Such Memories

Ah, memories. Sometimes it’s good to look back to help us appreciate where we are today.

Often memories pop up on social media, like today.

Seven years ago, my husband - we call him Dupp or The Duppster - returned to the hospital. During 2019 he spent 132 nights in hospital beds, not always in the same facility.

As he awaited surgery, Hurricane Dorian skirted through Charleston and it was Labor Day weekend. I think just about everything was put on hold. I was staying in his hospital room with him, and during the night, we heard loud noises. The hurricane popped open the windows in the bathroom; wind and water came in quickly.

He had MRSA, sepsis, a drop foot, pneumonia, and two major as well as lengthy back surgeries. Dupp died for nine minutes. When they resuscitated him, they cracked his ribs, but that’s okay: they brought him back to life. Next they cooled his body to preserve brain function.

He, of course, doesn’t remember this or even most of the 132 days and nights. We thought he would never walk again. Heck, we thought he would never be able to sit up by himself again.

Recovery was slow and he had to work hard. Therapists who came to our home taught Dupp how to get up with a walker, get to the kitchen counter, turn to take something out of the refrigerator, and make himself a sandwich. There was so much he had to learn.

We were grateful to see 2019 come to an end. Then along came Covid.

He gets around rather well now, mostly using a cane except when he’s at home. I can’t say he’s at 100%, but, compared to where he was and what was happening seven years ago, I’d say he’s right near perfect!