Hello everyone. I was trying so hard not to worry everyone, but thank you Suzanne for knowing what I need most. Yes, Rob has been hospitalized again. They found another infection and today had another drain put in to allow the infection to drain. He is extremely weak, was so dehydrated yesterday that his veins had collapsed and has pretty much stopped eating. His surgeon immediately hospitalized him and he has been poked and prodded until he screamed for mercy. Not really, but I need a little humor. He is getting a lot of antibiotics, pain control and TLC from a wonderful staff. His very tired wife actually got to sleep for almost 8 hours last night, a first since his surgery 5 weeks ago. He is still a very weak and sick man, but he is getting very good care and I now have hope that he will heal and gain strength. It is going to be a tough struggle to get him eating and drinking again. We can certainly use prayers for an appetite. For Rob, not me. Sigh! I am very much looking forward to him coming home with a drain (again) and heavy doses of antibiotics. I can only pray he also comes home with an appetite. He may come home the afternoon of 7/24 to 7/26 depending on if he manages to eat and drink enough. To all of my Cute family, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the support and prayers. It has been a very strange start to our homecoming and retirement, but I have so many blessings including wonderful friends who have helped in so many ways.

Praying for you both God is bigger then all our problems and he still heals today Carolyn

Sending you and him my prayers and hugs. Devon

Pray that all improves fast, and that you can get a few more nights of good sleep!

Retirement is not all that great. I totally understand how you feel. Been there done that. Prayer does help. Got you in mine.

Dear Karen, I'm so sorry you have been through all these. You and your husband are in my prayers. Love, Yoriko

Will continue to pray for healing and appetite for your husband; rest and energy for you.

so sorry will be praying for him.
HUg Lena

Try to regain and keep your strength and rest a bit too while your DH
is in hospital. I'll be thinking of the both of you. Take good care
Maria

You are both in my prayers. Please remember to take care of yourself, too. Wish there was something more I could do. Hugs Deb

if HE brings you to it, HE will take you thru it... Is that how the saying goes? You two are in my thoughts and prayers. Its been so tough for you lately. XXX Huge Hug XXX

My prayers go out to you. Praying that he will get his appetite back and you can cook him his favorite meal and put some fat back on him. I wish I could loose my appetite, just for a little while. Hugs Virdean

Wow! I remember his surgery shortly after getting home... I pray life returns to normal very soon!

Hope he gets better soon. Sounds like a long road to travel but hope it takes a good bend in the road soon.

Karen and Rob, you are both in my prayers. I pray that God will lift you both up and strengthen you. ~hugs~ joyce

sending prayers too Karen. I hope he heals very soon! Please take care.

Thinking about the pair of you

So sorry to hear of Rob's continued Illness, It is a terrible start for your retirement. I will be praying for both of you. When someone we love is ill it wears us down too. Make sure you eat and rest too. Try the Ensure for the appetite. I hear it helps. Jen

Karen my heart goes out to you and I know how hard this on you, You at least know he in time will get better. Don't bring him home from the hosp. until the Drs. are sure it will be ok. Sometimes they let them come home before they are ready and having to go back is hard on you both. My prayers will continue for you both, that he soon will be well and you can get some rest. We wives never rest well with our husbands in the hospital but you must keep up your strength for the care he will need when he gets home. Many hugs for you/Lillian

My mother had a similar experience after undergoing surgery. She was re-hospitalized several times for various reasons, but most for dehydration. They ended up putting a central line in (near her collarbone) where she received IV nutrition. Turned out that she was allergic to the nausea medication she was receiving.
Some things that might work to help build up his strength are instant breakfast (the kind you mix with milk), Jello made with fruit juice, Ensure and other liquid meal substitutes.
If you are wearing down the point it sounds like, you both might benefit from hiring an aide or respite caregiver to give you a break enough to sleep so that you will be up to caring for him. Because if you get sick, then you will both up that proverbial creek.
I hope that he improves very quickly with this hospitalization, and you take the time to throw everything you have in to resting up in preparation for the next phase. Best wishes to both of you!!!

Karen try to keep your spirits up, will keep you both in our hearts.. marian

thank you Karen for telling how Rob and you are doing. Hope he gets appetite again , so he can recover. In the meantime, when he is hopitalized, try to get some rest and time for yourself: so you have recovered some energy yourself again. and will be able to be there for him when he's home again.
Lots of hugs and prayers for you. Gerry

Thanks Karen for letting us know how Rob is faring. Prayers and thoughts are being sent over the miles/kilometres! Make sure you do get lots of rest before he comes home, and as others have said, you are going to be the caregiver! Love and blessings Chris

You have been through so much Karen that I am worried about you as well. Rob is in good hands and while he is in hospital you need all the rest you can get. My thoughts are with you both. Keep strong. Love and hugs Sarah.

Hugs and prayers for both of you.

So sorry, keep up informed. Kay

So sorry to here the news about Rob. When you are so dehydrated, it is hard to get an IV started and it is VERY painful, esp. if you get a nurse that can't do it anyway, does make you want to scream...ask me how I know. I do feel for you and Rob, I know it is a strain on you as well. Keep us up-dated on his progress.

Karen try to get some rest while Rob is in good hands. You will need it later. I pray that Rob will get better real soon and of course for you too. May God be with both of you.

Karen, I'm praying for Rob and for you. Hopefully, you can get rested back up for the next round of nurse maid. If he gets started eating and drinking again, it will only help. I'm sure that you are making his favorites. Love and Hugs!

Hugs and Prayers for you both. Take care of yourself too. As a care giver too I know how important it is.

Bless you and keep in you forever in the eyes of the Lord. Prayers going heavenward.

I prayed for both of you and do believe that it will help. Hugs and lots of strength.

Well, dear, if prayers can help, you're in good shape from your friends here. R-e-s-t and S-l-e-e-p, because you're about to be the nurse again!

Please know I am thinking about you and praying for you both! I hope you are well rested by the time he comes back home so that you can care for him.
Hugs!!

Oh, Karen, I will keep you both in my prayers........my hubby had his gallbladder out 5 yrs ago, so I know it is or can be painful....hope his recovery gets easier for him (&you)!!