I had similar incident a few months ago. I learned that I sleep on my wrists and my hands fall asleep. Took me forever to rack a round into my pistol. Freakin hands wouldn’t work. Had to rethink my response.
There are exceptions...but broadly speaking revolvers are always ready to fire and are considered defensive pistols, whereas semi-autos are not always ready to fire but are considered offensive pistols. Adding to that, deringers are often considered ready to fire.
If you have a small area to defend, or if you are not a marksman when awakened at 4 am by your door being kicked in, then you might consider shotgun rounds in your wheel gun. These munitions increase your chances of getting hits (decrease chances of getting first-shot kills, though).
Likewise, there are pump and semi-auto shotguns for home defense...with both slugs and shot shells for munition choices. Ditto for breach-breaking double-barreled shotguns.
All of the above have advantages and disadvantages, and each weapon and each munition choice impacts what defensive tactics are most appropriate for what you have on hand when the bad guy comes calling.
The following items can improve your edge upon the above:
1. dog
2. bullet-proof vest (you can hold it in front of you like a shield...don’t even have to wear it for most defensive scenarios)
3. caltrops (useful for throwing out of your defensive position to deny ground to an intruder advancing on you). These are especially effective in a dark house at night...and if you don’t have any caltrops some poor substitutes would include marbles and pistacio shells (they make a crunch sound which is useful for locating a bad guy)
4. tear gas grenade (useful for clearing out the entire house)
You may not want, need, or be able to afford any/all edges. Heck, in some areas you might not be able to purchase them.
Sorry mate. The bad guys thank you, though.