Today was a pretty big day; Jon had a CT scan that came back clean, so they removed the EVD from his head. Such a big relief, as this means he is on his way to the regular section of the neuro floor, and out of ICU. Next I'm hoping that the speech therapist clears him for some jello and other soft foods by mouth, so we can work toward getting the feeding tube out. One step at a time, I suppose.
Physically, he's still strong as an ox, and as most of you know, my husband is not a small person. So for a while he had his hands restrained to stop him from pulling out his IV, feeding tube, and the port line running from the top of his head. He wasn't doing it in any aggressive way, more the way we unconsciously scratch at bug bites when we're asleep, or rub our eyes. So by the time I arrived this morning, in addition to the restraints, he also had soft white padded hand wraps on both hands, like baby boxing gloves.
That's you, honey, a fighter, sturdy as a water buffalo, stubborn as a mule, faithful as the horse year you were born in.
This morning Lang came from OT, got you out of your bed, and you brushed your teeth, washed your face, and put on your socks. Lang is an energetic Vietnamese dude, reminds me a lot of the relatives on your side, and he claims his BMI puts him in the obese category, although I can't imagine it. If he's obese that would make Jon and me planetary. He also got you to open a bottle of deodorant and put it on on both sides. Now if only he could teach that trick to our teenagers.
Right after, you dozed for a bit, and seemed to have a fitful dream of some kind, as you were furrowing your brow, and your cranial pressure went up and down. Fortunately, your nurse Marzanna was there to tell me that is pretty normal. Cranial pressure goes up for everyone when we're straining in some way, even when having a bowel movement. (Who knew, right?) Our cranial pressure doesn't hold steady all day. I always imagine the brain just floating all day, like we see in jars in science fiction movies.
Then James came by from neurosurgery and took out the EVD (right in the room--convenient! It's the drive-by Inn and Out Burger of surgery.) Right after James finished up, Charysse and Natalie from PT came by, and what do you know? You went for a stroll down the hallway. Less than 5 minutes of having your head procedure. Modern medicine continues to surprise me. And you will always surprise me.
We let you stand, and then rest in the chair for a moment, and after a nap, Charysse asked you if you want to be in the chair or in the bed. She wasn't going to let you get away with not answering, and not saying what you want. Nope, you're not getting any slack from her, and wouldn't you know it? She got you to lift yourself from the chair to the bed on your own. So you've had a pretty full day today already.
Love,
Min
Physically, he's still strong as an ox, and as most of you know, my husband is not a small person. So for a while he had his hands restrained to stop him from pulling out his IV, feeding tube, and the port line running from the top of his head. He wasn't doing it in any aggressive way, more the way we unconsciously scratch at bug bites when we're asleep, or rub our eyes. So by the time I arrived this morning, in addition to the restraints, he also had soft white padded hand wraps on both hands, like baby boxing gloves.
That's you, honey, a fighter, sturdy as a water buffalo, stubborn as a mule, faithful as the horse year you were born in.
This morning Lang came from OT, got you out of your bed, and you brushed your teeth, washed your face, and put on your socks. Lang is an energetic Vietnamese dude, reminds me a lot of the relatives on your side, and he claims his BMI puts him in the obese category, although I can't imagine it. If he's obese that would make Jon and me planetary. He also got you to open a bottle of deodorant and put it on on both sides. Now if only he could teach that trick to our teenagers.
Right after, you dozed for a bit, and seemed to have a fitful dream of some kind, as you were furrowing your brow, and your cranial pressure went up and down. Fortunately, your nurse Marzanna was there to tell me that is pretty normal. Cranial pressure goes up for everyone when we're straining in some way, even when having a bowel movement. (Who knew, right?) Our cranial pressure doesn't hold steady all day. I always imagine the brain just floating all day, like we see in jars in science fiction movies.
Then James came by from neurosurgery and took out the EVD (right in the room--convenient! It's the drive-by Inn and Out Burger of surgery.) Right after James finished up, Charysse and Natalie from PT came by, and what do you know? You went for a stroll down the hallway. Less than 5 minutes of having your head procedure. Modern medicine continues to surprise me. And you will always surprise me.
We let you stand, and then rest in the chair for a moment, and after a nap, Charysse asked you if you want to be in the chair or in the bed. She wasn't going to let you get away with not answering, and not saying what you want. Nope, you're not getting any slack from her, and wouldn't you know it? She got you to lift yourself from the chair to the bed on your own. So you've had a pretty full day today already.
Love,
Min
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