Today I was able to talk to Lee's surgeon and I can say without hesitation and with correctness that Lee must walk 20 laps in A 24-HOUR period before he can leave the unit and come back to the condo. I was wrong about the 20 consecutive laps................that is what he will have to accomplish @ the Center for Living and will have six weeks to work on that. What a relief!!!
So.............how was today? Again, this morning was busy , busy, busy with workers from all different areas of the hospital. When I arrived, he was sitting up in bed and I was delighted to hear that he had a good night's sleep. He appeared more rested and his voice was stronger. It wasn't long after until the traffic began. First, the nurses came in and introduced one that was in training and would be working as a team for Lee. There was much activity with hanging of I.V's, meds and checking drainage tubes. Next, the physical therapist came and it was time for the walk. Lee had no sooner recovered from the walk when someone from x-ray department came to take him down for an x-ray. As soon as he returned, two workers with an ominus looking maching appeared and announced it was time to put a camera down his nose and make pictures of his swallowing mechanism.
At that point I was so tired just watching him get tired that I decided to opt out on that procedure. When I returned, I almost panicked when I saw how blue he was around his mouth. Being a nurse, my first impression was, "Oh, No, he is cyanotic!" A closer inspection revealed that his teeth were also blue! I then realized that a dye had been used during the procedure. After I settled my anxiety, I had him brush his teeth and rinse, rinse, rinse! He still has a now-green tongue but at least I know what it is. He just looks a little like a "smurf".
After a rest period of about an hour, it was time for another walk. His blood pressure was very low, but it was decided that he would still have to walk. As he began he was "light-headed" but seemed to improve as he walked. Near the end of the walk he asked to go back to his room. Unfortunately, he had gone into atrial fib again. After about 40 minutes he actually got back into a normal sinus rhythm but they gave him the medicine to regulate anyway.
His surgeon and one of the lung-transplant coordinators came in and he said that Lee could start taking thickened liquids all the time along with the stomach tube that is in for nutrition. He as been taking this with his medicine for the past two days. He also said the chest tube could be removed. Another leash unleashed!
I left earlier today because Doug arrived and will stay and help him walk two more times. I knew it was time for some relief and it was good to know he was there to help his Dad. I can rest easy away from him this evening.
Today was a better day..........................Still a long way to go but at least PROGRESS! Those prayers are working.............keep them coming!.................More later..........................Brenda
It was so good to know that Lee had a better day. I can see how it must be so tiring for him. This will not last forever. Every day he is getting stronger.
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I am making a peach pie after hearing that you enjoyed one with Dennis and Betsy yesterday. I'm thinking of you as I cook. Beth is doing better and she and Jonathan joined me at the BBQ for a hotdog after Jonathan got a good report with the dentist.
As always, I love and miss you both and anxiously await to hear of his progress each day.
Love, Bonnie
Bremda & Lee It is soo good to hear that Lee is making this progress. Sounds as though he doesn't have a very long rest period between all the doings of the day!! Guess that is what is going to get him better. Just knhow that we are praying for both of you constantly. Lood forward to your daily blog. Take care. Dorothy J.
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