These past 5 days have been pretty tough. We came back from Mexico, thinking we would have a quiet, restful couple of weeks. We thought both of us would have time to rest and get ready for Christmas. It was not meant to be. I thought we had taken every precaution we could take to avoid Doug getting sick. We had the carpets cleaned and house sterilized before returning home. We had the car cleaned to be sure it would be safe for Doug. We bought new dog beds for Stryder. We sanitized the seat belt, seat and trays on the plane. Doug wore a mask all the way home from Mexico. But alas, somehow he picked-up something. The doctors think that he has a virus with a sinus infection. His body was somewhat septic. He has been very, very sick with this new immune system.
When I left last night his nurse was very concerned about Doug. He is a nurse that has been with him since he was admitted. I really appreciated having him. He was very honest and very caring. I thought he would be with us one more night but apparently he got rescheduled. I am disappointed he is not here. However our new night nurse comes recommended by our friend Bev. Bev is an instructor in nursing. He was one of her students. She was here visiting tonight when he came in to meet us. Her recommendation makes me feel better. We are also loosing one of his day nurses today. She has been great and we have so appreciated her. She is very attentive and proactive. She will be back on Thursday, but hopefully we won't be here then.
Dan left for home this morning and I had a doctor's appointment and so Angie and Tom came and stayed with Doug. I am not comfortable leaving him alone because he cannot advocate for himself. The staff often ask him questions, that he really can't answer yet.
The good news is that today Doug was more awake and was talking more. He could pay attention to some conversation and he seemed more aware of what was going on around him. His temperature has been down all day. His coughing is much reduced. His blood pressure has been good. His heart rate is still high, however they are giving him medication to lower his heart rate. Hopefully that will start to come down. They got him up and put him in a chair for a while today and he tolerated it pretty well. He has edema now from all the fluids they have been pumping into him and so they are now treating the edema. I got him to eat some lemon meringue pie. This is the first thing he has eaten since Thursday. We have been worried that he is not eating or drinking anything and so this was a big hurdle.
Waking up this morning, I was afraid of the direction this was all going. But coming in today everything looks more hopeful. All the numbers are going in the right direction. Doug is more coherent and he was willing to try to drink and to eat something. I am so glad for these improvements. I know we will both sleep better tonight
Holy and Life Giving Lord, be with us during this time of darkness, Fill us with hope to sustain in these times of distress. Guide our thinking, so that we make choices that lead us to wellness and wholeness. Fill us with joy with each step of recovery. In your name we ask it. Amen
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