Friday evening - gradually better

Dear Friends and Family,
Nan is waiting patiently for some Zophram and perhaps something to settle her burning stomach. The liquid food that is being fed through the nose tube has been increased from 10 to 20 per hour and her body is beginning to notice it. She walked a short distance today after coming back from the visit to the ultra sound where the small clot was discovered. Her knees hurt a lot and she had to turn back on her walk. She sat in the chair for 30 minutes and then headed back to bed and was very tired. Later PT came and put her through an extensive set of exercises, a real workout. Then she went to sleep for awhile. Later she asked if we would help her sit up on the side of the bed which she did for awhile. Then she went back to bed and has slept pretty well or watched Law and Order on TV. She wakes and we talk or Dana and her talk for a bit and then she gets tired. She has had some pain today and was given a tiny bit of pain control which this time did not knock her out for the rest of the day, that is progress.
The nurse just came in with her Nexium since her tummy was sort of acid feeling. She also told Nan that a culture that was taken in ICU has turned out to be positive for something that grows in the nose. They are moving out her roomate now and will be wearing gowns from now on when they work on Nan. We asked if there is a solution or antibiotic and were told there is none. They say Nan could have come into the hospital with the bug or could have gotten it here. Anyway the bug does not represent itself in any manner and heals itself without meds of any kind. But it means Nan will have a private room the rest of the time she is here in the hospital and since its their problem I don't think we will have to pay the extra money per day. Since there are no private rooms right now we get this whole room for the time being. Nan is so tired that she is not elated or sad, just tired through and through. So far the Nexium has not touched her tummy ache, perhaps soon. Dana has left to head to bed early but I can't leave this early when Nan is still awake. We have been very impressed with the level of care here today, gentle, professional and compassionate.
Has Nan made progress today? Not sure, I think so due to all the muscle exercises PT put her through and based on her sore muscles as well.

We had a nice touch this afternoon. Jason and Jo called from South Africa. How wonderful to hear their musical voices over the distance. Nan talked to both of them for quite a bit. So we have had some real highs today. I got to talk to Nikki this morning and a couple days ago Nan got to talk to Keanna and Nikki both. That was a great conversation.

So another week draws to a close and as last week so this week, Nan is much improved, stronger, healthier, more herself and a week closer to her own home, her own bed and her own doggie Starr. God has blessed us this week in so many ways, kidneys are working better now, GI bleed has ceased, blood clot has been found and factored in, Nan has started walking, sitting up and gaining ground. Nan and I have been blessed with visits from Marilyn, Roxanna and Dana. Each of them means so much to us and helps us as we pass through this unusual experience. Thanks to Roxanna and Marilyn I have fresh laundry and even some new clothes, thanks to Julie, Jo's mom, I have lots of snacks and good food to eat, thanks to Sharon I still have spending money for meals. And thanks to all of you for praying for Nan's recovery. Your prayers have fueled a miracle for Nan and she is tired tonight but much better than a week ago. I'll get back here in the morning between 6:30 and 7:30 depending on how well I can sleep tonight. I have a lot more confidence in the nurses of this wing than I did last night and I think Nan is in great hands. She just got her Zophran and it will help her nearly immediatelly.

So for this friday, good night and God bless you.

love

tim and nan