Wednesday's news:
I arrived this morning to a very bright Gord and the day just got better and better with him having phone conversations with good friends and responding beautifully.
Then it all crashed down.
The physiotherapists came in, had him stand a couple of times and then inserted him in an ordinary wheelchair. Not sure where our "special" chair is but it is so typical of the promises that are made and not kept. I took him on a tour of the hallways and while we were out in the main hall, I noticed his right leg was off the footrest. I leaned down to put it back up and his leg was absolutely stiff. I looked at him and he was red in the face, hunched over and completely out of it. I screamed for help and a nurse passing by helped me bend his knee (which was rigid) to get it back on the footrest and I bolted back to the unit for help. I thought he was dead! It was horrifying. Good news is - he wasn't. We think his blood pressure dropped and he just couldn't take it. Needless to say after we got him back in bed he slept the afternoon away. He was still dozy when Stacy arrived this evening to relieve me. Now we have something else to pray for, and that is that today was not a setback! He was doing so well. And yes I do understand he will have good days and bad days. Let's hope for more good than bad.
Gord is being prepared for his surgery tomorrow to insert the feeding tube directly through his abdomen. They will send a scope down his throat and check for ulcers and general condition of the stomach. I guess it has a light on it and they watch for the light from the outside to find the most appropriate place to make the incision. The tube goes down his throat and then is pulled through the abdomen wall and has a little stopper on it so it won't slip out. Of course if Gord pulls hard enough it WILL come out so we have another thing to watch. He will be sore for a few days so I would ask the visitors be kept to a minimum until next week. We may be transferred to another floor (10th) to a ward - because they need the room. But then, most of the plans have not come to fruition so we may stay just where we are for a while.
That's all I have for now.
Have a great day everyone! AGAIN!
Love
Sheila
PS The days are getting longer, the sunsets are very pretty and the weather is fairly warm so I am having a pleasant weather experience here in Calgary.
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Hi Sheila, Oh man, what a day YOU had. You're right though, there will be good days and bad. Two steps forward and one step back is not a bad thing. We loved talking to Gord today, He may not realize it but, He sure made OUR day. To just hear his voice was amazing. Richard said his laughter was a strong indication of Gord being part of everything. Stay sane and safe :) Love you, Evelyn & Richard
ReplyDeleteHi Sheila, Thinking of you and Gord always. We know there are ups and downs and all arounds. You are doing a stellar job of hanging on and hanging in there and being by Gord's side and strong for you both. You must be exhausted by your experiences today - here is hoping the angel's are giving you a good sleep night with sweet dreams an a restful time - love, s & k
ReplyDeleteSheila here....just on my way to hospital but wanted to convey an idea to my Maui girlfriends: I would love it if you would finish the trip Su and I were making to the labyrinth on the fateful day that Gord fell ill. (Guys can go too). I just read a wonderful article on the power of walking a labyrinth and I feel you will all have a different and amazing experience that I would love to hear about. My dream is to build a labyrinth one day perhaps at the lake. This goes out to : Su, Evelyn, Kathy, Normajean, Laura, Andrea and whoever wishes to join you. Let me know if you need directions!
ReplyDeleteThings to ask before you walk:
"May each person in pain find comfort"
"May each person who is broken find healing"
"May each person who longs for peace find serenity"
"May each person who is challenged find strength for the demands ahead"
"May each person who is lost trust the path"
"And may each person walking this labyrinth, discover an openness of heart and spirit, recognizing that we all walk the Path of Life together."
Love
Sheila
Hi Sheila and Gord
ReplyDeleteI don't say Aloha anymore as we are back in Canada. It was so nice to see Gord Yesterday. we were all impressed at how well he is progressing.
We all were interested in watching the physio girls work with Gord and how proud he was when they stood him up. He gave us a great big smile.
I am sorry to hear about what happened after we left. He seemed very tired before they stood him up for the third time and wanted to lay down but they would not let him. So maybe that combined with some of his medication resulted in his blood pressure dropping.
We were so pleased to see him yesterday and we will be back soon.
Keep the faith and keep all positive thoughts. The healing is a process and he is doing so well.
Take care Sheila, make sure you eat properly you have lost so much weight. There I told on you so everyone else can encourage you to look after yourself.
See you soon
Sandy and Leni