There's absolutely no question about it: every time I see Dad, he's a little bit more alert. This morning I walked into the ICU at about 6:45AM, and there he was with his eyes open. I waved at him and he saw me from across the room. So his awareness is extended to a further horizon: yesterday it seemed like I had to be in close for him to know that I was there. His eyes track mine, and then he looks past me when one of the medical staff enters, looking at that new person, then back to me. I went through the events again, and told him that he will need to listen to the story again and again until he's able to tell me himself to shut up. He squeezes my hand a lot, and even smiles and nods a little. Caleb from the lab came in to take several blood samples, so that can culture whatever is attacking him and figure out what counterpunch to deliver. His blood pressure was great when I came in, then spiked again the Caleb stuck him with a needle. He clearly felt pain. I tried to remember for Carole what the diastolic blood pressure was, but am unable to remember now. I find myself getting confused a lot -- misplacing things even when I try to take care not to, forgetting that the car keys are already in the ignition with the engine running which I frantically search my pockets and my purse thinking that I've lost my keys.
I read him all the comments from this blog, and I think there was a particular smile about Jonny his 15-year-old neighbor. My father has a strong and quirky share of the human spirit, and I like to think that Jonny benefits from exposure to that growing up.
It's amazing how life comes down to one person holding the hand of another.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
It's 60 degrees in sunny Albany NY, so I took the oppportunity to leave the office and play in the nicer weather for a change. All I hear is the sound of snow melting all around me, and it sounds wonderful. This may seem cold to you west coast people, but for us to see this weather in January is an absolute blessed event.
OK. Dick was put on the antibiotics on Saturday. Was he showing any signs of infection then, or was it prophylactic in preparation for the trach surgery? If he was running a temperature or if his white blood cells were elevated, that would indicate an infection was starting. But, if he developed the pneumonia after being on the antibiotic for 48 hours, then part of me wonders if he needs a second antibiotic, or a different one altogether. I suppose todays blood work will tell them something, but blood cultures take awhile to run, and then figuring out which antibiotic the germs are sensitive to will add some additional time. I"m not very patient when it comes to waiting sometimes.
Glad to hear that Uncle Dick is smiling, and starting to examine his surroundings. He's gotta be real curious about all the machines, and the various noises they all make when alarms go off. ICU is no place to try to catch up on your sleep!
Have they said when they hope to sit him up more, or even get him out of the bed?
I had to laugh at your description of looking for your car keys. I usually frantically search for my glasses, only to find them on my forehead. and I sure don't have the exuse of the distractions that you have. Maybe we should just blame the Hein genes!
Dick,
I am saddened to hear the news of your plane crash and I send you all my BEST thoughts of recovery.
You have been a wonderful colleague and friend.
I miss our intellectual talks where we save the world from George Bush!
Please have a positive attitude and keep your thoughts skyward to the time soon when you can fly again!
Your old friend Ron Carter
Hi Dick,
It's Laura your Neighbor, I'm at work. I understand you smiled when you heard about Jonny's comment and it made me cry. I'll let Jonny know about it when I pick him up from school today. It'll make him so happy to know that you smiled about him!!! I pray that you keep your spirits up and maybe we can come by for a very short visit. It's so nice to know that you're improving daily. Kick that infection!!!! Blessings, Laura & Jonny
Post a Comment