Bath Time

It didn't take me long to negotiate the new maze to your new room; GerRee gave me good directions last night. However, when I walked through the double doors of the new ICU, everything was a mystery. I walked in circles for a minute looking for your room. When I found it, I saw that the curtain was pulled around your bed. I peeked around the curtain. There was a new nurse, Stacie, to introduce myself to.
"Mike Hinshaw?" Confirmation.
"Give me about 10 minutes." No problem, of course.

As I stood against the wall, I realized that a male nurse was working with her to accomplish some task for you. Then I saw her rinse and ring out a wash rag. Ahh, bath time. "I'm going to wash you eyes now," she informed you. As they talked with you and with each other, I would hear them laugh. That made me feel good because I figured it reassured you. This family likes to laugh. Then I heard Stacie say, "Stop, Michael." Uh, oh. I knew what that meant. You were most likely trying to get out of bed. I was glad to hear her call you by your first name.

She pulled the curtain open and said I could come in. As I climbed up on the stool, your eyes were scanning the ceiling. Stacie told me that you weren't very happy with her right then. I asked about the Xrays. You're holding steady on all the things we've learned to check, and your temperature has been normal for another 24 hours.

"Hi, Michael, you can see who I am today. I don't have to wear a mask or hair cover." You were trying to get out of bed, lifting as much of your shoulders off the bed as possible, your arms were waving, and your legs were elevated. She was correct; you weren't just agitated, you were aggravated. "They just gave you a bath. I'll bet that was very uncomfortable." I told you over and over who I was and why you shouldn't try to get out of bed. You became calmer, but still wouldn't really look at me and didn't recognize me. The nurse and I talked for a minute about your day to day habit of pacing and seldom being still. She left and returned with some Lasix which is the medication that helps your body get rid of the extra fluid your lungs and body are retaining. She told you that she was turning out the light so you could get some rest. I climbed off the stool, held your hand and began to hum. You closed your eyes, but you were a bit fidgety for a while. I moved from one hand to the other holding your hand and humming until eventually you opened your eyes enough to look right at me, gave me a smile of recognition finally and went to sleep.