I bet your spouse/SO isn't as stubborn as mine

last year

last modified: last year

I haven't been online because it's been a hectic past few weeks and just when I think I can relax, THIS happened.

Let me preface this that DH has congestive heart failure which never goes a way, but he's been great!

You know I'm long winded, so bow out now if you're already bored.

Last Sunday, Day 1. DH woke up with a 102 temp. He said during the night he had awful chills so his temp was probably higher. Seriously extremely fatigued. Understatement there Sore throat, cough with congestion but not coughing a lot. DS1 gave us a Covid test and DH tested positive. I messed up the 2nd test so I have no idea if I have Covid or not. He wouldn't eat a bite of food but drank water all day.

FTR, DH is fully vaxxed.

Monday, Day 2. Fever again, and weak as a baby. I lectured him about how he has to eat or he won't get strong, so he ate a half of a fruit cup. I also told him a million times do NOT overdo it. While I was reading in the bedroom I went to check on him & he was sitting on his office chair. He said "didn't you hear me calling you, I collapsed and laid there for 20 minutes." As I was helping him go back to his recliner, everyone needs a recliner, he didn't have the strength to stand up. I called DS who is close by and we both had to help him to the car and DS took him to the ER. I didn't go because of Covid, I was exposed. Because of his CHF they did a ton of tests and he was good, but they told him not to overdo it and sent him home. DH told me he wished that they'd admitted him. He got his wish.

Get this. While he was in the ER, I took every hardback chair and made a chain of them from the LR to the DR, which is next to the kitchen and bathroom, just in case he gets tired.

Tuesday, Day 3. Still extremely fatigued, feverish, etc. He finally drank two Boosts a few hours apart. I swear by Boost when we're sick. He got a little energy back & was able to walk. I was less worried, until I heard a bad moaning coming from the patio. I ran out the back door and there he was, on the rock walkway right next to a flowerbed lined with hard wood. He had a nickel size scrape on his forehead which took the skin off. He was fine until he turned around to go back inside and collapsed. I had to bring a patio chair to him and it took five minutes for me to help him sit in it. Then I made a chain of chairs leading to the back door, and a chair for him to sit in as soon as he got inside. It took 15 minutes for him to move ten feet from his fall to the back door. He had a bump on his forehead but it wasn't bad. I cleaned the wound.

I asked if he was okay and he put his hand to his heart and said he's getting sharp pains there. I called 911 immediately. That was 9 pm. The EMT's sent a picture of his heart to the hospital and it looked fine, but they wanted to see him anyway. DH told my son and I to stay home because he doesn't know if they'll admit him or send him to the city, or let him go home.

Around 10:30 he called and said "I really don't understand what they're talking about but I have air outside of my left lung. His lung collapsed is what I told him. This is a small, rural hospital and I'm really proud of them. They did emergency surgery to insert a tube to get the air out of his chest, and immediately took him by ambulance to the city around 2am. He's in ICU.

Today he got out of bed for the first time & took a short walk with the nurse & was able to sit in a chair. It made him so tired he slept all afternoon. His voice was much better. He should be there through the weekend, and they have to take the tube out before he comes home, IF his lung is okay.

So, I dare you to top this story of living with the most stubborn human being on Earth. All day I kept thinking of drawing a Where's Waldo page, with Waldo being DH, and he'll be lying on the ground somewhere, and you have to find him. :)

Featured Answer

Kswl

last year

last modified: last year

Oakley, I am very sorry your husband is sick and in the hospital and I hope he recovers quickly and fully.

I am so thankful your DH was fully vaxxed. As I recall he has been undergoing treatment for cancer, and in this immunocompromised state if he hadn’t been vaccinated he might have died before he was able to get to the hospital. So, well done vaccines! Still very scary for both of you though.

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Comments (45)

DLM2000-GW
last year
I am married to a stubborn man but I would not even TRY to top that! Good grief Oakley - what an ordeal for both of you - I certainly hope he's on the mend and getting good care (sounds like he is) and that YOU stay healthy.
orchidrain
last year
Gosh, what luck! Sounds like he's been through the wringer. I hope he is on the mend and you can relax a little. I know what you mean about stubbornness though....is it a man thing?
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msmeow
last year
Oakley, I hope you are getting some rest! And that DH is better soon.

Mine is also very stubborn about medical stuff, but he does know when he needs the ER, like when he needed stitches (2 separate occasions) and whe he broke his hand. :)

Donna
Zalco/bring back Sophie!
last year
Oakley! I am glad your husband is on the mend. I am sorry he went through such an ordeal.
Bestyears
last year
Oh, boy, I opened this post fully intending to top anything you had to say, but nope, you win. Wow. Hope your husband fully recovers without any further fanfare!
Olychick
last year
Oh, that‘s got to be really hard, I’m sure, and worrisome, and scary for all of you. I hope he recovers quickly and takes it easy for a while. And hopefully you won’t get it.
Funkyart
last year
Oh boy-- I sure hope the rest of his recovery is fast and uneventful. Take care of yourself and good wishes for your DH's continued recovery!
Jilly
last year
How awful for you both! I’m so sorry this all happened and hope your DH recovers well. I also hope you don’t get sick.

It’s stressful, I know, please try to rest as much as you can. Hugs to you two! ❤️
Feathers11
last year
Best wishes for your DH’s recovery, and peace and rest for you.
Springroz
last year
Oh, I have only the best wishes for you and prayers of healing for DH!
happy2b…gw
last year
You and your husband have had quite a week. Hopefully, your husband will continue to make progress. Your coping skills and resourcefulness amaze me. I never would have thought of lining up the chairs. How are you feeling besides exhausted from worry?
mtnrdredux_gw
last year
I'm so sorry Oak, I hope he recovers quickly.
Oakley
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Kswl, I never thought of that. Thank you!

Best, LOL!!!

I've had so much to do along with ordering groceries, going to the vet, & cleaning, I haven't had time to worry, and I'm good at compartmentalizing because I know he's getting good help, unless he stands up with no one there and falls down.

DH has been warned that he'll be receiving a good Grandma Walton speech when he gets home. :)
jill302
last year
Hoping your DH is home soon, and that you are able to rest and recover in the meantime.
terezosa / terriks
last year
last modified: last year
I'm sorry that you are going through another health crisis with your DH.

Don't forget to take care of yourself!
OutsidePlaying
last year
^^^yes, be sure to take care of yourself, Oakley. Goodness what an ordeal you have been through with your DH. I hooe you don’t come down with Covid, so take it easy. And no, I cannot begin to top this. Hope your DH is much better soon.
User
last year
I am glad that your DH is getting the care he needs. Please take care of yourself too.
roarah
last year
I hope you husband continues to improve and i hope he has a full recovery.

In my opinion vaccines were always only developed to prevent death not infection and the data shows this to be true.
salonva
last year
Sorry for what you've been through. Rest up while he is in the hospital and take good care of yourself so you can be ready for his return.

We haven't had anything like that recently, but yeah, I could tell you some stories about DH with medical events and being beyond stubborn.
Allison0704
last year
Glad DH is receiving good care. Hopefully you are getting some much needed rest while he is away.
Oakley
Original Author
last year
Roarah, I deleted the comment about vaccines above because I don't want anyone to go by what I said.

Today my wish is the phone doesn't ring, unless it's DH or DS. I know the hospital will give us extensive instructions but I still need to read up on recuperating from a collapsed lung.
nini804
last year
I hope your dh is home and well soon! 🌸
Annie Deighnaugh
last year
Oh brother, Oakley, no I can't top that story for sure! What an ordeal. I hope you are able to get some rest at home while he's in hospital. Sounds like you're going to need it for when he gets home again. I'm glad he's where he needs to be and maybe the nurses can keep him from overdoing it, at least for a little while. I hope he's better very soon and wish you strength, courage, patience and persistence as you go through this tough time.
maddielee
last year
I‘m so sorry, I hope his recovery is swift.
czarinalex
last year
It's good he is getting the help he needs. Best wishes for a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself as well!
Bunny
last year
I hope your husband is on the road to recovery and home soon.
dedtired
last year
What an ordeal! Im glad your son is nearby and able to help. I dont know what Id do if my son were not close, although I do everything I can not to infringe on him. I hope hubs has learned his lesson and will be more cooperative in the future. Doubtful, ;)
Tina Marie
last year
last modified: last year
My goodness! Your husband has really been through it! I am very familiar with CHF as my dear daddy had that. He passed away 3 years ago. I'm amazed at what your husband can do as CHF takes every bit of energy. To have CHF and cancer, he has really had a hard time. Was he given the Paxlovid after being diagnosed?

That vaccine more than likely kept him alive. He is very lucky and I hope he is feeling better very soon.
Ally De
last year
That sounds like a rough couple days Oakley. I hope you both bounce back from here!
pudgeder
last year
Gracious sakes! Glad your husband is getting good care! Take care of you as well!
1929Spanish-GW
last year
Sending good thoughts for a speedy recovery!
deegw
last year
What an ordeal! Sending wishes for a speedy and calm recovery for DH.
teeda
last year
Oh wow, what a week. So good that he has you to deal so effectively in these situations. I hope he continues recovering and gets home quickly. In the meantime please try to get yourself a little rest!
l pinkmountain
last year
I totally feel your pain Oakley. My Dad has congestive heart failure, and it depresses him to have to have limits. I try to get him to focus on what he can do, but it's an uphill battle. He is also super stubborn and does stuff he isn't supposed to do and if and when he does go, I'm sure his cause of death will be stubbornness.

That said, it doesn't help you! I am so sorry you are having to go through this. I hope you have some folks around who support you in person. Meanwhile, big virtual hug from me to you!
Re Tired
last year
I'm sorry for all you and your husband have gone through and glad to hear he's doing better. Take care of yourself. Care-giving is no walk in the park, especially with a stubborn one. (Don't ask how I know.)
straitlover
last year
Sorry your DH is going through all this. You may want to see if he qualifies for the Evushield since he's in cancer treatment. It's for people with very compromised immune systems. https://www.evusheld.com/en/patient Lots of talk aobut it on a cancer board I follow (started when mother developed multiple myeloma in 2010, stayed when I developed breast cancer in 2013).
texanjana
last year
I hope your husband is recovering well, Oakley. Take care of yourself!
Irish2
last year
Oakley I couldn’t top your story either! Happy to hear that he’s recovering . Take Care.
lizzie_grow
last year
Oakley...how are things going?
User
last year
Thinking of you, Oakley, and hoping your DH is doing better.
westsider40
last year
That poor guy.
lascatx
last year
I laughed at your title. My dad was cut from the same cloth as your DH. He also had CHF when he refused a lot of the medication and treatments they told him he needed for COPD -- which led to the CHF. He lived alone after my mom went into memory care and I worried about him. I bet we could trade a lot of stories. But you did well in getting him to take the test (maybe even making sure he got vaccinated), use the string of chairs and go to the hospital. Those are not small feats with a stubborn man.

How are you feeling? Have you been able to take another test? You might want to get an all clear before they send DH home - or be able to arrange some help with his care if you are positive. Either way, take care of you and get some rest.
happy2b…gw
last year
Oakley, have things setttled down for you?
nicole___
last year
I'm just now reading this....I'm sooooooooooo sorry your husband is not well. Oakley I may have missed any updates. Is he home now? Is he feeling better? How are you holding up?

I bet your spouse/SO isn't as stubborn as mine

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