Hi, everyone. Sorry I didn’t update the blog yesterday evening. We saw the surgeon at 6:30pm last night and he said everything went extremely well. I’d already told his nurse I was going to give him a big hug, and I did just that. He looked a little sheepish, but hey. That surgery went on for 9 1/2 hours and he needed to know he was appreciated, I thought! Best news, though…
He was able to do everything in this one surgery – no second one is needed! I finallly saw Howie about 8:30pm, and though in a lot of pain and still out of it, he gave a thumbs-up to that news. I stepped out for a quick bite to eat in the cafeteria and when I got back upstairs, they were moving him on his side(s) and taking x-rays; he was in a lot of pain and I just felt sick for him, poor guy.
Until they were done with the x-rays and he was settled in with some good pain meds, I rested in one of the waiting rooms. He was a little more awake and on a patient-regulated pain meds pump by the time I went back in. Not trusting myself to drive the 45 minutes back to Dea’s, I crashed in the ICU in a recliner they kindly put next to his bed. Around 5:30am, I headed back to Dea’s.
He’ll be moved to a regular room sometime today, and I’ll head in to visit him this afternoon. I’m going to get some sleep in a real bed, cuddled up with the doggies under the down comforter. Aaaaaaah. More later!
That is such great news!!!!! Glad to hear it went well and he’s not going to have to have the 2nd surgery!!!.
As for the staples, you might check to see if you can use alcohol on them. When I had mine I put alcohol on them 2-3x a day with a cutip. It helped immensely and I only had one that was a bit tough to get out.
AWESOME! So glad he doesn’t have to go through this again! Just more evidence that prayer works….
I’m so happy everything went well! I pray the recovery goes as well. This is just awesome news!
The good news keeps coming! What a relief to have this part done and to know that God continues to watch over you both.
Oh you guys!!! I’m SO RELIEVED to hear that it went so well!!!
You’ve sure got a lot of people praying for you, Howie — I can’t wait to hear the next se to fgood news — you’re a champion, no bout-a-doubt-it. Man, I’m trying to figure out how I can get up there after work to see you! 
Biggest, squeeziest (except for Howie) hugs for both of you — I love you guys!!!
HOORAY!
fantastic news!
and i hear those patient managed pumps are THE BOMB!
i know you said before but how long a hospital stay are the calling for?
Hey, guys! Thanks for sticking with us! Your comments mean the world to us. He should be in there about 5 days. I don’t know if the dural tear will delay that or not. I’ll update after I know more. I’m off to see him soon.
I am SO Glad to hear that everything went well! Thank you for updating the blog so that we know what is going on. God bless!
I’m so glad everything went so well! Thank you for posting on the blog so I can keep up!