Yet more leg saga, the very serious scary kind
It's been another tough few days in the on-going saga of Stepdad-In-Law's bad legs. For those that don't know - and if you want more details, check out this journal entry - SIL has had two years of dangerously-bad problems with his legs, causing all of his toes to be surgically removed, basically he was retaining a lot of water in his legs for some reason, and as he's a big bloke, the strain on his heart was too much and he's been in and out of hospital ever since. At one point we were told they wouldn't try to resuscitate him if anything happened due to the weakness of his heart. So yeah, we've been dealing with his up and down recovery and the possibility of losing him too.
Last night he was rushed into hospital for emergency surgery and we were told he could lose a leg below the knee. He had two blood clots that needed dealing with immediately. As his heart is weak, putting him under using general anesthetic is very dangerous, so Anthony and I were very tense last night, knowing again that we could lose him. Naturally, Anthony's Mum was extremely upset and was leaning on her daughter heavily for emotional support, who in turn called Anthony to vent and get some support herself. It's part of what family's about of course, but it's also extremely draining on all concerned.
Thankfully, I can report that SIL's surgery was a success, and he still has both legs, the especially-problematic one has blood flowing in it again, phew. Now of course it's a long road of recovery, and his heart and kidneys will take a pounding during this. But Anthony was granted today and tomorrow off work - as he'll be doing a management training course next week, something he was told after he's already booked those days off for annual leave - and he reports that SIL was looking exhausted and clearly ill but was very much himself, teasing the nurses as always, giving them jip. If you want a thumbprint portrait of what SIL's like, conjure up a 1970s British sitcom middle-age male character, the sort who's pretty un-PC - Anthony and I are always trying to curb his more racist pronouncements, it's a long work in progress. I enjoy some of his dark humour; he appreciated the fact I wanted to buy him a parrot and an eye-patch for Christmas. I told Anthony I'll be adding a pegleg to that wish-list now.
There's great relief all round that the operation was a success and hopefully Anthony's Mum is less worried and overwhelmed by the whole thing. I'm almost sure that eventually SIL will lose his remaining toes and likely at least one leg, the problems just aren't clearing up at all after two years after all. I'm just so glad he's feeling very much like himself, that's a huge relief. Plese keep him and the whole family in your prayers and thoughts - send us both please, especially since Anthony's Mum's sister, to whom she's very close, is currently in hospital too, and has been for a while. It's not a good time for that side of the family right now :(
Last night he was rushed into hospital for emergency surgery and we were told he could lose a leg below the knee. He had two blood clots that needed dealing with immediately. As his heart is weak, putting him under using general anesthetic is very dangerous, so Anthony and I were very tense last night, knowing again that we could lose him. Naturally, Anthony's Mum was extremely upset and was leaning on her daughter heavily for emotional support, who in turn called Anthony to vent and get some support herself. It's part of what family's about of course, but it's also extremely draining on all concerned.
Thankfully, I can report that SIL's surgery was a success, and he still has both legs, the especially-problematic one has blood flowing in it again, phew. Now of course it's a long road of recovery, and his heart and kidneys will take a pounding during this. But Anthony was granted today and tomorrow off work - as he'll be doing a management training course next week, something he was told after he's already booked those days off for annual leave - and he reports that SIL was looking exhausted and clearly ill but was very much himself, teasing the nurses as always, giving them jip. If you want a thumbprint portrait of what SIL's like, conjure up a 1970s British sitcom middle-age male character, the sort who's pretty un-PC - Anthony and I are always trying to curb his more racist pronouncements, it's a long work in progress. I enjoy some of his dark humour; he appreciated the fact I wanted to buy him a parrot and an eye-patch for Christmas. I told Anthony I'll be adding a pegleg to that wish-list now.
There's great relief all round that the operation was a success and hopefully Anthony's Mum is less worried and overwhelmed by the whole thing. I'm almost sure that eventually SIL will lose his remaining toes and likely at least one leg, the problems just aren't clearing up at all after two years after all. I'm just so glad he's feeling very much like himself, that's a huge relief. Plese keep him and the whole family in your prayers and thoughts - send us both please, especially since Anthony's Mum's sister, to whom she's very close, is currently in hospital too, and has been for a while. It's not a good time for that side of the family right now :(