Yesterday evening, all three of your kids were there, Dad. It was nice. Technically, only two are allowed in the room at a time, but thanfully, both nurses didn't bat an eye. (Thanks!) We chatted and laughed alot. We even made your experience of us completely authentic by arguing about teeny tiny matters. Basically, Dad, we showered you with utter normalcy in a bizarro world. I hope you enjoyed it as much as we did.
We couldn't tell. You were high as a kite.
You got doped up pretty good yesterday for dressing changes and such. You're fighting it more and more. Understandable. Just transfer a little of that external fight internally, to your lungs. Let's get you off that vent and out into the world.
Yesterday morning was a nice visit. I read to you. A little of the book I'm reading: The Drawing of the Three, from The Dark Tower series. I never thought I'd groove to Stephen King, but I'm digging this series. The book opens with The Gunslinger waking from a dreamlike state, slowly feeling his limbs awaken, then plunging right into battle with a strange creature. As I read it, I couldn't help but draw the parallel to how you must feel multiple times a day, every day.
Also, as of yesterday morning, I think I've figured out your leg discomfort, once and for all. You like to have pillows under your knees. It relieves the pressure on your lumbar and on your old knee injury. I've told the nurses, and I've told Asia and Forrest. And now I'm telling 396 people.
I think I'll pick up a copy of All the Pretty Horses and leave it in the room with a bookmarker so whoever comes in can pick up where the other left off.
I have to go back to Denver on Sunday.
I have recruited Lee to drive back down from Colorado to come get me. He didn't hesitate. What a champ. The second roundtrip roadtrip down to Texas in a month. I have been planning to fly back when it felt right, but now I truly believe I cannot step into an airport, then onto a plane, leaving you in that bed, on my own willpower alone.
Update: Temperature climbed a bit to 38 C. PEEP still at 10, O2 assistance still at the low, low rate of 50%, which is good. Keep up the good work, Dad.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Though I don't comment much, I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of all of you daily (though the only one I've met is GerRee).
Your experience has prompted me to make sure that my loved ones have checked their smoke detectors (one friend admitted that she'd taken hers down when it was beeping in the middle of the night, and hadn't put it back up). And you've also reminded me to be consciously grateful for all I have -- including a house that's still standing, generally good health, loving family, etc.
Your father's improving health is something I think of daily, and will continue to do so. Hopefully he can make a guest appearance at FreakTrain sometime soon :)
Post a Comment