Ain't It Funny How Time Slips Away?

Day 28. Twenty eight days in ICU?!? To think I was expressing readiness for a little of your zaniness two weeks ago. I've reminded myself over and over during this journey that it was going to be a long haul. However, on the way to the hospital on Thursday, Forrest and I couldn’t help expressing a tiny bit of impatience with the length of time we’ve spent in one sided talk. While we were there, we made an attempt at your theme song. Unfortunately, I’ve become that woman in the pew behind us in church that we used to grimace about when she sang. (You know, there was always one or more at First Church downtown when we were kids and then in the Christian church with Colleen and Jeff whose voice cracked with age.) Forrest did a great job though, and was kind when I threw him off.

I was so happy to hear that your kids got to see you make your first real joke the next evening even if it was pantomime. I got a great lift when GerRee called last night to tell me about the wonderful visit they had before their return to Colorado. She’s been Wonder Woman, Michael.

I hold on to these moments because it looks as though we’ll hit a few rough waves as you continue your slow ride into lucidness. Today when I approached your room, the nurse was completing the task of getting you settled back into place from close to the foot of the bed where you had maneuvered yourself. She said you have had enough of the place and really would like to be out of that bed. I got the stool so that I could look into your eyes. I went through the litany of reasons you are there and the reason for all the tubes. You really wanted me to do something. I checked everything and massaged every place I could find. Finally, I talked with you about the reason you need the pressure cuffs around your calves. When I reminded you that I had had to wear them to prevent blood clots when I had surgery recently, and told you that is the reason you have to have them, you nodded. I came to the realization that the cuffs are irritating you more than usual because today’s nurse is trying to help you work on the goal of reducing the sedation. She said you don’t like them and you’ve been trying to get them off. I got back on the stool to let you know I understand how frustrating all those tubes and restraints are, but that you’re going to have to get calm and get your mind in a zone to help you ride through this rough patch. I reminded you of your reading Carlos Castaneda and you nodded your head and relaxed. I tried to sing a bit but didn’t have any of our singing kids with me so that wasn’t helpful. (I do OK on our family songs, but then you want to join in.) I was glad GerRee had marked the book they’ve been reading because I read and read to you as I stroked your hair. The nurse was kind enough to let me continue long time past visiting time. We’re into the next phase, my brother, and I have to recognize that as progress.

Status: Good news} Oxygen assist 40% --WOW!! PEEP still holding steady at 5. You’re getting antibiotics for the lungs which are improving because the gunk is getting looser.