Friday, November 27, 2009

Day 35

We had a restful and uneventful Thanksgiving. How about you?

Hubby, the guys and I ate turkey dinner early, and then they drove up to Denver for the football game. I brought Big Kid and Kitty dinner with all the fixin's at the care center.

The kid ate about half of his and conked out. ;-)

The stomach tube and pic line are coming out today or tomorrow. Joy!

The goal today (for me) is to get the boy into some underpants. Those gowns are way too short. Hubby has started referring to the kid as Fred Sanford, because he's still flashing all his junk around.

Some random thoughts from the past month:

I don't recommend the "Scared the sh*t outta me diet". I lost 10 pounds the first two weeks the Kid was sick, because everything tasted like ashes when I remembered to eat. Even worse is the "if you were any closer to death, you'd be dead diet". Big Kid has lost 40 pounds. He'd gained about 100 pounds as a side effect to depakote over the past few years, so he definitely had it to lose, but sheesh! What a way to lose it!

I'm never, ever going to be able to watch House, MD. again and give a little snicker when House treats the families of ill loved-ones facing death like chew toys. We had a taste of that. Not that this particular doctor had the malicious or perverse intent of being a total asshat, but his social skills lacked a certain something. So, as Hubby articulated---he wasn't quite a House, but more like a Bungalow. Although he was a brilliant doctor who helped save our boy's life, forever to us, he will be "Bungalow, M.D."

On Day 2 at the ICU, Hubby and I went into the family waiting room to unwind for a little while. I threw myself onto a loveseat, and Hubby sank into an armchair to the left of me. We were the only people in the room. A couple of minutes later the rocking chair to the right of me started rocking by itself. I was already at Defcon 1 on the terror scale, so it barely even registered. A little while later I asked Hubby if he had seen it, or if I was losing my mind. "I didn't want to say anything," he admitted. "You were already coming apart." We still have no idea WHAT in the heck that was.

People are kind. Many are virtual strangers and virtual friends (and virtual strangers who've become virtual friends). Being able to throw out my worst fears to the ether and ask for help and comfort in a world which is in the midst of chaos, and then have people extend to me a heartfelt lifeline is just incredible. You guys are incredible. You've helped keep me sane.

New day, new goals. Thanks for hanging in with us!

xo

22 comments:

Clippy Mat said...

some docs have NO bedside manner but we forgive them if they are good at what they do i suppose.
bungalow sounds like one of them.
glad you had a Happy Thanksgiving.
all the best,
:-)

Webster said...

I'm really thankful on this Thanksgiving (well, that was yesterday, but you know what I mean) for Big Kids remarkable come-back. I know he has a ways to go, but I also have no doubt that he'll do it. Eating his turkey dinner and promptly falling asleep is about as normal a behavior I can imagine for a guy. All that was missing was the football.

Now I hope you will be able to take some time for yourself and relax. But maybe that won't truly happen until BK comes home. Until then, be happy and be well.

Valerie Marie said...

I'm so thankfull! So thankfull!
I pray each day for BK, and for you all: Hubby, LG, Kitty and you, my dear ATM. The patient's family has to be strong all the time and it's very hard. Please: take care of you(and your poor knees)! ((hugs)) xoxo

Beth said...

The kindness of strangers/friends – kind of offsets the horrors we encounter, doesn’t it?
And you’re the incredible one – you and your entire family. ;)

Rootietoot said...

You've been through Hell, no doubt. Your ability to let it all hang out is something I admire, and I (ok I hope this doesn't sound WRONG) feel privileged to have shared in it somehow. Thank you for your honesty, and I am SO happy that all this as turned out OK.

litzi said...

Under the circumstances, it sounds like your Thanksgiving was pleasant and spiritually uplifting.

During times of traumatic upheaval, people do tend to reach out to one another (remember 9/11). Unfortunately, given our too busy schedules and short attention spans for most things, a lot of individuals move on to other issues very quickly.

It’ll be interesting to find out how Big Kid feels after the stomach tube and pic line are removed today.

Continued (((hugs)))

Kim Wombles said...

I'm so glad Big Kid's improving. We've had our brushes with the fear that sits like a lump of coal in your throat as you wonder if your child will live or die; to spend nearly a month in that state must have been horrendous. I hope that his recovery continues smoothly and quickly.

Jeanie said...

BK eating Thanksgiving dinner is what I would call a "big step." compared to what you were dealing with just a short while back. Relish the victory, and continue to take care of yourself. He still needs you.

Mrs. Hall said...

That bit about the rocking chair was awesome. Really, it makes sense. A huge meteor could have come crashing through the ceiling but really, your boy was sick and struggling in an ICU. Meteors don't mean nothing when all your instincts are focused on your son.

And yes, doctors that are really smart sometimes lack REALLY BASIC SOCIAL SKILLS. Like BEING NICE.

but yes, if he helped save your boy's life, Bungalow MD is a priceless name :)

Take care!! :)

Mrs. Hall said...

That bit about the rocking chair was awesome. Really, it makes sense. A huge meteor could have come crashing through the ceiling but really, your boy was sick and struggling in an ICU. Meteors don't mean nothing when all your instincts are focused on your son.

And yes, doctors that are really smart sometimes lack REALLY BASIC SOCIAL SKILLS. Like BEING NICE.

but yes, if he helped save your boy's life, Bungalow MD is a priceless name :)

Take care!! :)

Boozy Tooth said...

Of course you know that it was Big Kid's Guardian Angel who came to sit with you while, since he already knew Big Kid would make it.

They're comforting that way.

So happy for you!

yorksnbeans said...

So happy for all of you. I'm sure you are breathing and sleeping better now that the black cloud has finally blown away and left you sunny skies!

Charlie said...

It's hard to relate to what you've been through during the past month, not having been there myself, but hell on earth probably fits.

But then I look at the photo on Day 33, and you've got your boy back.

A true thankful event.

Joanna Jenkins said...

Wow, so much to be thankful for! What a journey you have all been on. I'm so glad you're seeing such great progress and Big Kid is eating and improving.

That rocking chair was the blog world sending love and support-- Next time we'll try to be a little more helpful... like maybe making lunch appear instead of the rocking chair :-)

Love ya girl! Keep up the good work.
xo

Chris H said...

Good name for the Dr.
Have fun getting underpants on your son! Maybe he likes flashing his junk!

Chicago Mom said...

Thank the Lord for all our blessing, great and small! I am SOOO happy that Big Kid is finally out of the woods!

St Jude said...

It's just brilliant to know that he is still mending well.

Jacqui said...

What? You mean that there are docs out there that do have a bedside manner?

Thinking of you and your brood.

Michelle Flaherty said...

SO glad to hear that your nightmare is finally coming to an end! Also happy to hear that everyone had a nice Thanksgiving. I'm sure you have a lot to be thankful for this year. :)

I got a good chuckle from the Bungalow, M.D. comment. Your comment should be a guest blogger on your blog as he seems to have the same witty and snarky personality as you! xo

Michelle Flaherty said...

Oops! That should have read...your husband should be a guest blogger... I think I'm still recovering from our Thanksgiving Day feast and my brain hasn't come out of the food coma yet, lol.

Willoughby said...

"Uneventful" sounds good to me! I couldn't have wished for a better Thanksgiving for you. I'm sure that, by now, you're looking forward to downright boring days!

I'm glad to hear he will be getting rid of some more tubes. It's one step closer to getting back home.

Take care!

Traci said...

So glad that your Thanksgiving was restful. I know you had much to be thankful for. You continue to be in my prayers. Thank you for sharing your journey.