I suppose "One step at a time" is our mantra now. Lee is definitely taking it seriously. Today he walked twice in the hallway and each time he walks he moves further along with more steps. He can now walk to the nurses station and beyond. This is usually a total of about 60 feet. You should see all the paraphanalia it takes to keep him moving! Everything that he is still connected to goes right along with him down the hallway. These nurses have it down to a fine art. The entire monitoring system is removed from the stationary one and becomes a portable that is hung onto the swedish walker he uses when he walks. He literally looks like a project from Frankenstien's lab. He is walking while connected to his chest tube, foley catheter bag & tubing, pic-line with all 6 connections in one arm and another I.V. line with 6 connections in the other. There are also the I.V. bags that are carried along in addition to the tube feeding that has become a part of his nose at the moment. ( Hopefully this will be removed Mon. or Tues.) Hard to believe that about half of his connections have already been removed! A family member follows along behind in a wheeling chair just in case he has a problem and needs to sit. This is no ordinary small chair, this is a rolling recliner! From this description you can just imagine that we make quite the parade!
Lee did all this very well today! His blood pressure remained stable and his heart did not get out of rhythm. It has now been over 72 hours since he has had Atrial Fib. He recovered very quickly. Each time he walks he will get stronger and stronger. He continues to have pain but the nurses are very good about seeing that he is relieved of his discomfort. Usually after the walk, he will sit up in the chair for a couple of hours and if he becomes too uncomfortable the pain medication is given so he can rest a while.
Isn't it wonderful to know that all this activity is with NO oxygen!? The lung is still functioning beautifully. Just need to keep the heart strong.
Today was such a beautiful day in Durham. Doug stayed all day with his Dad and my brother Dennis took me through Duke Gardens and we enjoyed a picnic by the water. It was a good respite for me. I want to thank you for responding with comments and for all the wonderful cards you sent to Lee. You are great BLOG followers! Thank you for your prayers and all your love.........more later........Brenda
Hey mom...I just tuned in and you just posted. Michaela's got home an hour ago and is asking about Grandaddy---she's been keeping up with your blog. I love you guys and will check in later --julia
ReplyDeleteYou are a wounderful writer, sister. I enjoyed talking to you on the phone today, and I'm so glad our brother Dennis was with you. It sounds like it was a wonderful day. Lee has such determination... I knew that he would do it!
ReplyDeleteBrenda, I'm so glad Lee is improving each day. He looks really good in the pictures and I can't wait to read your comments each day. We are praying for you both. We miss you so much in Sunday School. We had our first tomato from Bob's garden today and it was so good. Wish we could give you some.
ReplyDeleteLove, Vivian
Brendaa, Lee looks very determined to get out of the hospital and to get home which is a good thing. His attitude is upbeat and I'm so proud of his progress. Keep up the walking and we will keep you both in our prayers.
ReplyDeleteBill & Debbie