Friday 2AM...

I can’t sleep, so what do I do? Drive over and visit with Dad, and by the looks of it, Dad cant sleep either. In ICU they have a medical condition called ICU syndrome. It’s when your mind and body get thrown out of whack. Every few moments someone is checking on you, poking, prodding, changing an IV, moving you, asking if you’re in pain, and can you wiggle your fingers. After a while you have no clue what day it is, or even what time of day it is. I am not laying in ICU, but I wonder if the medical field has a diagnosis for the families of ICU patients?

Thursday was an amazing day. Dad sat in the cadillac chair for almost 6 full hours. His breathing is only slightly labored and completely on his own. Occasionally he has to cough, which is agonizing to watch, cause there is nothing we can do to help, but it is part of the healing process. I think that dad is starting to work out of the fuzziness of the pain medication and sedatives he was on, because he keeps trying to scratch his nose, and fix his mustache. Mental note, should probably have someone, (mom) trim it a bit. I spent a good long time with him this evening. Wanted to stay longer, but, I also need sleep. Dad’s care team keep reminding me that he needs lots of extra rest to heal. Just opening his eyes is a full workout on his system. Please keep his eyes in prayer. The doc passed them both with flying colors, but cautioned us, as to what he can see, and how his brain is processing images, until we can get some more straight answers out of him. The plan for Friday, which by the way marks 3 full weeks of Dad in ICU, is to remove some of the wires holding his jaw shut and get an MRI to answer any remaining questions about the stability of his neck. Assuming it clears, Dad gets to take the C collar off and then the trach will start to be lessened and soon he will be able to plug it and re learn how to talk and converse with us. Pilot Bill will be flying early this morning for the local area Balloon Festival. I hope no one has mentioned it to dad yet. I know he will be straining to get back out and do his Crew Chief job. Well Dad, get some rest and sleep cause we have a long road ahead of us and lots of projects to keep busy with.

~With Integrity