More from 11/14

So what to say about today?

I guess we'll  start with some "famous lines from Sharon.  "1.) "I am feeling a bit short of breath but it's good."

...always a model of optimism like her father... 

2.) Don't forget your red pillow....always remembering that last thing that's left in the hotel room when we depart. In this case the "hotel" was the ICU.

3.) "Remember to tell her we're in Rm515."...reminding me that we'd not informed Gwenn, who arrived back in SD today, that we'd moved out of ICU. Thank you for being aware and taking care of the details my ailing wife....

4.) "I'm lready fo my spleech not to slound flunny."  My personal favorite on the day because it made me laugh so much.  Not sure if it's the sores in her mouth or the dryness due to all the O2 input but either way her speech patterns are currently not up to snuff.

Next up a Timeline:

11/13

10:30pm Moving from ICU to Room 515. We are on the same floor, so that was nice yet, so sad because the night nurse in ICU was a treat. Not to worry the night nurse at 515 was equally sweet and just as capable. She kept wanting to "hear our story".  People never need to worry and yet we do. Trust is always an option when worry presents itself. We choose today to just walk one step at a time on this journey and take them as God leads.

11/14     6:15 AM

As I sit on the step of the apartment, shaved, and showered, ready to go to the hospital, enjoying the cool air as the sun rises while the birds chirp I entertain the question that so many have asked me "are you taking care of yourself?"  Well the past couple nights, thanks to Lana, I've  gotten 5-7 hrs sleep a night. That's a lot more than Sharon has. Praise God for peace of mind from the Lord to allow a weary mind to rest. A "big spider" found in the bathroom by my brave accomplice Josh is "not very big anymore".  Thank you God for non homo sapien sources to release some  frustration on. A week ago, while still back in Taiwan, I put the fear of God in three dogs that made the errant choice of chasing after me on my bike ride.  Were there to have been some aerial drone footage of that event it would surely go viral.  Moving on, the tendinitis in my left foot is not slaying me every step today.  After 6 days I'm glad to not be "hop a long Cassidy" anymore but a part of me is sad as well. Sharon is struggling. I should be struggling also, sure we both struggle in our hearts but joining her in a humble bit of physical difficulty has been oddly therapeutic.  Josh and I pull up to Einstein bagels. I tip the the cashier for contributing to a good start for what will, in all likelihood, be a challenging day and also the guy behind the counter who noticed the arrival of a customer before he entered the store, placing the order long before the surprised fellow arrived at the counter. I thanked the attendant for looking out for others. Examining this short review I feel like "I'm taking care of myself" but in this current public life we are living I'll allow myself to remain open to suggestion if you see some gaps.

7:15AM

When I arrive at the hospital Sharon's breathing is decidedly laboured and, as afore mentioned, her speech slurred.  The day nurse enters. Praying nurse #3. She delivers,  at her suggestion, as has been the case with each of them, this crazy good prayer.  Tears stream down my face...again.

8:30AM

A dorm son arrives to visit. "I thought you were coming this evening." I say "Uh" he responds. It's all good God is in control. This young man was just the companion that Josh needed during this day.  Later in the day on parting, with eyes brimming, he thanks Sharon for her influence in his life.

8:45AM

Breakfast arrives. Sharon chow's down half a bowl of cream of wheat all the while eyeballing the covered cup of coffee on the side. It's been a month since she had a cup. She gets out of bed and sits in a chair and we each share a coffee just like we have on thousands of mornings in the past 27 years. Clearly the best part of my day.  

9:00 AM

Two doctors follow. Their information is inconclusive and just leaves more questions.  This is not their fault at all. They simply report on what is a difficult case.  The expression of one feels sympathetic the other does not.  I was glad that my ire was mostly spent on the encounter with the dogs last week. We say our piece and part with our variant perspectives on amicable terms.   Praise God.  Next up is the PT from day 1.  "If 1/3 of my patients could be as motivated as you Sharon."  Much needed encouragement in that moment. So many wonderful new friends here from the Sharps Medical Center family.  Some seem to feel a bit awkward at my desire to connect yet after a brief spell are drawn to it. Jesus wants us all to connect. That's what heaven will be full of.  I've felt that here this week but it appears I may also be losing one connection, for a time anyway, that has become most dear of all.  Those letters are hard to type.  I'd gladly accept the unbelievable party it would be if we were to walk out of here hand in hand.  "Not my will but thine..."

10:30AM

Gwenn, Don and her father Art arrive. I really don't know where the rest of the day went. We took turns in our small private room listening to Sharon breath like an old fashioned steam locomotive. That's the best way I can describe it. She's been like that for several days. I'm tuckered just listening to her. She's one tough customer. It's like one long old time movie when the trains come in the station, only in this one the scene is put on an endless repeating loop.

Later in the afternoon she sits up to have "tea" (ice chips for Sharon) with her father as they also have on thousands of occasions.  Sharon, sitting in a chair again for a bit, puts her feet up on the bed much as she would if she were out on the deck up at our cabin in the UP.  Clearly the best part of Art Stejskal's day. The question is did Sharon enjoy morning coffee or afternoon tea more?  I suggest we just call it a draw.

It took energy and time to decide if James and Mark should come back out today or not.  In the end it feels like the right call. They are pretty incredible. I contacted them just after noon and they packed, made a 3 hour drive to Dallas and were on a 10:00pm flight west. Uncle Tim McGill would be so proud.  A Morrison alum who read the short blog message today offered to pick them up, get In & Out Burger and drop them at the hospital. They arrived here just in time to say "good night" to Sharon.  

7:00 PM

"Is this really her respiratory rate?" asks the new night nurse as she's checking in.  "Yes. Respiratory knows," responds praying nurse #3.  As noted earlier and is now substantiated Sharon has been breathing heavy for the past three days non stop.  As we all know she is a fighter. I'm proud of her, sad for her, and hurt with her.  I'm curious about her future.  I wish it to be less challenging than these past days have been. I think there might finally be some cannabis on the way tomorrow. That should help one way or another.

Until later

Shalom

Terry

PS: In retrospect I may be getting a bit wordy.  I can hear our college professor saying, "cut it in half."  I'm going to accept that I get the pass on this one.  It's been therapeutic, tears and all, so thank you all for bearing with.   We so appreciate all of you supporting us in so many ways and journeying with us in prayer.