Update

Spending all day at the hospital is very tiring - emotionally and physically.

When I went in this morning, my husband looked a lot better - but his arm looked a lot worse. I'm not going to describe it to you because it would literally gross you out, but it is one heck of an infection. His arm is still swollen and has started to blister. Ok, so I described it a little. But I won't go into the really bad details.

My daughter and I stayed up late making cards for him and she picked out a "get well" balloon for him this morning at the hospital. It was of Tigger and it said something like, "Bounce back soon!" She stayed with us for a little while at the hospital and then my mom, bless her heart, took her for the rest of the afternoon and evening.

The doctor had to recommend an orthopedic surgeon to look at hubby's arm, and that didn't happen until after 5 p.m. Y'know what I'm realizing about hospitals? There's a whole lot of waiting involved. But the hardest thing to wait for is answers.

What the orthopedic surgeon said was a mixed bag of good and bad. Good, that it looks like at this point he won't require surgery. Bad, in that he will have to be in the hospital longer than the weekend and treatment will continue (outside the hospital) for another three to four weeks.

He's on two different kinds of antibiotics, had to have his IV needle reinserted (especially painful) and went through another round of poking and prodding to get some more blood samples.

I'm trying to think positive here, but there are a few things holding me back. One, hubby doesn't have insurance. Why? you may ask. Because we can't afford it for all of us. The kids and I have insurance. Since he has been the healthiest of the two of us (and since I have diabetes and need to have insurance to cover all the doctor visits), he elected to just get set up with the Veteran's Administration since he served in the army during the first Gulf War. The only problem? We were just filling out the paperwork when all this happened.

And we all know how expensive hospitals and doctors and specialists are. I cringe when I think of the bills. And I cringe again when I think of him being out of work for 3-4 weeks.

God will provide. I keep telling myself that. And I have to believe it, otherwise I'll drive myself crazy with worry.

But y'know what? There are always positive things to come out of any situation. And here's one. Hubby and I are spending a lot of time together. We're bonding in a way that we haven't before - and as the vows go, in sickness and in health. Well, we're in the sickness part right now. But that's ok. It's just increased our devotion and love for each other. When he takes a nap, I work on my writing (it's a great way to escape reality for awhile) and when he's awake, we talk, hold hands, and watch t.v. together.

We'll be ok. :-)

Thanks for all your good wishes. I'll keep you updated as time permits.