While Dan continues taking daily baby steps to being rehabilitated, a few other challenges loom in the shadows. We’re waiting (naturally) for complete CAT scan reports on his lungs and his liver that were done in the last 24 hours.
Back in ICU, the blood infection had infiltrated his lungs and showed up as bacteria nodules. Even though that now looks improved, there’s something not quite normal about his lungs, and the docs need to review it more closely to see if it was something there before – what exactly, I have no idea.
Meanwhile Dan’s liver is misbehaving by increasing its function putting out higher enzyme levels throughout his system – if that makes any sense. It is causing him to have a yellow-tint in the whites of his eyes and his skin to look a bit jaundis.
Other than that, he’s doing great! He is able to eat banannas, rice, toast, apple sauce, broth and other ‘clear’ liquids. He is more alert and determined to do the taxing physical therapy excercises. Every day since Monday, I’ve seen him improve over all and it is so encouraging. Yet every time they order a test, my heart goes to my throat and my mind starts reeling. It must be post-traumatic stress disorder because I go into auto-panic!
Then there are moments like the one that just happened: I heard Dan struggling and when I looked over my shoulder, he was putting his knit hat on his head using both arms and hands. It took some finessing but he did it! It is so wonderful to see him able to move again and do a little more each day. I don’t want anything to take that away. No more setbacks just forward progress. My patience is growing thin; I want us to come home! I miss my husband, my son, my pets, my friends, my job…it all hits me as being so insane – and it really is. Yet I realize we didn’t get this far overnight and I must find my patience once more. Afterall, baby steps can be extraordinary.
April 4, 2009 at 11:11 pm |
Unbelievable, but as we know Dan can get through this. You’re both rocks and have the spirit! Saying more prayers now.