The name of today is Poo Party! James being a long time NON-med user, all the meds the past few days has clogged him up to the point of the worst type of discomfort one could probably have in this situation. James looked to have gained about ten pounds in his abdomen alone. I tried to joke with him that now he knew what all us women felt when pregnant but his discomfort overrode his humor today many times.
Today’s nurse is Shelsea, she is a bubbly girl that reminds me of my best friend Emma. Shelsea was determined to alleviate James discomfort prior to the end of her shift! This made me very happy as the previous nurses hadn’t taken this issue as serious as we’d of liked. So on we went with the mission of the day being James poo!
The surgeon and cardiologist visit for their morning rounds and grant all my suggestions of relief for James beginning with an enema. James will later say “I really love you, Lyns. You are standing up for my poop! No man should ever have the woman he loves watch this but I know you wouldn’t let me kick you out, ha!” His humor is still intact, after all!
Hours go by and multiple attempts to get things moving including walking around the unit to no avail. James is becoming increasingly uncomfortable to the point of pain. I felt so bad that things aren’t working for him, I know that he is already in a ton of pain from the surgery but this is taking him over the edge now. James gets to tears more than once during this day and I am helpless to remedy it. I can’t explain in words how much I care for this man only to say that it tears my soul to watch him struggle in any way. I leave the room a few times today, as to not have him see me cry for him. His pain is my pain, I have never been this emotionally connected to another human with this much heartfelt love, other than my kids.
We make our way to the cardiac class that is recommended by the team which helps give us a heads up on what to expect when we get home as well as a timeline to when James can begin to do normal activities again. This is a good class and good information for the spouse to retain as the patient will likely not remember much of this hospital stay if medications are on board like James were.
Shelsea ends her shift without being able to say she won the poo battle but sets us up with the night nurse on the same mission with hopes James finds relief thru the night. It takes several hours but finally around 1030 that eve he finally has some movement and relief. “Well I said I wouldn’t fart in front of you but I guess you’ve seen and heard it all now so, oh well” James jokes.
Moving forward into our night, James visits the bathroom a few more times which gives us hope that we may be able to go home in the morning! Yay! “Goodnight my love, I’m here and everything is ok.” I whisper to James every night.
I love you James, everyday, every way, always.
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