Wow! I the most delicious dinner of spinach and artichoke hummus. I have no idea where it came from but it was in our refrigerator in Bristol when I packed it up on Friday morning. Thank you, anonymous donor. Chico eats the hospital's food uncomplainingly. Some of it is quite good.
Chico had a good day yesterday. It began with rounds, of course. The surgery was pushed back again-more time to heal. The days bring unremitting pain, and Chico bears up. It looks exhausting.
Last night Chico was moved to a new room. Who knew the room across the hall from the nurses' station is prime real estate? It was needed by others so we moved two doors down. It was a little unsettling at 7:30 PM but it did result in some writing-the first since the accident. I'll post the poem as soon as Chico is ready for that.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Monday, September 6, 2010
Labor Day 1
What a treat it was to sleep for eight hours, come in and find Chico sleeping soundly. Cheerful employees bopping around at shift change. Familiar faces. Doc's here.
Sunday, September 5, 2010
Sunday
It's been a nice Sunday. Chico has slept a lot. To me this indicates a couple of things:
1. His pain is under control.
2. He is relaxed enough to sleep. This is a function of familiar nursing and care staffs. I think it is difficult when one is so vulnerable to rely on everyone else to be suitably careful even with evidence to indicate that they will be!
Phone calls are becoming possible and are sometimes even welcome!
Continued appreciation of support from here.
1. His pain is under control.
2. He is relaxed enough to sleep. This is a function of familiar nursing and care staffs. I think it is difficult when one is so vulnerable to rely on everyone else to be suitably careful even with evidence to indicate that they will be!
Phone calls are becoming possible and are sometimes even welcome!
Continued appreciation of support from here.
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Saturday Night
After another not very restful night, and what seemed like a long day to me, Chico describes his day as relaxing. It was pretty quiet here on the floor. Chico got great care as all of his bandages were changed. I took some close looks at the graft sights (and some photos too raw to share). What struck me most was how accurately this work was described to us a week ago by the plastic surgeons. The wounds look just like they said they would. Excellent.
As Chico was bathed I could see he has made a lot of progress. He is able to move his upper body around much more than before and to participate more fully in the turning which is less painful than it used to be. He moves his right leg around some too. This evening he shifted himself a lot in bed. Interesting progress.
I had dinner with my two lovely sisters. They met me near the hospital. Nice evening. Chico enjoyed Tiramisu upon my return.
Thanks for the comments. Touching.
As Chico was bathed I could see he has made a lot of progress. He is able to move his upper body around much more than before and to participate more fully in the turning which is less painful than it used to be. He moves his right leg around some too. This evening he shifted himself a lot in bed. Interesting progress.
I had dinner with my two lovely sisters. They met me near the hospital. Nice evening. Chico enjoyed Tiramisu upon my return.
Thanks for the comments. Touching.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Back in the Saddle
Back at Albany Med that is. We just read all of your comments. It is humbling to be so cared for. Thank you.
Chico has had a complicated day. The great news is that the skin grafts are taking. Apparently they look good and the wound vacs are gone. That is huge step in the right direction. The donor site is enormous, brown and drying out.
I checked in with The Tree on my way down. I'm not too sure what's going on with me and this tree. But it is sort of interesting. Must have been about the same time of day exactly two weeks post crash. The leaves are browning, the scrapes seemed a little bigger. I walked around it in the tall, tamped down grass still strewn with fragments of the car: disks, ceramic parts, hoses, and rescue worker stuff. Not a lot; it is cleaned up pretty much. The grass was pillowy. Being there is odd. It is silent and beautiful or very loud as steady, intent traffic of all sorts speeds by. Not that fast-its a two lane highway- speed limit 50 or so.
I thought I'd take a video of that busy road for the blog. Thought it would be a zesty addition and a good learning experience. Sadly, I misunderstood the camera and didn't get the stream I wanted. Meanwhile a man stopped, backed up and started asking me if I was ok. I was but The Tree! The Semi's! Please! Just a moment...I had a little trouble explaining what I was doing. I must have mumbled something about a head on. He asked if it was my father that had hit that treee. Immediately I mistake him for a third rescue worker as he tells me the guy lost his leg, didn't he? Actually, husband, leg still connected, thanks. (That silly reporter!- sixties, sheesh!) Hastily this kind man added that he had indeed been on the scene after 'he was gone' sifting through the debris because he works for the DMV. Huh. I'm just sifting through looking for the wallet and a reason each time. I mean I guess that's what I'm doing. I think he told me, (his name was Gary, by the look of him), Gary said that it's a crazy road and there are 55,000 cars driving through there PER WEEK! Not too surprising to those of us living in Vermont and having a yen for the greater NYC area...Or Lake George, or the races.
At last (eight minutes) it was time to move on. To avoid Queensbury I went back through Kingsbury (car wreckage) and stopped for gas at Stewarts. There was a TV on with live footage of a huge wreck on 87 near Queensbury. UGH. Selfishly I looked away and got in my car eager to get to Chico. I really didn't want to know. The car was in that big grassy, treeless median. Treeless. I hope those people are fine. It can happen.
Chico's leg is less swollen and still very injured looking. Our fine friend stayed with him until I got there providing great support. It will be interesting to hear what the doctors say about the x rays that were taken today. Having a roomate is challenging. Chico was able to hear all the blog comments, listen to some great music on his computer, try to scan email and get sleepy. Things that were once so simple are so taxing.
It's good to be back.
Chico has had a complicated day. The great news is that the skin grafts are taking. Apparently they look good and the wound vacs are gone. That is huge step in the right direction. The donor site is enormous, brown and drying out.
I checked in with The Tree on my way down. I'm not too sure what's going on with me and this tree. But it is sort of interesting. Must have been about the same time of day exactly two weeks post crash. The leaves are browning, the scrapes seemed a little bigger. I walked around it in the tall, tamped down grass still strewn with fragments of the car: disks, ceramic parts, hoses, and rescue worker stuff. Not a lot; it is cleaned up pretty much. The grass was pillowy. Being there is odd. It is silent and beautiful or very loud as steady, intent traffic of all sorts speeds by. Not that fast-its a two lane highway- speed limit 50 or so.
I thought I'd take a video of that busy road for the blog. Thought it would be a zesty addition and a good learning experience. Sadly, I misunderstood the camera and didn't get the stream I wanted. Meanwhile a man stopped, backed up and started asking me if I was ok. I was but The Tree! The Semi's! Please! Just a moment...I had a little trouble explaining what I was doing. I must have mumbled something about a head on. He asked if it was my father that had hit that treee. Immediately I mistake him for a third rescue worker as he tells me the guy lost his leg, didn't he? Actually, husband, leg still connected, thanks. (That silly reporter!- sixties, sheesh!) Hastily this kind man added that he had indeed been on the scene after 'he was gone' sifting through the debris because he works for the DMV. Huh. I'm just sifting through looking for the wallet and a reason each time. I mean I guess that's what I'm doing. I think he told me, (his name was Gary, by the look of him), Gary said that it's a crazy road and there are 55,000 cars driving through there PER WEEK! Not too surprising to those of us living in Vermont and having a yen for the greater NYC area...Or Lake George, or the races.
At last (eight minutes) it was time to move on. To avoid Queensbury I went back through Kingsbury (car wreckage) and stopped for gas at Stewarts. There was a TV on with live footage of a huge wreck on 87 near Queensbury. UGH. Selfishly I looked away and got in my car eager to get to Chico. I really didn't want to know. The car was in that big grassy, treeless median. Treeless. I hope those people are fine. It can happen.
Chico's leg is less swollen and still very injured looking. Our fine friend stayed with him until I got there providing great support. It will be interesting to hear what the doctors say about the x rays that were taken today. Having a roomate is challenging. Chico was able to hear all the blog comments, listen to some great music on his computer, try to scan email and get sleepy. Things that were once so simple are so taxing.
It's good to be back.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Thursday Night
Hello!
This day is a vast improvement over yesterday. I think we were both exhausted by trying to keep each other's heads above water that last day before I left for Vermont. Cripes, you'd think I'd have come out ahead, huh? In spite of the thrill of the first day of school for me, I crashed as did Chico. A reasonable night's sleep and the promise of great visitors and care for Chico helped us both greet this day from a stronger place.
It was a day full of light, challenge and life at school. I had so many interesting interactions with students. It was 'a good one,' as my mother in law would have said.
Chico was able to talk briefly on the phone with me tonight and hopefully will rest well. Each thing is such a huge effort for him. Still he puts his best, brave self forward. That is helpful to me.
I had the delight of two great visitors today. One I was actually available for, and for the other I was MIA-deep in the witnessing of a math lesson...but for the grace of a favorable interview process, that could have been me reviewing how to construct and label rays. Instead, I was able to observe a masterful teacher in that lesson. Anyway, I loved having been visited, checked in on, comforted. So heartwarming. It was helpful to be advised that yes, Chico does need a companion and advocate with him right now. Phew. I guess that's my job.
Oh, another visitor at home! As I was arriving on my porch, our mailman stopped by to check in with me/us. Genuine compassion. Heartfelt.
My heart
felt
his concern.
Dinner with Pam, Reinhold, Edgar, Cedric. Lucky me.
Less than 24 hours and I'll be back in Albany. I wonder how Chico's presence will feel compared to ... I don't know, have I been away 72 hours? Too much to calculate at this moment. No! Much less. It seems like an eternity.
Thank you friends, family and concerned acquaintences, for your ongoing support.
This day is a vast improvement over yesterday. I think we were both exhausted by trying to keep each other's heads above water that last day before I left for Vermont. Cripes, you'd think I'd have come out ahead, huh? In spite of the thrill of the first day of school for me, I crashed as did Chico. A reasonable night's sleep and the promise of great visitors and care for Chico helped us both greet this day from a stronger place.
It was a day full of light, challenge and life at school. I had so many interesting interactions with students. It was 'a good one,' as my mother in law would have said.
Chico was able to talk briefly on the phone with me tonight and hopefully will rest well. Each thing is such a huge effort for him. Still he puts his best, brave self forward. That is helpful to me.
I had the delight of two great visitors today. One I was actually available for, and for the other I was MIA-deep in the witnessing of a math lesson...but for the grace of a favorable interview process, that could have been me reviewing how to construct and label rays. Instead, I was able to observe a masterful teacher in that lesson. Anyway, I loved having been visited, checked in on, comforted. So heartwarming. It was helpful to be advised that yes, Chico does need a companion and advocate with him right now. Phew. I guess that's my job.
Oh, another visitor at home! As I was arriving on my porch, our mailman stopped by to check in with me/us. Genuine compassion. Heartfelt.
My heart
felt
his concern.
Dinner with Pam, Reinhold, Edgar, Cedric. Lucky me.
Less than 24 hours and I'll be back in Albany. I wonder how Chico's presence will feel compared to ... I don't know, have I been away 72 hours? Too much to calculate at this moment. No! Much less. It seems like an eternity.
Thank you friends, family and concerned acquaintences, for your ongoing support.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Distance Posting
Chico has had a rough day. I think the situation is more difficult to endure without the distractions of a quiet person in the room (me or Chester) sharing the experience. Not good to be alone. We were forewarned, and it is no joke that the pain from the grafts is quite excruciating, as is the pain from the 'donor site' on his other leg. This is all in addition to the pain of broken bones. I find it unfathomable.
I am comforted by a number of thoughts:
1. We have a fine friend who is a nurse and she will stay with him from noon tomorrow until Friday afternoon. My gratitude knows no bounds.
2. I think my two sisters are visiting him tomorrow morning. Visits are really too much for him at the moment generally speakign but my sister, Molly, who lives nearby and is herself a nurse, knows how to do the short, quiet visit perfectly. She has been a huge comfort.
3. We are not only thankful for Chico's survival and the health of his spine and brain, we are also thankful that he did not hit anyone when he lost control of his car.
When I drove home last night I passed the tree again. My nemesis. Even in the dark I can't miss it. I'm angry at the tree. Such a puny tree, really. Sounds like I'm of sound mind, huh?
It has been a full first day of school. I had the great opportunity of spending time with many students in many settings, and observing teachers doing their great work. I met parents, talked with PTO and School Board representatives-just to give you a glimpse. My colleagues support me. The community extends their compassion. I am thankful to have this job. Very.
I am comforted by a number of thoughts:
1. We have a fine friend who is a nurse and she will stay with him from noon tomorrow until Friday afternoon. My gratitude knows no bounds.
2. I think my two sisters are visiting him tomorrow morning. Visits are really too much for him at the moment generally speakign but my sister, Molly, who lives nearby and is herself a nurse, knows how to do the short, quiet visit perfectly. She has been a huge comfort.
3. We are not only thankful for Chico's survival and the health of his spine and brain, we are also thankful that he did not hit anyone when he lost control of his car.
When I drove home last night I passed the tree again. My nemesis. Even in the dark I can't miss it. I'm angry at the tree. Such a puny tree, really. Sounds like I'm of sound mind, huh?
It has been a full first day of school. I had the great opportunity of spending time with many students in many settings, and observing teachers doing their great work. I met parents, talked with PTO and School Board representatives-just to give you a glimpse. My colleagues support me. The community extends their compassion. I am thankful to have this job. Very.
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