Burning up I-40/I-85 again

[HillWilliam]

Hey Family,

I've been mostly absent lately, remiss in co-host conversations. Rob took a bad turn a couple-three weeks back so this Tuesday he went back into Duke hospital. He's in a good deal of pain, but they're working on it and trying to make him comfortable. Good thoughts are definitely appreciated.

The new job is going pretty well, a lot of adjustments to make. The only drawback is that it's 60 miles from home to the west and Duke is 60 miles from here, then it's 50 miles home. Gas prices are killing me and the long, long days aren't helping.

Glad y'all are here for moral support. The last year has been rougher than rough. I think I've aged about a decade. Your love and good thoughts have kept us going. Thanks again for being there.

[xchrom]

1. ...

[William769]

2. You can always count on us for good thoughts

& support when you need it.

[edgineered]

3. Keep in mind the importance of knowing when to give yourself a rest.

I'm sure no one expects anything less. Best wishes going forward.

[HillWilliam]

4. The hope for today is they may let him come home tomorrow

and if that's the case, I'll try to grab some extra winks this weekend. The house is a mess and the garden needs tending, but first things being first, I'll get him comfortable then snag a minute for me.

Long range plan right now is 24 hours.

We're both kinda worried that after almost 30 years of being Poz his body is just wearing out. We'll get past this then figure out what comes next.

In any case, it'll be so good to have him back home. I'm only half myself when he's not there.

[pansypoo53219]

5. in the early days of my grandparents marriage, he stayed close to work in an apartment?

and drove home for the weekend. i don't think as easy now. bus?

[HillWilliam]

6. If only there were any kind of bus service

We live way out in a very rural county. We don't have trash pickup or recycling, even. I have to carry trash to a collection point and bring the recycles to town. When my hubby is in the hospital, it's a 200-mile round trip in a day. Keeping a full day at work and tending to him in the evenings just isn't possible even if there were public trans services. I'm up at 5:30, out of the house by 6:45 for a 65-mile one-way commute, at work by 8, leave a few minutes after 5, then there's a 65 mile trip between High Point and Durham. Then there's a 55-mile trip home. I arrive to tend to the house and the dogs around 9:30 or 10 in the evening. Then there's household stuff to do before trying to catch a few hours' fitful sleep.

For now, 's'just how it is.

[Rowdyboy]

7. Just know that we're still here for you and will be....Wish I could take some of the burden away but

all I can do is care. Good thoughts, prayers etc headed to you both.

[HillWilliam]

9. It means the world to feel your vibes

We're slowly digging out of a really hard year. Knowing y'all are there sending good energy into the aether keeps us going.

[Fearless]

8. All the best to you and yours!

[HillWilliam]

10. I might-maybe get to spring him loose this afternoon, but it might be tomorrow depending on how thi

The first culture results came back this morning and it looks as if he got hold of something akin to MRSA. Most folks are reasonably immune to this virus (I can't recall the name off the top of my head). Folks with compromised immune systems have trouble but can "usually" fight it off. Rob's system is so compromised at this point (he's been losing T's over the last year, yet his viral load stays around 0) he got several large and very painful abscesses. The doctor drained two and they have him on heavy-duty antibiotics to fight the various infections he's succumbed to.

He's bitching and growling this morning so I can tell he feels some better It's good to hear some bass back in his voice.

Long-range plan right this instant is about 4 hours long. I still have to work in the meantime, but I'm ready to go if he does get released. I'm not expecting it, but I'm hoping.

[joeybee12]

11. Good thoughts and vibes for you both!

[HillWilliam]

12. Got him home again!!

He's going to be on IV antibiotics for some weeks yet; possibly up to a year. The hospital set up home nursing care so someone will come in and check on his meds and set new PICC lines as necessary. At least he won't have to stick himself every day. They've supplied a walker and an IV pole.

If anyone doubts the value of socialized medicine, I will be quick to point out that my husband is alive today because of it. The doubters would change their minds if a catastrophe happened to them. We've long understood that Poz people "don't count" -- but my beloved counts to me. I do wish ACA went further.

Holidays mean being together with the ones you love, remembering what it is that keeps you strong. Rob and I are together, and we're together with you. Thank you for being there. Y'all have no idea how much of a lifeline you've been over the last year. Yes, one can feel the strength coming through the ether.

Happy Easter and Pesach sameach.

[Rowdyboy]

13. You just made my day!

Now get some rest and enjoy each other.

[HillWilliam]

14. The house is starting to feel "right" again

His canine assistant, Dora, was pissed at me all week. She acted as if I'd taken him out somewhere and lost him -- and I'd best get my hind-end out there and find him LOL

How do you explain things like that to a dog? (She has visited him in Cone hospital, but Duke apparently doesn't have a specific policy for visits from canine assistants.)

It's going to be a long haul to get him fully back upright, but now we're together again it'll be better.

[dickthegrouch]

15. Best wishes from my household too /nt

[edgineered]

16. Just a follow-up ..

I know it never is easy, just saying that I hope things are going better.