One Step Up, Two Steps Back.

 


Yesterday Mike went to Lahey Clinic for a recheck on his back since his hospital stay. I was not able to go to this appointment. His sister took him but between the two of them, this is my understanding of how the appointment went.

The doctor he saw was not at all pleased with the care or lack there of that he received during his stay at Exeter Hospital. Exeter did not send his records, treatment notes or anything offering an understanding of the treatment he had received. The doctor at Lahey ordered a wet read X-ray, which they did immediately. The X-ray showed that his spine has not started healing yet, in fact it’s worse. He showed the doctor the brace that Exeter’s physical therapist insisted on him wearing and when Mike couldn’t, due to the pain and rigidness of the brace. The physical therapist said Mike refused treatment. The Lahey doctor said that Mike did not “refuse” treatment, he simply could not wear the brace because of the level of pain it caused. This doctor also said that Exeter consulted with him for advice on how to treat Mike due to his complicated health but they did not follow his advice. He also said he should not have started PT until approximately 12 weeks after the thoracic spine began to heal. 

The PT and wrong brace very likely caused his break to become more severe. The doctor compared Mike’s break to a broken tree branch. A broken tree branch creates a wound that if not addressed properly, can potentially weaken the tree impacting its over all health and survival. 

Mike now has to follow up with an MRI and CT scan. The doctor advised him if there are any new symptoms, numbness, pain or anything below the break, to get to the ER immediately and do his best not to not have any more falls as he is now at a much higher risk of paralysis.

This news is so disheartening to both of us. Although he has still been considered in serious condition here at home, he has tolerated dialysis fairly well and we are adjusting the best we can with our new normal. This news just causes more concern and stress. Mike is not the most graceful person, he is definitely a fall risk and to know the simplest accident or movement can cause him to become paralyzed is scary. He shared how discouraged he felt last night, that he thought going to Lahey, he knew he was starting his back recovery at a low spot, but the X-ray findings showed he’s actually starting at below zero, so to speak.

I really am trying to stay positive and hopeful, especially because I know how discouraged I feel, I can’t even imagine what he is feeling. I don’t want my discouragement to show, because I want to continue to be an encouragement to him. 

No matter what Satan throws at us, I will never not trust God’s plan whether I understand it or not. But even in trusting in him, I still can’t help but let the stress of all this get to me from time to time. I’m just tired!

I am replaying this quote and these scriptures in my head today: 

Don’t lose hope. When you are down to nothing, God is up to something.”

For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

We wait in hope for the lord; he is our help and our shield. Psalm 33:20

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