SATURDAY - 11/22

Dad's new neurology attending is Dr. Kirshner. The new critical care attending is Dr. Barwise. Both seem wonderful.

Dr. Kirshner came by first. He says they're pretty pleased with how Dad's doing neurologically. He did say that we need to understand that Dad may have some personality changes as a result of this ordeal. I've been wondering about that, and worrying about how easily frustrated he can get sometimes and whether that will be exacerbated by this. No, apparently there's the distinct possibility that he will be, as Dr. Kirshner put it, "more passive and docile." Of course, we all responded quite favorably to that news. As an aside, I explained to Dr. Kirshner that while my Dad is a wonderful man and is truly loved by many - he's also been to anger management classes three times. Dr. Kershner just nodded.

Today's nurse went back over the C-Diff information with us and even said that we might be asked to wear gloves. This nurse is very good. I found out later that she actually teaches over at Belmont University in their nursing program. She's wonderful with Dad, always telling him directly what she's doing. When he's awake enough he nods.

Laura Beth came into town last night. Dr. Barwise was kind enough to give us an explanation of Thursday's CT and do a comparison to the ones from last week. He said that he'd heard that we'd been given a dismal prognosis last week and that the CT had been used to back it up. He also said he was very sorry that had happened, because from what he saw, and from what he'd read in Dad's chart, he had certainly been in grave condition, but no one should have been talking about pulling any plugs. Thankfully we already have adopted a "that was last week" point of view and have been moving forward. It also reinforces our happiness that Dr. V is not the one back on service for Dad's case this week.

After lunch Laura Beth came out and told us that she'd been talking the nurse who told her that Dad actually has 3 types of infection right now. There's the C-Diff. There's an interococcal infection, which is also digestive tract. And there is MRS-E. The next question we need an answer to is whether or not they'll be able to do Dad's shunt on Tuesday if these infections are not resolved.

Oh yeah - the BEST thing that happened today? Dad blew air kisses at Mom, and then turned to me and said, "Mary Carol." It was a good day.