there for 8 days. He almost died. It was SO far away from home. No one came to see him. So he's here, where his family and friends are now. And I am close too.

On his way home!

He's on his way home! Almost here. And the family is coming to dinner! I hope we are able to get the wood stove hooked up too, while he's here. We may be in for some snow later this week. And really cold temps. Not ready for this! I still have to winterize all the coops and barns. UGH!

Day 9 and 10: My husband. Again.


I missed yesterday because it was a busy day. There is a camp up the road from here called Camp New Dawn. They have a few fund raisers a year. Yesterday was the turkey shoot. I went and set up my booth to sell soap and jelly. I did pretty good. I bartered 2 hours of horse riding lessons for soap and plantain slave. I think I am excited about that. I told Mindy I want an OLD slow horse. I am too old to fall off and break something. Also bartered for a nice handmade wooden milking stool! Really love it. It's the perfect height and is smooth, unlike the old bucket I have used for years. And it was SO cold! I could not get warm there and for the rest of the day. This sunrise was yesterday morning.

And today, I am having a hard time being thankful for much. My husband is in Atlanta this morning and hasn't been dispatched. He's supposed to be home right now. I am so not liking this company he works for. They keep him out for weeks and weeks at a time. And they are supposed to get their drivers home at least every other weekend. But do they let my husband come home? NO. And he just goes along with it.

And he is diabetic. Sometimes he's even run out of his meds. For days. This has happened several times. Not good for a diabetic. And now, he has water blisters on both legs. He's worried about this. He had one for a few days. Then he called last night and has another on the other leg now. I looked it up. It can be caused by heart problems and by up and down blood sugar levels. He's already had to have a stint put in his heart, about 8 years ago. And he cannot get his levels to go low enough.

I bought some 100% pure aloe gel and some fresh Turmeric. I love this stuff. I make a paste and put it on wounds. I have used it on my foot when I stepped on a nail. Bubba tore up a duck once and ripped off the whole back. It lived, amazingly. But looked awful. I mixed up a bunch of the paste and slathered it on the duck's back for several days. It got better and lived a few more years. I have also used it on my husband when he had a diabetic ulcer on his foot. Nothing else worked but this did. I use it on all the animals if there is any cuts or wounds on them.

So when he gets home, this is what we will do. Then if he can get to our favorite doctor tomorrow, he might need antibiotics, which couldn't hurt at this point. But he is so worried right now. And he needs to tell these people he needs to get home right now. He's such a nice guy and they know it and take advantage of him so much. But I guess we are both thankful he has a job and can still work. He will be retiring his next birthday next May. IF they haven't changed the laws or anything by then.

I'm sorry this is so long. I am just looking for something to be thankful for here. I think it's my husband again. Just the fact that he's as healthy as he is for being in the shape he's in is a miracle in itself and I am very thankful he can walk! He's the best husband I could have ever asked for. I just need him to get home so I can take care of him right now.