Friday, December 26, 2008
FRIDAY - 12/19
Sorry for the delay, but here's another update from David...
DAD IS THRIVING!
Elizabeth made a trip from Memphis to Nashville this week to see Dad. She spent all of the afternoon of December 17 and all day on December 18 with Dad. She found him making remarkable headway with his rehab. The morning of the 17th the physical therapist reported he had walked for the first time since November 9 using a walking frame – 1000 paces! Elizabeth saw him using the walker on the 17th. With no active support from the therapists, he used the frame to walk some 500 paces down a long corridor to a physical therapy gym. At the end of the rehab session, he returned again under his own power. Dad grows more alert and for longer intervals. His doctors have been using Ritalin to stimulate parts of the brain that create focus. It has had a dramatic effect.
On December 17, Mother, Elizabeth, and David joined Dad as he ate his evening meal. When David arrived at five Dad was lying in bed in his sweatsuit (Razorback red pants with stripes). A nurse came in and directed Dad’s movements to manuveur himself off the bed and onto his feet so he could sit in a waiting wheelchair. Then the nurse wheeled him in to a therapy/exercise room that had large tables. He joined three other patients at those tables for his hot meal. He now gets solid food that is prepped only by pre-cutting it to bite size chunks. He ate as well or better than any of the other three patients. A therapist was present to monitor how often the patients swallowed per bite. Dad had no problems.
He was completely alert and followed all conversation – only his bad hearing interfered. As part of therapy, the patients are left to feed themselves. Exercising motor control over muscles to feed themselves requires great concentration, and all ate very slowly. Dad had to be frequently prompted to take another bite, but he did eat his whole meal on his own.
On Friday December 18 at seven at night, David telephoned the room from home. Dad was awake and alert. Mom put Dad on the phone and he talked much as he might do before his stroke. I asked if he had had therapy that day, and he told me about walking more and spending time with hand activities. He told me he had talked to grandson Michael and that the latter was coping with 18 inches of new snow in Rochester, but that Michael would be planning to go to Tulsa soon for Christmas with his parents. Then Dad told me that the whole Tulsa crew would be coming at New Year’s to see Vanderbilt play the Music City Bowl. A very normal conversation for Pappaw. Grandchildren, children and in-laws, family gatherings and football.
I put Douglas’ mom, Mary Lee Murray, on the phone and the two chatted for several minutes, before getting back to David. We said our good-nights and hung up.
Dad does ask a lot of questions that suggest he’s getting his bearings after being asleep for a month. That may be how it feels to him. Last night at dinner he asked what city the hospital was in. Tonight, he asked me where I was. He is mentally re-building his sense of location, time and place.
DAD IS THRIVING!
Elizabeth made a trip from Memphis to Nashville this week to see Dad. She spent all of the afternoon of December 17 and all day on December 18 with Dad. She found him making remarkable headway with his rehab. The morning of the 17th the physical therapist reported he had walked for the first time since November 9 using a walking frame – 1000 paces! Elizabeth saw him using the walker on the 17th. With no active support from the therapists, he used the frame to walk some 500 paces down a long corridor to a physical therapy gym. At the end of the rehab session, he returned again under his own power. Dad grows more alert and for longer intervals. His doctors have been using Ritalin to stimulate parts of the brain that create focus. It has had a dramatic effect.
On December 17, Mother, Elizabeth, and David joined Dad as he ate his evening meal. When David arrived at five Dad was lying in bed in his sweatsuit (Razorback red pants with stripes). A nurse came in and directed Dad’s movements to manuveur himself off the bed and onto his feet so he could sit in a waiting wheelchair. Then the nurse wheeled him in to a therapy/exercise room that had large tables. He joined three other patients at those tables for his hot meal. He now gets solid food that is prepped only by pre-cutting it to bite size chunks. He ate as well or better than any of the other three patients. A therapist was present to monitor how often the patients swallowed per bite. Dad had no problems.
He was completely alert and followed all conversation – only his bad hearing interfered. As part of therapy, the patients are left to feed themselves. Exercising motor control over muscles to feed themselves requires great concentration, and all ate very slowly. Dad had to be frequently prompted to take another bite, but he did eat his whole meal on his own.
On Friday December 18 at seven at night, David telephoned the room from home. Dad was awake and alert. Mom put Dad on the phone and he talked much as he might do before his stroke. I asked if he had had therapy that day, and he told me about walking more and spending time with hand activities. He told me he had talked to grandson Michael and that the latter was coping with 18 inches of new snow in Rochester, but that Michael would be planning to go to Tulsa soon for Christmas with his parents. Then Dad told me that the whole Tulsa crew would be coming at New Year’s to see Vanderbilt play the Music City Bowl. A very normal conversation for Pappaw. Grandchildren, children and in-laws, family gatherings and football.
I put Douglas’ mom, Mary Lee Murray, on the phone and the two chatted for several minutes, before getting back to David. We said our good-nights and hung up.
Dad does ask a lot of questions that suggest he’s getting his bearings after being asleep for a month. That may be how it feels to him. Last night at dinner he asked what city the hospital was in. Tonight, he asked me where I was. He is mentally re-building his sense of location, time and place.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
WEDNESDAY - 12/17
More news from David...
It’s Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at four o’clock Central time. I just got off the phone with Elizabeth, who is sitting with Dad in his room at the rehab hospital. She arrived this afternoon from Memphis. She spoke to Dad’s physical therapist who said that DAD WALKED ONE-THOUSAND FEET this morning. Apparently the Ritalin is doing its thing, because he has gotten focused in a big way in just three days since starting on it. Dad has three hours of non-stop therapy in the morning, which tires him out for the afternoon.
Dad’s memory seems to be good, even when he’s had a long day. Elizabeth said that on arriving this afternoon, she told Dad that Hampton’s Aunt Laura Beth had given him an Advent Calendar with pretty doors to open each day, showing a pretty new picture. Hampton rushed the season and opened all the doors. When he got to December 25 he deadpanned, “Ah, that baby Jesus. He’s such a cutie!” Dad enjoyed the joke and shortly afterword he fell asleep for awhile. When he woke up, he mentioned Hampton again, and said it looks like Hampton is a little rascal and always will be. So he clearly remembered what they had been discussing.
It’s Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at four o’clock Central time. I just got off the phone with Elizabeth, who is sitting with Dad in his room at the rehab hospital. She arrived this afternoon from Memphis. She spoke to Dad’s physical therapist who said that DAD WALKED ONE-THOUSAND FEET this morning. Apparently the Ritalin is doing its thing, because he has gotten focused in a big way in just three days since starting on it. Dad has three hours of non-stop therapy in the morning, which tires him out for the afternoon.
Dad’s memory seems to be good, even when he’s had a long day. Elizabeth said that on arriving this afternoon, she told Dad that Hampton’s Aunt Laura Beth had given him an Advent Calendar with pretty doors to open each day, showing a pretty new picture. Hampton rushed the season and opened all the doors. When he got to December 25 he deadpanned, “Ah, that baby Jesus. He’s such a cutie!” Dad enjoyed the joke and shortly afterword he fell asleep for awhile. When he woke up, he mentioned Hampton again, and said it looks like Hampton is a little rascal and always will be. So he clearly remembered what they had been discussing.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Update from David - December 15 & 16
Yesterday, December 15, I visited Dad at 3:00 pm and found him in bed in a darkened room. He was not wearing day clothes. After greeting me, he was soporific for the rest of the 40 minute visit. His nurse attended to an IV drip that she said was an antibiotic.
I asked how long Dad had been on Ritalin, and she said that she had started him on his first dose an hour before at 2:00 pm.
His daily schedule was posted and I saw that he has physical therapy non-stop from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm daily. The last hour is therapy during lunch. I thought maybe that was why he was so sleepy in the afternoon.
On December 16, I made a point of arriving in the morning, and found Dad at 10:00 am engaged in therapy. He was dressed in street clothes in a wheelchair and working in a large, specialized P.T. room down the hall from his room. There were four other patients and therapists also active in the room, so it was a hive of activity.
A speech therapist was with him and explained that they were discussing that Dad has had trouble sleeping soundly through the night because of noises and disruption on the floor. I asked him about his apnea machine and he said that he has been using it.
The speech therapist was succeeded by two physical therapists. They had Dad move himself, with their help, from the wheelchair over a board to an adjacent, raised, work-out mat. They encouraged him to keep himself sitting upright with his shoulders back and his head up. The lead therapist had him do an exercise with cards on a table before him numbered 1 to 12. She asked him to use his left arm to reach out to the cards and arrange them in numerical order. She had the table pushed away in such a way that Dad had to extend his arm fully to reach the most distant. He was able to do this task with help from the therapists pushing up from his elbow on the longest reaches.
The therapist then presented Dad with three colored buckets hanging on pegs on a stand that was arms-length from him. She asked him to name their colors and he did that immediately. She asked him to put the balls from the middle bucket into the uppermost bucket. He reached with his left arm and dragged it a foot closer! I guffawed, but she put it back and explained that reaching was part of the exercise.
I then left to keep an appointment. I returned at 2:30 pm to find Dad sitting in his room in his wheelchair. He still had his street shirt on although his legs were covered by a hospital gown. He remained alert and conversational during our visit, and he expressed interest in the day of the month, remarking that he supposed that it was the 15th. Close. It was the 16th.
I asked how long Dad had been on Ritalin, and she said that she had started him on his first dose an hour before at 2:00 pm.
His daily schedule was posted and I saw that he has physical therapy non-stop from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm daily. The last hour is therapy during lunch. I thought maybe that was why he was so sleepy in the afternoon.
On December 16, I made a point of arriving in the morning, and found Dad at 10:00 am engaged in therapy. He was dressed in street clothes in a wheelchair and working in a large, specialized P.T. room down the hall from his room. There were four other patients and therapists also active in the room, so it was a hive of activity.
A speech therapist was with him and explained that they were discussing that Dad has had trouble sleeping soundly through the night because of noises and disruption on the floor. I asked him about his apnea machine and he said that he has been using it.
The speech therapist was succeeded by two physical therapists. They had Dad move himself, with their help, from the wheelchair over a board to an adjacent, raised, work-out mat. They encouraged him to keep himself sitting upright with his shoulders back and his head up. The lead therapist had him do an exercise with cards on a table before him numbered 1 to 12. She asked him to use his left arm to reach out to the cards and arrange them in numerical order. She had the table pushed away in such a way that Dad had to extend his arm fully to reach the most distant. He was able to do this task with help from the therapists pushing up from his elbow on the longest reaches.
The therapist then presented Dad with three colored buckets hanging on pegs on a stand that was arms-length from him. She asked him to name their colors and he did that immediately. She asked him to put the balls from the middle bucket into the uppermost bucket. He reached with his left arm and dragged it a foot closer! I guffawed, but she put it back and explained that reaching was part of the exercise.
I then left to keep an appointment. I returned at 2:30 pm to find Dad sitting in his room in his wheelchair. He still had his street shirt on although his legs were covered by a hospital gown. He remained alert and conversational during our visit, and he expressed interest in the day of the month, remarking that he supposed that it was the 15th. Close. It was the 16th.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Report From David - Dad's 1st Week in Rehab
David visited Dad in his new room at Vanderbilt Rehab Hospital on Wednesday, December 10. He had been discharged the day before from the main hospital to the Rehab Hospital. This is his report...
I found Jim Miller, Cousin Frances Bartol Miller’s husband visiting with Dad. Jim, Frances and their six children live near Atlanta and Jim has always used every business trip to Nashville to visit with Dad and did not let this trip be an exception. Fortunately, he kept digging for a lead to Dad’s location when the main hospital desk said Dad had been discharged.
Attached are two photos of Dad. One shows Dad and Jim Miller together. The other shows Dad enjoying lunch and successfully manipulating his spoon to do it. During his fourth and final week in the medical hospital, Dad was restricted to pureed foods to reduce the chance that he will aspirate poorly chewed food. Now, the dietician and physical therapist have stepped him up to textured food.
He took the first two or three bites of food on his own and then became passive and still, so I took on the task of feeding him four bites of food and having him feed himself the fifth. Doing that, he cleaned his plate. It seems to me he chews very thoroughly and has normal swallowing reflexes, so surely they will let him have whole foods soon.
Dad was glad to see us both and enjoyed listening to our conversation. He continues to answer questions well after taking time to ponder. His nurse observes that he is able to do most one-step tasks, such as reaching for an object, but he has trouble thinking how to execute multi-step tasks. The stroke has affected his ability to think through how to execute steps two and three to reach a goal. Recovering those skills will also be a goal of rehab. Later in the visit he was drowsy and drifted off to sleep. I saw that he continues to sleep with the left eyelid slightly open.
By Friday the 12th, Mom had brought some easy-on clothes so that Dad can start wearing street clothes during the day. Putting them on each morning will be part of his rehab program. I understand from Mom that the staff put Dad in a wheelchair and took him to the Rehab hospital dining room for dinner on Thursday, so already he is starting to get with the program to become more mobile.
The picture of Dad dining also shows how clean and healthy the incision is at the back of his scalp where the neural fluid shunt was inserted.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Saturday - 12/13
Dad got moved to Stallworth Rehab Center on Wednesday. He would've been moved on Tuesday, except his insurance company balked and said he should just be sent to a skilled nursing facility (a nursing home). Well - his neurologist, Dr. O'Duffy basically said there was no way she was going to let her good work go to waste, so she took care of that - and Dad got moved on Wednesday.
They started working him right away. One big point is that now he gets to wear pants. They told Mom to go and get him some stretchy pants. She asked Dad what he wanted. He said to get black and navy blue. Anyone out there who wants to send him a Razorback shirt - jump right in. If it's a sweatshirt, it'll be good therapy for him to have to get it on over his head.
They started working him right away. One big point is that now he gets to wear pants. They told Mom to go and get him some stretchy pants. She asked Dad what he wanted. He said to get black and navy blue. Anyone out there who wants to send him a Razorback shirt - jump right in. If it's a sweatshirt, it'll be good therapy for him to have to get it on over his head.
Matt got to come for a visit. Conveniently, he had business over in Jackson and, conveniently, there was a Vandy basketball game to see in Nashville. So there you are, knocked off several birds with that one stone.
On Thursday Dad spent his non-rehab workout time sitting upright in a wheelchair. At suppertime they took him to the common dining room. Mom wasn't sure how much he actually got to eat since he's still not fully feeding himself. But, I can only imagine Dad, looking forward to getting to know all those new people!
Monday, December 8, 2008
MONDAY - 12/8
The big news today...
David left me a voice mail. Dad's moving to rehab tomorrow. It's in a non-connected building about a block from the main hospital, so he'll have to be transferred by ambulance.
And, Laura Beth reports that yesterday Dad sang "Happy Birthday" to her. I'm sure she's never heard it sound more sweet.
David left me a voice mail. Dad's moving to rehab tomorrow. It's in a non-connected building about a block from the main hospital, so he'll have to be transferred by ambulance.
And, Laura Beth reports that yesterday Dad sang "Happy Birthday" to her. I'm sure she's never heard it sound more sweet.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
SATURDAY - 12/6
Mom called this morning and I could tell by her voice that she's not feeling nearly as distressed as yesterday, and for good reason.
Dr. O'Duffy, Dad's neurologist, came by today and said that the infections (apparently there are 2) are being treated with another round of antibiotics and that the fever and white cells are trending down. She said Dad's continued level of alertness and awareness are both signs that the infection is not currently compromising him neurologically, so that's good. And, she says she hopes they can get Dad over to the rehab center by next week.
Mom also mentioned that Dad had started coughing and then had put his left (that's his LEFT!) hand up to cover his mouth. She was obviously quite impressed. So much so that when Steve called she told him the same story. Dad heard her, though, and said, "What's the big deal?"
On the physical therapy front, they've been getting Dad up and standing, supporting his own weight, at least once each day for the last several days. Yesterday they had Dad stand from the bed, turn 90-degrees, and sit in a chair.
And, Mom said Dad made one of his word related puns today. In response to being asked if he was behaving, he responded that he was trying, but was having a hard time being "have." Pronounce that with a hard "a" and you'll get the joke. Amazing how you can groan and be impressed at the same time, isn't it?
Dr. O'Duffy, Dad's neurologist, came by today and said that the infections (apparently there are 2) are being treated with another round of antibiotics and that the fever and white cells are trending down. She said Dad's continued level of alertness and awareness are both signs that the infection is not currently compromising him neurologically, so that's good. And, she says she hopes they can get Dad over to the rehab center by next week.
Mom also mentioned that Dad had started coughing and then had put his left (that's his LEFT!) hand up to cover his mouth. She was obviously quite impressed. So much so that when Steve called she told him the same story. Dad heard her, though, and said, "What's the big deal?"
On the physical therapy front, they've been getting Dad up and standing, supporting his own weight, at least once each day for the last several days. Yesterday they had Dad stand from the bed, turn 90-degrees, and sit in a chair.
And, Mom said Dad made one of his word related puns today. In response to being asked if he was behaving, he responded that he was trying, but was having a hard time being "have." Pronounce that with a hard "a" and you'll get the joke. Amazing how you can groan and be impressed at the same time, isn't it?
FRIDAY - 12/5
My cellphone rang while I was getting ready for work and I didn't get it, deciding I would listen to the voice mail and return the call on my way to work. Unfortunately, I then walked out of the house without my phone and so didn't hear the message till I got home tonight.
It was David who had called. He said Mom had just called and let him know that while Dad continues to be awake and alert his fever is persisting. She'd just spoken with the neurosurgeon who had stressed that there's a danger of the infection getting into the shunt. It it does, it would mean Dad would have to go back to the ICU and possibly have a surgery to remove the shunt. Needless to say, Mom is quite distressed.
Mom had just been saying a couple of days ago that in addition to finally feeling better physically, she knows she's getting stronger each day emotionally because of the progress Dad is making. I know that days like this drain some of that energy, but I also know that it only takes one smile or "I love you" from him for her to get it back.
It was David who had called. He said Mom had just called and let him know that while Dad continues to be awake and alert his fever is persisting. She'd just spoken with the neurosurgeon who had stressed that there's a danger of the infection getting into the shunt. It it does, it would mean Dad would have to go back to the ICU and possibly have a surgery to remove the shunt. Needless to say, Mom is quite distressed.
Mom had just been saying a couple of days ago that in addition to finally feeling better physically, she knows she's getting stronger each day emotionally because of the progress Dad is making. I know that days like this drain some of that energy, but I also know that it only takes one smile or "I love you" from him for her to get it back.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
THURSDAY - 12/4
I called the hospital directly tonight. If you have the patient's medical records code you can get a progress. The nurse's station transferred me into Dad's room, since his nurse was in there at the time.
She said Dad has had a pretty good day, fairly alert. However, he has a fever again, currently 101+. They've started culturing everything again and are putting him back on antibiotics.
Then she said, "He's awake, I'm going to give him the phone." I could tell she'd handed it off, so I waited. And waited. After a few seconds I heard her tell Dad to put the phone to his ear. She told him a second time, and he said, "I got it."
Then I had a very nice chat with my Dad. I asked him if he was doing ok. His response was, "Well, we've got a difficult situation here, but we've just gotta deal with it."
We talked about the family birthdays this week and about how Mom is doing. And I told him that we all know how hard he's working and how great he's doing. There were lots of I-love-you's and several I-miss-you's. As further evidence that he was plugged-in during this conversation he asked me if I was in Carlisle. I told him I am, but I'm already planning my trip to come back in January. He said he's looking forward to it.
Me too, Dad. Me too.
She said Dad has had a pretty good day, fairly alert. However, he has a fever again, currently 101+. They've started culturing everything again and are putting him back on antibiotics.
Then she said, "He's awake, I'm going to give him the phone." I could tell she'd handed it off, so I waited. And waited. After a few seconds I heard her tell Dad to put the phone to his ear. She told him a second time, and he said, "I got it."
Then I had a very nice chat with my Dad. I asked him if he was doing ok. His response was, "Well, we've got a difficult situation here, but we've just gotta deal with it."
We talked about the family birthdays this week and about how Mom is doing. And I told him that we all know how hard he's working and how great he's doing. There were lots of I-love-you's and several I-miss-you's. As further evidence that he was plugged-in during this conversation he asked me if I was in Carlisle. I told him I am, but I'm already planning my trip to come back in January. He said he's looking forward to it.
Me too, Dad. Me too.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
WEDNESDAY - 12/3
Three weeks ago tonight, my Dad joined in on the responses for his own Last Rites.
This morning I had a conversation with my Dad.
I called my Mom as I was on my way to work. She held the phone for Dad so I could say hello. He said hello to me, he asked me how I was. He told me (several times) that he loves me. I went to work crying and smiling.
This evening David called. He said he went by this afternoon and Dad was in an upright chair (they call it a Neuro Chair). Dad greeted David when he got there and was very awake and aware for the whole 20 minute visit. He participated in conversation, and when it lulled a bit he said, "So, today's Friday." David corrected him and said it's Wednesday, December 3rd, and there are a couple of birthdays in the family this week. Dad said, "Yes." David said that he knew that Pam's birthday is the 7th, but he couldn't remember which grandchild's birthday is also the 7th (sorry, Laura Beth). So, David asked if it would be Sarah's birthday and Dad replied, "No, not Sarah." David then consulted the calendar on his phone and acknowledged that it will be Laura Beth's day. Not too shabby.
Dad's taking all of his meds by mouth and they've removed the nasal tube.
Mom will be visiting Dad between 9 and 10 a.m. (Central) each morning if you want to call. He's in room 6013 and the phone number is 615-343-5062. Give him a ring - you know he loves to talk!
This morning I had a conversation with my Dad.
I called my Mom as I was on my way to work. She held the phone for Dad so I could say hello. He said hello to me, he asked me how I was. He told me (several times) that he loves me. I went to work crying and smiling.
This evening David called. He said he went by this afternoon and Dad was in an upright chair (they call it a Neuro Chair). Dad greeted David when he got there and was very awake and aware for the whole 20 minute visit. He participated in conversation, and when it lulled a bit he said, "So, today's Friday." David corrected him and said it's Wednesday, December 3rd, and there are a couple of birthdays in the family this week. Dad said, "Yes." David said that he knew that Pam's birthday is the 7th, but he couldn't remember which grandchild's birthday is also the 7th (sorry, Laura Beth). So, David asked if it would be Sarah's birthday and Dad replied, "No, not Sarah." David then consulted the calendar on his phone and acknowledged that it will be Laura Beth's day. Not too shabby.
Dad's taking all of his meds by mouth and they've removed the nasal tube.
Mom will be visiting Dad between 9 and 10 a.m. (Central) each morning if you want to call. He's in room 6013 and the phone number is 615-343-5062. Give him a ring - you know he loves to talk!
TUESDAY - 12/2
Back to work today. I stayed home yesterday to recover from whatever it was that decided to ravage my gastrointestinal system.
On my way there, Mom called to tell me she had really exciting news. Dad had just eaten scrambled eggs, sausage, and milk for breakfast! I guess he passed that swallowing study!
The next goal is to get Dad moved from step-down to the rehab center. For that to happen he's got to spend much more of the day awake and aware.
It was great to be able to spend my first day back with a smile on my face instead of being under a cloud of worry. Who knew I'd ever be this excited to know my Dad ate an egg?
On my way there, Mom called to tell me she had really exciting news. Dad had just eaten scrambled eggs, sausage, and milk for breakfast! I guess he passed that swallowing study!
The next goal is to get Dad moved from step-down to the rehab center. For that to happen he's got to spend much more of the day awake and aware.
It was great to be able to spend my first day back with a smile on my face instead of being under a cloud of worry. Who knew I'd ever be this excited to know my Dad ate an egg?
MONDAY - 12/1
I spoke to Mom around 1 this afternoon and asked when Dad will be moved. She said she asked the nurse that same question and got a shrug and an answer that these things happen on "hospital time." Coincidentally, Mom is at the house waiting for Sears to deliver her new washing machine. They just called to tell her they're running late and aren't really sure when they'll be there - in other words, they're on "Sears" time!
Amie posted the following on our Facebook -Lyle Family- Group Page after seeing Dad in his new room:
**I just saw Papa and he's in an upright "bed"! He's having trouble holding his head up but that's to be expected. He was awake and alert, and able to respond in conversation. His nurse told me they were taking him for a "swallowing study" this afternoon, where they'll videotape and track his ability to swallow without getting anything in his lungs. "Rehab/PT" is listed on his daily "goal" whiteboard, which is great! He's doing well and from what I saw, in reasonably good spirits.**
Phase 2 has finally begun.
Amie posted the following on our Facebook -Lyle Family- Group Page after seeing Dad in his new room:
**I just saw Papa and he's in an upright "bed"! He's having trouble holding his head up but that's to be expected. He was awake and alert, and able to respond in conversation. His nurse told me they were taking him for a "swallowing study" this afternoon, where they'll videotape and track his ability to swallow without getting anything in his lungs. "Rehab/PT" is listed on his daily "goal" whiteboard, which is great! He's doing well and from what I saw, in reasonably good spirits.**
Phase 2 has finally begun.
SUNDAY - 11/30
They're saying they'll transfer Dad tomorrow to the step-down unit. He's passed the fever/culture goals. Now - if he can just make it through till tomorrow without another infection popping up!
He was a little more awake today, Mom said. She's really hopeful about tomorrow.
I, probably from stress, spent all of last night being quite sick. Sarah dropped Samantha and Jackson off this morning so they can finish moving into the new house. I wish I could spend time with them, but it's really not a good idea - I don't feel like getting out of bed and there's always the chance I've got something they could catch. Not a good idea when she's got so much to do.
He was a little more awake today, Mom said. She's really hopeful about tomorrow.
I, probably from stress, spent all of last night being quite sick. Sarah dropped Samantha and Jackson off this morning so they can finish moving into the new house. I wish I could spend time with them, but it's really not a good idea - I don't feel like getting out of bed and there's always the chance I've got something they could catch. Not a good idea when she's got so much to do.
SATURDAY - 11/29
Up really, really early. AnneMarie's flight is at 6, so we're trying to get her to the airport by 5. We actually got there about 10 after, so not too bad. Twelve hours later we're back in Carlisle. I slept through most of the trip.
Mom said Dad had another drowsy day, but his fever is down and he's had another negative culture come back, which is a very good thing. One more negative culture, and one more day of no fever, and they should be able to kick him out of the ICU.
Mom said Dad had another drowsy day, but his fever is down and he's had another negative culture come back, which is a very good thing. One more negative culture, and one more day of no fever, and they should be able to kick him out of the ICU.
FRIDAY - 11/28
Mom says to go ahead and go back to Pennsylvania with Alex and Stuart tomorrow. I'm emotionally not ready to go, but I know I have to trust in her judgment.
We're at another low point - Dad's really drowsy, but he is a bit cooler today. That's a good thing.
There are a lot of things we're all trying to take care of for Mom before we leave, so we only spent a couple of hours at the hospital this morning. This evening AnneMarie and I came back over and just sat holding Dad's hands. I couldn't stop crying. I hate leaving before he's out of the ICU. I know he's in God's hands, and I know he has teams of angels working overtime.
It's going to be a long trip home.
We're at another low point - Dad's really drowsy, but he is a bit cooler today. That's a good thing.
There are a lot of things we're all trying to take care of for Mom before we leave, so we only spent a couple of hours at the hospital this morning. This evening AnneMarie and I came back over and just sat holding Dad's hands. I couldn't stop crying. I hate leaving before he's out of the ICU. I know he's in God's hands, and I know he has teams of angels working overtime.
It's going to be a long trip home.
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