Surgery Complications with my Husband

Published

This week has been a roller coaster, and I just thought I'd mention this for some insight.

My husband had a radical nephrectomy earlier this week and they say the tumor was the size of a football. My husband was very weak after surgery and kept saying he felt like he was going to die. He was pale as a ghost and his blood count was low so they gave him 2units of blood. The next morning I left to take care of some business and he looked a wee bit better. Turns out a little while after I left his blood pressure bottomed out and he started bleeding heavily from the incision.

I got a phone call he was back in surgery to try to figure out where he was bleeding from, and it turns out one of the veins had become

"untied" and had caused a lot of internal bleeding and one of his lungs collapsed. He was in the ICU a couple of days, they had a tube draining his lungs. He's in a room now (and wilder than a monkey with its butt on fire--he wants out of that hospital) but still has all the tubes and stuff. I will say, I'm an RN but I do not have acute/critical care experience and am not familiar with all the equipment they use.

I just wanted some opinions. I AM NOT LOOKING TO SUE ANYONE!!!

I AM NOT INTERESTED IN SUING AT ALL.

What I'm curious about is if perhaps the surgeon was a little careless when he tied off one of the veins, or is it just one of the risks of that kind of surgery? Or did the transfer him to a regular bed too quickly? Or did he move the wrong way and tear something?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh geez Sorry to hear about your husband. Bleeding and ruputuring anastomosis of blood vesels is always a potential complication of surgery. I doubt the surgeon was careless these things just happen. I hope your husband gets better soon!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry your husband had complications and I hope he's better soon.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh wow, I am so sorry you are going through all of this and especially your poor husband.You have got your hands full girl, sending you prayers for strength and healing for your husband.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry to hear about your husband.

You also already know that we can not give opinions on matters such as that no matter what your intent is.

Talk to your husband’s doc or even someone in surgery if you work at a facility that does them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.
Sorry to hear about your husband.

You also already know that we can not give opinions on matters such as that no matter what your intent is.

Talk to your husband's doc or even someone in surgery if you work at a facility that does them.

:yeahthat:

Closing thread now.

Best of luck with your husband......sorry you're going through such a difficult time.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion