Hubby Update...

Hi everyone, I've already posted the following information to my Facebook, but realized that many of you don't follow over there, but would be interested in knowing the latest news about my hubby.

Argh! Not good news...or maybe it is! After waiting a couple of months for his AFO (Ankle Foot Orthotic) to arrive, it was very disappointing. It was designed to fit his leg and ankle as precisely as possible, and he had to buy and extra large shoe to accommodate the swelling in his foot and the AFO also. Well, it didn't work out for him. It actually hurt his ankle more than the boot does. It was very discouraging for him as he had a lot riding on that AFO.

He has made the decision that he just can't keep on with the constant pain and discomfort of wearing the boot and has opted to have the lower half of his leg amputated. The surgery will take place on October 26, just 2 1/2 weeks from now. Needless to say we've both been struggling with the outcome of the past 14 months, and that the need for the amputation has been moved up. We were hoping to wait until after the children left, one, so that I would have more time to devote to him, and two, to avoid the children having to experience such a drastic outcome. The little girls don't know what is going to happen, and don't even realize that he has such a bad leg. They just say that Grampy has a booboo! Then there's Jordan, and he well remembers that Bill was in the hospital twice just after they came to stay with us. We've talked to him as gently as possible about the leg having to come off so that Grampy can get better. He cried! So we continue to talk about it when it seems appropriate and not give him too many details.

The good news? There should be a quick recovery from the surgery and in about 3 weeks post OP, he will be fitted with a temporary prosthesis. He will be in outpatient rehab to learn how to walk on it, so he'll still be on crutches for a bit longer. After the swelling is completely down on his stump, he will be fitted with a permanent prosthesis. So we are both struggling a little with the decision to move the surgery up, still trying to work out the logistics of child care, but looking so forward to moving on with healing for Bill and an end to his constant pain!

I may not be doing too much blogging during the month of November, depending on how well things are going here at home. Thank you all for your continued support and prayers for us.

Blessings and hugs
Barb

Hubby Update - oh! What next??????

Yesterday was a really tough day for my dh. He thought he had the same tummy bug I had earlier in the week, but he was experiencing some severe pain near his sternum. It was so severe that he was in tears. When the second bout began in the evening, after the kids were in bed, we decided that he needed to go to the hospital. I'm so glad that we made that choice. Our wonderful neighbor took him to emergency while I stayed home with the children. I didn't hear anything from him all night so I called him at 7:30 this morning! The diagnosis? Hepatitis!! I can't believe that he is having to go through so much crud! At times I feel a little desperate, but then I know that the Lord will see us through and that all of this didn't take Him by surprise, so I walk on with increased trust. But I'm worn out! My blood pressure medicine has decided that it's going to wreak havoc with my body and consequently I've been taken off it until we find out just what the problem is.

My dear children gave me a spa treatment for Mother's Day and I can hardly wait for the opportunity to go in to get some pampering! ;-)

So that's it for now. I'm going to lie down for awhile while the children play outside and run off their energy. I will be back soon with more creative projects and pictures of the children.

Hugs,
Barb