Aortic Dissection Repair day 9 1/23/13

January 23.

7 am -- Juli shared something with me that I totally experience, too.  When John is awake and conversant, all seems well and good, like we are making progress.  Conversely, when he is "under", we feel like it is all bad.  But NEITHER is necessarily true....

She and I left here about 10:30 last night, slept like logs till 5:15 and got here just after 6am this morning.  Juli leaves today...what will I do without her beside me, knowing my needs, and helping in so many way?.  In the last couple days, she's gotten more involved with John's care, helping him keep his legs moving and with breathing treatments, including getting secretions out of his lungs.  It is a difficult job to do alone and it means the world to me that she came to help me.  I just walked her down to the Metro station so she can get the train to the airport.  Gail Coridan comes today and is already nearby.  She will be with me till tomorrow, when Paula comes.  Gail will be a marvelous help too...can't wait to see and hug her!

Once again, his two arterial lines are out so there are less tubes.  He still has two central lines in his neck.  They just took him off dialysis a bit ago and that feels like progress.

Today we look forward to asking our doctor some questions and getting some more answers.  Our second anointing is this evening, with Robert Wagley, John's boss, and we're inviting some of our local elders for the opportunity and privilege of praying with him.  EVERYONE feels so much better when they have seen him, though it is also utterly shocking and perplexing to see this vital, strong, exuberant man laid low.
We're well taken care of with food being delivered every day...such a blessing!  We slept better on our mattress pads and flannel flat sheets, rather than the plastic mattress and thin sheets...thank you, Angela! For the food, too!

Blessings all around!

Becki

10am. Dialysis removed at 8 or so. Just removed NG tube so he can have some clear fluids soon. Ice cream? Not sure...WBC count up, fever is 99.1...just done with rounds. Gail here with me. John alert for a while this morning but dozy now.