|
My husband severely hurt his back several years ago and has been in pain every day of his life since then. He recently re-injured himself and the increase in pain level is really affecting mood. The cortisone cocktail shot did not work, so I have no idea what the next plan of attack is, but based upon his last appointment the prognosis is not good. There is very little that they can do until it gets worse. Arthritis has set in because of the original injury; scar tissue from his surgery several years ago is hitting a nerve that runs down his leg. The recent fall has given him horrible back spasms. A couple of weeks ago he was sleeping and all of the sudden he was convulsing as if he were having a grand mal seizure.
I logically understand that he is depressed because of the pain and that it is making him short tempered, but I really do not know how much more I can take. When he finally does take a day off of work, I can’t stand to have him around the house because he snaps at all of us and then we’re all in black moods.
Part of me is angry at him. He waited for nearly three years before seeing a real doctor for the original injury. Because he waited so long, he caused permanent damage to his body. He refuses to accept his limitations (a combination of the latter caused the recent injury) which increases his pain level, which increases his bad mood etc. He took Christmas day off, and hasn’t had a day off since and will not have another one until Thursday (his next doctor appointment). He’s been working 12 – 16 hour shifts and work has been calling him in the middle of the night when he’s not there. I’m so angry that he won’t set up boundaries. It’s bad enough that he’s in a bad mood, but these calls waking me up are making me extremely cranky too.
I am at my wits end. My kids are old enough to understand that dad is acting like a bear with a sore @ss because of his pain level but this is affecting them too. We had a huge fight this morning after work called. I do feel guilty for piling more crap on him when he’s got so much going on already. But we really cannot take much more of this.
__________________
I've been married for 24 years and have four wonderful children.
|