Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Well folks, this has been another roller coaster day in the life of the patient. For some reason he was moved to the third floor ICU in the middle of the night. The good news is that it's a beautiful room with windows on the south and west sides. And as if that weren't enough, it boasts a lovely mural featuring rolling wine country hills. Looks like the drive up Dry Creek road or some of the scenes we saw in Tuscany. I was told it was once a room for children in ICU. The room is large and we wonder if they moved him because of the numbers of next of kin Wollenbergs who troop through the department every day.

In the numbers department, the white count rose to 20,000 and the platelet count is not up to what it should be but the liver continues to improve. The nutrition IV came out today and they inserted a feeding tube this afternoon which will probably begin sending nourishment that way and hopefully begin to reactivate his digestive system.

Kathy took on the whole institution for a few moments after an unfamiliar doctor came through and made discouraging comments well within Skip's earshot in his room. Kath came zipping out to me as I waited with our granddaughter Elena and told me exactly what she had witnessed and urged me to go to the scene of the crime. As I went past the desks I had a serious discussion about it with a lovely woman in charge of Skip's respiration. She more than agreed and said she'd have a word with all concerned. In the meantime Kathy returned to the room and cornered the perpetrator in the hall. She explained that we are quite sure that he hears everything! And that we won't tolerate negative remarks or anything else that will cause anxiety and have a depressing effect on his psyche. So there! By the time I got back there it was all taken care of and I'm sure the word has spread to be careful around "those two women."

We received a wonderful visit by one of the Saphire group of the MLPA, Brandi Easter, on her way up to this week's meeting in Fort Bragg. I know this was a plus for his spirits. Thank you for your messages, the lovely flowers from the Saphire Group and words of encouragement. We love you all.