R & R DAY

You know what happens the day after a marathon?!  You must recuperate and regroup.  That is what Lee has had to do today.  All that walking took the "wind out of his sails" yesterday.  When I left him about an hour after the walk, unfortunately he went into atrial fib again and had to be shocked.  The decision for today was to slow down a bit, just get him up to the chair and eliminate the walk.  When I got there at 12:00, he had been in the chair since about 10:00.  At 1:00, they decided to get him out of the chair and have him take several steps to the bed.  There were two small nurses helping him, holding him under each arm.  I was handed something to hang to hold.  I heard him say "Please hurry" and the next thing we knew, the BP dropped out from under him and his knees buckled to the floor.  The nurses held on and were able to get him back into the bed.  He was out for a few seconds, but did not go into atrial fib and his blood pressure quickly recovered when he was lying flat.  WHEW!!!!

As you can see, each day and each part of the day can be very different.  His condition is stable most of the time but can still rapidly go into an unstable situation.  That is why he is still in the critical intensive care unit and has not been allowed to step-down into the intensive care that focuses on walking at this time. 

I want you to know that he appears very discouraged at this time because he has not progressed as fast as he had anticipated.  He continues to have some pain and had to have some medication for that today.  I reminded him that he moved ahead so quickly prior to surgery that he is still ahead of the game.  He has plenty of time to get over the operative procedures and time to allow his heart to adjust to all the trauma to his body.  His lung is functioning beautifully.  He does not need any oxygen.  They do, however put the nasal cannula in when they get him up to hopefully prevent the faint.  Usually it is only 0.5-1 liter.  Very little!

Lee loves to receive mail, card, ets.....I am asking that you continue to send some cards.  He really enjoys that and it always brings a smile to his face when he gets them.  He doesn't get many now and I'm hoping my blog has not caused that to happen.  Please send to:
Duke Tower Condos
807 W Trinity Avenue
Durham, N. C.    27701

He needs cheering up right now and I know I can count on all of you to help with that.  Thank you again for your loyalty , your prayers and your committment to both of us during this difficult time in our lives.
More Later.................................Brenda