Houston, Texas
Temple #97
James's Journal
7:15 - The tube in James's side is doing a good job of draining the liquid and blood out of his chest cavity, making it easier for him to breathe.
James and I had prayer and read from the Book of Mormon before things started happening in his room. Courtney, the night nurse is giving James his meds. Two other guys are here, I think they are the day nurses. They are moving him from the chair to the porta potty. His day nurses and David and Scott. Soon James is back in bed for an x-ray to see how the fluid drainage is going. I continue to do breathing exercises with him, two "sucks" in every ten minutes.
Sheri is on her way here so I can go to Costco. Addy is coming at 11 with banana bread.
James's blood sugar was around 150 so they gave him an insulin shot.
The first night James was here, last Saturday, or early Sunday morning, Kim and Sheri were here with him. He told them he had a "feeling" or premonition he was gong to fall. They were pretty upset with him.
An anesthesiologist came in to make sure his epidural was working because he keeps complaining about how much pain he is in.
Sheri left and Addy and Ruby arrived with a loaf of Addy's banana, walnut bread with chocolate chips. Thank you Addy!
Gail called around 2:45. David gave James his meds, oxycodone, something for gut mobility, potassium, Gabapentin, cream and a bandage for his butt because he has some bed sores. He also got some Tylenol. His oxygen needs went down from 70 to 40 which is a good things. They didn't give him any Dilauded but may need to later if his pain level doesn't go down.
Sheri and Max came for a short visit. It's the first time we have seen Max. It was great to see him.
5 p.m. Dr. Watt, the trauma doctor who normally comes in the morning just came by. He was very happy that James's oxygen needs have gone down. The goal is to get him completely off of it. Dr. Watt told him the breathing exercises we are doing are his ticket out of the hospital.
For dinner they brought James chicken, zucchini, rice and peaches. Everything is chopped up in small bites as per the swallowing doctors orders. James ate all the peaches but very little of anything else. I spoon fed him again.
James did end up having to have some Dilaudid.
Courtney is the night nurse again. We were watching the movie, "Knives Out" and she mentioned what a good movie it is.
Karen's Journal
Before going to James's room I stop at the snack bar downstairs and get some water, a Pepsi Zero, and either a Built bar or a Barabell bar. I bought an RX bar for tomorrow.
We finally finished the "Come Follow Me" lesson and 1 Samuel 4-5. I am now listening to Elder David A. Bednar's conference talk, "All Who Have Endured Valiantly" (D&C 121:29). This talk is giving me a higher and holier understanding of enduring to the end. We are to become new creatures in Christ. Spiritual gifts are necessary to our coming to the Savior and being embued with His attributes. Spiritual gifts are given to us through the power of the Holy Ghost. Charity is the greatest spiritual gift, what we do and become. Charity is the end of what we are enduring becoming new creatures in Christ. Heavenly Father gives us spiritual gifts to learn to loves as he loves. We are transformed as we endure charitably Our state of being changes...charity overtakes us.
I made a trip to Costco for walnuts, two Pom juices, Dawn dishsoap, some jammies for me, some Meyers cleaning supplies, and some RX bars. When I was finished at Costco I went across the street to Target. I got some toiletries and makeup. When I got back to the hospital I make myself a salad at the salad bar downstairs. I am trying not to eat after 1, just like Rita. I also got another water and a diet Dr. Pepper. Three people complimented me on the color of my hair while I was downstairs.
I listened to Inklings. The featured conference talk was "Prayers for Peace" by President Henry B. Eyring.
port-a-potty to the chair or bed.
Sheri and Ian have a family of quail in
their backyard.
No comments:
Post a Comment