Nov 16, Saturday: Gary woke up with labored breathing, completely disoriented with a fever this morning. We're very thankful for the great diagnostic care and very attentive ER doctor who helped us today. Gary is resting comfortably under observation tonight after a breathing treatment and two doses of IV antibiotics. Day turned out okay.
Nov 18, Monday: Grateful for prayers and antibiotics because both are working well for Gary. He was looking and behaving more alert today than he has in a the past few days. He's been diagnosed with a UTI, bronchitis and pre-pneumonia. I took the day off and got antibiotics to ward off my sinus infection, too. Starting to feel them work already. Hooray!!
Nov 19, Tuesday: Thankful for the experience and knowledge I have accumulated throughout Gary's illness. It allows me to understand and most efficiently use his benefits, and to break through the medical hierarchy and politics to get doctors and therapists to cooperate in Gary's best interest in spite of their egos and frequent tunnel vision. You simply can't believe how hard or how often I have to press for what should be the most common sense approach! It baffles the mind!!
Nov 20, Wednesday: Hard to find something to be thankful for today as it was a very hard day of Gary challenges. Another uphill battle. But, I am thankful that the Director of Case Management and the charge nurse have responded to my cries for help and tomorrow may be a better day. No guarantees, but it's a start.
Nov 21, Thursday: Last night I was dog tired, so neglected to keep up with my posting...yet, I was very thankful that Gary had a much better day. He was up out of bed with me for 3 hours, and then walked a short lap with the Physical Therapist, proving that he wasn't bedbound, as he was assessed the day before. Way to go, Gary!
This quote from LBDA means so much right now...
“You had many more years,” he said.
“I didn’t want them.”
“But they wanted you. Time is not something you give back. The very next moment may be an answer to
your prayer. To deny that is to deny the most important part of the future.”
“What’s that?”
“Hope.”
― Mitch Albom, The Time Keeper
Nov 22, Friday: Gary's coming home tonight! He was qualifed for and accepted to inpatient rehab, but we and Gary opted for home and we'll see how it goes. Creekside Home Health Care will be starting back up on Saturday, and we're regular frequent fliers with them, so the therapists know exactly how to help Gary get as close to pre-hospitalization status as possible.
