And now what did you do TODAY?

[shellylh]

So here is the update, not really so good. He has diverticulitis and a pretty bad infection He also has a small "hole" in his color but it is only leaking air at this time. He is looking at 3-5 days in the hospital (he was admitted early this morning) if everything goes well (lots of antibiotics to kill the infection and no eating to let the bowel rest... just iv drip). A slightly worse possibility is that he has to have surgery (actually two surgeries) if the infection doesn't respond to the antibiotics. A much worse possibility is that it bursts.... yeah, that one is no good at all and I think that would put him at months in the hospital.

I am super tired since I got less than 2 hours sleep (even when I got home around 7am, I had trouble sleeping because I am a worrier).

As for the two events. He told a doctor over a week and a half ago about the abdominal pain (it must have been inflamed then) and the fevers. I think the fevers (since they were pretty high) must have been related to this. Unfortunately, THAT doctor said that he probably just the flu or some other virus and that he should get rest (they also brought up the idea of the singles). Somehow we were too focused on the pink eye and redness around the eye to pay much attention to the abdominal pain. Then I thought the abdominal pain was a side effect of valacyclovir he was on, so we were just going to wait until he was done taking it... that was dumb, I should've called a doctor about the prolonger abdominal pain earlier. Anyway, I guess it is possible that the diverticulitis could have weakened his immune system which led to the shingles, who knows though. At least we went to the emergency room last night, who knows what could have happened!

Thanks for all the support.

[Voltron]

You did all the right things under those circumstances Shelly, so just stick with the last part about making the move to the hospital in a timely manner. Surgery is no fun, but the people I know who had a resection have had very good results. My mom is too frail to have a high chance of survival but she would be much better off if she had been able to handle it. In a young healthy man diverticulitis should be treatable or corrected by surgery. We will keep thinking good thoughts out here and you should probably have a nice cocktail or two so you can relax and get some rest tonight. Doctor's orders!

[digger945]

I have thought about you both all day, and I'm relieved to know that it is something that is treatable. Yes, I am a worrier too.

[jvlgato]

Damn, that's really awful! Glad you went in last night. Keep us informed ... Now get some sleep, if you can.

[luvdunhill]

Shelly, I've gone through that exact sequence of events in the past, as has my father. Lemme know if I can help at all.

[Aimless1]

My brother-in-law just had surgery for his diverticulitis, and is doing better than ever. Wishing your husband the best!

[dsavitsk]

That sounds like no fun at all. Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

[mrarroyo]

Hope the best for your husband, specially a short hospital stay.

[morphsci]

Sorry to hear about the troubles Shelly but at least now the symptoms make sense and there is a course of treatment. Wishing you both the best.

[Salt Peanuts]

Here's hoping for speedy recovery for your husband, Shelly.

[Absorbine_Sr]

Thinking of you both Shelly. Get some rest.

[Iron_Dreamer]

Yikes, Shelly. I hope the best for both of you.

[skullguise]

Echo the same sentiments here, glad at least it's identified and treatable. Speedy recovery, and lots of rest for you both!

[Aura]

Wishing you and your husband the very best, Shelly.

[tyrion]

Shelly, so sorry to hear this but at least they caught it and he is being treated. Best wishes to Mr. Shelly. Get some reset, you are no good to your husband if you get sick yourself.

[shellylh]

Just wanted to say what a great and supportive group you all are! I am back from the hospital and going to try and get to sleep and get a bunch of rest. I have no clue what I am supposed to lecture on in my classes tomorrow morning but too bad.

[morphsci]

Extemporaneous lecturing is good for the soul (If you have tenure).

[manaox2]

Ugh, sounds horrible Shelly, wish your husband the best of luck with a safe and speedy recovery.

[dsavitsk]

Extemporaneous lecturing is good for the soul (If you have tenure).

I took a differential geometry class once, and I'm pretty sure it was all made up as the professor went along.

all the way with gauss bonnet

[morphsci]

I took a differential geometry class once, and I'm pretty sure it was all made up as the professor went along.

all the way with gauss bonnet

Sounds like a pain in the torus.

[swt61]

Hang in there Shelly. How could he not get better with someone like you in his corner? Get some rest, and we'll send get well vibes through the airways.

[raffy]

Sorry to hear about the turn of events Shelley but at least they now have an accurate diagnosis. Wishing a safe and speedy recovery to your husband. Hang in there, everything will be alright!

[agile_one]

Get well wishes headed to hubby, Shelly. My dad went through the same thing, and the surgery and recovery were tough, but outcome excellent. The past few days sound like hell for both of you. Sorry you went through it, but good that firm diagnosis and treatment plan is now at hand. Stay positive, and don't forget to take care of yourself.

[The Monkey]

Shelly, I'm so sorry to hear this news. I had the exact same thing and it is no fun at all. The good news is that he'll be ok. I'm going to send you a PM, but please let me know if you guys need anything.

[Dreadhead]

Sorry to hear about the problems Shelly and good luck to you and your husband.

We had our own trip to the ER over the weekend. We were lucky in that it turned out to be nothing but was worth the trip anyway.

Edited April 12, 2011 by Dreadhead