Post-ICU life this time around has been, well, eventful in new and unwelcome ways. After so many medicines, procedures, and days in the ICU, Mom is having difficulty adjusting to a "normal" hospital room and what it brings. She's experiencing heavy swelling of her legs and feet due to fluid retention, and a new complication: "sundown syndrome", which is yet another medical term (?) we're learning about.
Mom is sadly experiencing periods of agitation and confusion, which she's never experienced before; she understands later that she's not making sense, and she's saying things that are unreasonable and unnatural. Her ability to understand her differences in mentality is important; it means she's not in a confused state 100% of the time. During the times when she is alert and "in the moment" she completely understands, and sadly accepts, her current status in the hospital. When she's more "lost" and frantic, she really has difficulty accepting her goals of "eat good food, get good rest, and take time to get better." The difficulties extend into the evening and nighttime hours, which interrupt both her and Dad's sleeping patterns. The recommendation from the doctors is to eat, rest, and wait.
Waiting even just the last two days has been draining on everyone, particularly Mom.
Even in these difficult days, though, we find bright spots. Mom was absolutely delighted yesterday to receive an email with pictures from a dear USAF friend. Blown up on the iPad, the pictures of her and Dad enjoying good times with old friends, as recently as last year, reminded her and us of happy times which weren't long ago, not long at all.
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| Dad enjoying USAF reunion, February 2011 |
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| Mom telling a funny story at USAF reunion, February 2011 |
She enjoyed watching videos of Macklin telling jokes and playing silly games with Sara and Charles, and blowing kisses via the magic of the internet.
Also, we're thankful for Mom's menu, which is, while still hospital food, served on demand...including goodies like Yukon Gold Potato Soup and chocolate ice cream, not necessarily eaten in that order.
Lastly, we're thankful for the nursing staff here, who are holding Mom's hand and helping us through these newest trials.
