
Well, we received some really good news today that we are happy to share: they will be transferring dad to a stepdown room in the next day or so because the doctors and nurses feel he is ready to be in a "less restrictive environment" (ok, so it is a special ed term, but it in no way reflects dad's level of functioning- we hope:). He has been able to tolerate being off the ventilator off and on for over 24 hours, his blood pressure is better regulated, and he is incredibly bored and needs a change of scenery, as well as the motivation to become active again.
Although this is all good news, we are incredibly frightened and ambivalent about not only him leaving the comfort of the ICU, but us having to leave the safety of the continual contact with the nurses, as well as familiarity with the routine we have had for the last 5 weeks. I think it is harder for the family to deal with the change than the patient. Dad can't wait to get out of there, but we are a bit more reluctant. We have come to know, love, and feel comfortable with the nurses and doctors and we have trusted them with our fathers' and husbands' care. It is hard to try something different, but as I tell all my clients, if you always do what you have always done, then you will always get what you always got...and I don't want dad to stay stuck doing what he is doing right now, so as fearful as we are, we are also thrilled with the prospects ahead of us. I keep telling myself, my sister and my mother, it is ok to be scared; we are unsure of what is ahead of us, but as long as we stick together, we can get through this despite our fear.
I am leaving early tomorrow morning to head back to work so I can deal with everyone else's problems (which is a good distraction at times, at others I am like "are you serious?!"), and Carrie comes back next weekend, so mom may need some added support in the next week while we are away. For those of you that have continued to call, write, mail cards, put food in the fridge (you know who you are!!), and send healing energy, please continue to do so. All of your kind gestures are so appreciated, and if the favors need be returned if you are ever in a time of need, you know you can count on us because that is what loved ones are for!!
Love, Tracy
Real friendship is shown in times of trouble; prosperity is full of friends. Euripedes
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