Don graduated from ICU this morning to the Telemetry Unit on the 3rd floor. (Look up the word “telemetry” on the Internet if you don’t know what it means – that’s what I had to do.)
When he was previously (on 2 occasions) located on the 3rd floor, he was in the Progressive Care Unit. So now he’s well enough that he doesn’t need as much care. That’s the good news.
The semi-bad news is that he was hoping for a view out a window since it’s been so long since he saw anything but the inside walls and curtains in the hospital, with the brief exception of his stay in the Sierra Vista nursing home. He was wheeled into a semi-private room where the roommate had the bed next to the window. More walls and curtains just made Don a little depressed. Also, the only air conditioning for the room is on the wall under the window, so it was a little too warm on his side of the curtain.
However, we quickly learned that the roommate was being discharged by the end of the day. Great! Now I don’t have to look away every time he walks past us to the bathroom with his gown gaping on the back side!
I helped Don with his lunch and we were able to get approval for him to start eating solid foods again. You can’t get much nutrition with a liquid diet. I had pushed to get him some protein shakes because he wasn’t getting enough protein from broth, pudding and jello.
Don asked if I would go home, have my own lunch and come back to help him with dinner. Of course! The dinner was rubber chicken, white (haole) rice and carrots (he says Yuck!), but there was a protein shake and a slice of apple pie with a dollop of whipped cream on top! Guess what he ate every bit of!
And the good news is that the roommate is gone and Don has a view of a mountain across the hospital’s ICU roof, and the air conditioning makes the room more comfortable.
The rehab people visited while I was gone in the afternoon, and Don said they’re still saying he’s going to get into the hospital’s rehab unit, but we don’t know when. So, that’s today’s news.
It's positive news!
ReplyDeleteIt's going to be difficult to find something he'll like to eat when he's such a good cook.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, Jan. He won't be getting Santa Maria tri-tip here!
DeleteGlad today was so much better. Hospital food never seems good, but that is even more incentive to work hard and get out!
ReplyDeleteHis main goal is to go home. The nurse even wrote it on his white board.
DeleteGlad your report continues to be looking "up" - floors, that is and not the flapping hospital gown! Can you slip him some Ensure protein drinks? I like GOALS posted. For my mother-in-law's room we posted photos of her house. Maybe you can post some of your RVing favorite destinations that Don can glance at.
DeleteSounds much better. Live Strong!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI used to work on the telemetry floor and it was my job to watch them. Glad Don is getting better. I agree. Post those pics.
ReplyDeleteLet me know if you need that Marine Drill Insturctor Angel to come back and threten to give Don a bath again. That will make him want to get the hell out of the there. Get well YOU all.... Dennis..the orange guy...
ReplyDeleteYa, I know you would come in a minute and I really appreciate that, but you two have other priorities in your life and he's going to make it however long it takes. Thanks for the offer. I think he'll be transferred to rehab in a day or two. He's getting impatient, wants things to happen faster, but his body has to catch up.
DeleteSounds like everything is going forward! Glad Don has his view!
ReplyDeleteGerry and I are glad to hear Don is progressing nicely in his recovery process. I know how he feels about having a window to look out of in a hospital. The closed in feeling without one makes time drag on forever. Nice to see the sunny days and lights at night.
ReplyDeleteGive him our best and tell him to hang in there.