Today's visit was definitely one of show and tell. When Travis and I arrived Dad was having his drainage bandage removed by his nurse Alma. She is the sweetest, kindest, most well humored nurse I have ever encountered, and I know my Dad feels the same.
Once the curtains were opened, we were able to come in and hang with Dad. He was lying down but wanted to get up and sit in his chair right away. He is having quite a bit of pain and inflammation which makes it hard to stay flat on his back. His ribcage and back are the most inflamed right now, and the pressure of the inflammation makes it difficult for him to breathe lying down. According to the hospital staff, this is normal, and can take a few months to go down enough that breathing is normal.
Of course as soon as he was sitting in his chair, Dad immediately unbuttoned his shirt to show us his drainage tube wound. Gross! He also undid his pants to show us some very unsightly bruising on his hip, and then displayed more bruising on his bicep. ''Someone call the vet, these pythons are sick!'' Credit to Brie for that very bad joke :)
All in all, he looked good, except for all the nasty bits he kept showing off. Travis and I also noticed how swollen his feet are, and then looked up his pant leg to find that his calves and knees were also very, very swollen. We now know where the 12lbs of fluid went! My Mom visited later and talked with my Dad and the nurses about the swelling. He is now outfitted with some compression stockings and is on more medication that will help flush out the excess fluid. He will not be discharged until the swelling goes down.
While we were sitting and chatting Dad got a new neighbor. None other than the fattest, friendliest seagull I have ever seen! He hung out by the window behind us just hoping we might open it and throw food out, or invite him in. According to Dad this isn't his first visit. He actually stops by and taps on the glass to get attention! Some hospital rooms actually have 'Do not feed the birds' signs posted.
Only on the island!
We hung out with Dad for a good hour and a half. By the end of the visit, it was obvious he was wiped out. He did get up and give us both a gentle hug, no squeezing, and walked himself to the bathroom while we were on the way out.
Today was a very difficult visit for me, and for Travis. We headed back to the mainland right from the hospital, and it was really hard to say goodbye. I know that the island is really not that far away, but it seems like across the world now that I am home. I wish I was able to be with my Dad everyday while he goes through this journey. It is probably for the best that we are back home now, I'm sure I would have driven him crazy with my neurosis and overprotective nature. What can I say, I love my Dad to pieces! In a word, he is awesome! Travis and I are hoping to make it back over this weekend. We just can't stay away!
Mom visited Dad this afternoon for a couple hours. They went to an orientation on being discharged and home care. She will update the blog with all that info soon...unless of course he comes home, which will be different news all together!
More soon...thanks for following the blog everyone, my Dad is thrilled with all the comments and support. Keep 'em coming!
xo Janna
Hi vereybody. Thank you Jana for doing such a terrific job of keeping us apprised of John's journey. What a great recovery!! Jeanne and I are so happy John is doing so well and is still full of beans. It must be a good sign when he already seems to be doing more than he should. I'm sure there are lots f people around to tell him to stay calm and behave himself. Give our love and a hug to Sparky and Mereta.
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