Friday, April 26, 2019

Down The Rabbit Hole

A metaphor for an entry into the unknown, the disorienting or the mentally deranging, from its use in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.  


It's been a while since I've posted.  I've missed you.  Hope you've missed me.  My excuse is that Dave and I have been on a little trip down the rabbit hole. 

It started when he was feeling dizzy and a little off.  I tried to explain to him that, hey, that's my job but it persisted so we made a trip to the ER.  After a while they determined that he'd had a watershed stroke.  This can be dealt with by having carotid artery surgery.  So we signed up and they sent us home to wait a few days until surgery could be scheduled.    

This is when things got interesting. 

Long story short, the night before Dave's scheduled surgery he fell in the hospital shower, hit his head, (among other things) and ended up having brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. Since we watch "Law and Order" I knew immediately what this was and that it wasn't good.  
Dave at lunch today.

The neurosurgeon told us he might not wake up and if he did wake up he might not be in good shape cognitively.  

This saga has been going on for three weeks or so.  Family and friends have been over the top helpful.  Dave's kids and my kids and grands (some of whom didn't even know each other) formed a village to care for us. We needed it, especially since these events have brought on a Meniere's attack for me every single day which means, among other things, I can't drive.  But, due to the kindness of friends with cars, I've spent eight hours a day, everyday, with Dave. No place else I'd rather be.

Here is the good, best, most miraculous news.  Dave has not been significantly impaired by either the stroke or the brain surgery.  He's currently in an excellent rehab hospital and making big strides every day.  

He's passed his cognitive tests with flying colors, something I'm not sure I could do at this point in time. 

But we still need prayers from those of you who pray and positive energy from those of you who don't.  Because Dave needs to get strong enough to have the vascular surgery that started us down this rabbit hole. 


***