OP
Thanks, guys. I really do appreciate the kind words. Yeah, it's been a life altering experience and it sure has a way of rearranging priorities in a rather sudden fashion.
When she was at her worst, I had to have a conversation with the kids (all adults, but still...) that I may be faced with the difficult decision about whether or not to continue measures to keep her alive. Thank God, it never came to that, but I had to think about it.
The entire situation was made more difficult because she had fluid in her lungs from the heart issue. In fact, the first hospital thought she had a severe case of pneumonia. It turns out she wasn't actually sick from anything that would cause pneumonia; the fluid build-up was a result of the leaking heart valve.
The last few weeks have been filled with hospital visits, getting meds from the pharmacy, and just taking care of my wife, while still holding down a full-time job. She still gets weak and fatigued very quickly and still experiences pain both from the surgery and from the IVs she got. Her right arm actually bothers her more than the incision site. They may have jabbed a needle in a way that affected the carpal tunnel surgery she had a few years back.
I'm gradually getting back into music. The band has been very understanding. I've missed some practices, but that's about all.
Again, thank you all for the kind words and support.
When she was at her worst, I had to have a conversation with the kids (all adults, but still...) that I may be faced with the difficult decision about whether or not to continue measures to keep her alive. Thank God, it never came to that, but I had to think about it.
The entire situation was made more difficult because she had fluid in her lungs from the heart issue. In fact, the first hospital thought she had a severe case of pneumonia. It turns out she wasn't actually sick from anything that would cause pneumonia; the fluid build-up was a result of the leaking heart valve.
The last few weeks have been filled with hospital visits, getting meds from the pharmacy, and just taking care of my wife, while still holding down a full-time job. She still gets weak and fatigued very quickly and still experiences pain both from the surgery and from the IVs she got. Her right arm actually bothers her more than the incision site. They may have jabbed a needle in a way that affected the carpal tunnel surgery she had a few years back.
I'm gradually getting back into music. The band has been very understanding. I've missed some practices, but that's about all.
Again, thank you all for the kind words and support.