Carla-
As everyone else here, I am concerned and worried that your husband is in such pain. But I have watched my husband go through many very tough heart and lung surgeries, and they sometimes have some problems, but the surgeon and all the staff really know how to take care of most everything. It may take some time, but he will get straightened out.
Regarding pain medications, they always make people loopy, hallucinating sometimes, or out of it, not able to talk, eyes rolling around, sleepy, you name it.
Our neighbors are dear people who wanted so badly to visit Joe when he had one of his heart surgeries. They came when he was newly out of surgery, and on serious stuff for pain. They tried to talk with him, but he was completely out of it, slurring his words, eyes not focusing.
They didn't stay long, and when they were leaving, they asked me, in the hall, if I thought Joe would ever be right again. They were of course, clueless about such serious surgery and what it entails. But I had seen it all before, and knew that soon the drugs would be replaced with something less intoxicating. So I assured them that he would indeed be himself again.
Be patient, speak with the doctor and find out just what is going on and what the source of the pain is. But the body wants to heal itself, and in time, it will. Sometimes, the various tubes and drains that are inserted during surgery are a source of pain, until such time that they can be removed. And if he is still on the vent, that is not a comfortable thing. Once the drains, etc. and the vent are removed, there is a big sense of relief and much of the pain is gone.
This surgery is not like an appendectomy. People do not snap right back in a matter of days. the recovery is extended, but it is steady and the pain will diminish.
Never give in and never give up. Stay strong for your man.
