Sunday had gone well with packing and filling the lists for Hubby's wants and needs...a real razor, real soap...simple things we so become accustomed to having. Had a small panic when I forgot how many cows Hubby had when we fed. I had Andrew driving and looking for bodies. We confirmed with Marcy the count and all were there. I continued to pack planning an extended stay.
Driving and getting behind more old ladies driving like me slowed me down a little but still arrived fifteen minutes before a conference that did not happen until six PM. Tests, tests, tests, transplant consultation/education, financial advisers, dietitians, nurses, helpers, questions to answers and secrets to tell left no time for computer updates.
Hubby has stabilized amazingly...probably something to do with PRAYER (thank you all!) and a good medical staff. He has been removed from all IV lines and has been told to roam the halls between tests to keep up his strength. So far every test has been good. They are looking for anything that might interfere with the success of transplant if and when he is accepted for the list and it happens.
Finally the main doc arrives and says, "Congestive Heart Failure". Not fatal AT THE MOMENT if managed. Congestion has been reduced, blood pressure stabilized and Hubby can breath again. Tests will continue and assessment of every aspect will be under the microscope. My sick humor keeps popping out so if I'm judged mentally unstable that will make Hubby a bad candidate. They say the Home Team is as important and the hospital team.
Oh, the things we've learned that I never wanted to know!
They are doing a heart cath Wednesday to get a new close look. Possibly, hopefully, if all goes well, Hubby will get to come home Wednesday...condition managed with oral medicines. We will be grateful, eat heart healthy, exercise and continue tests on an outpatient basis.
Driving home after dark...blind as a bat...why do they say that when bats can navigate better than a sighted person with their little sonars? Check engine light comes on in a sixty mile stretch of empty road. I drive. It's my only choice. FINALLY I see a station. I check the oil in the semi-darkness mostly by feel then I take my dipstick toward the light. Oil's good. Water's good. That's the best I can do.
I hear a lady who says, Is everything alright? I said, Check engine light on. Returning from Little Rock, no cell, not a mechanic. She said, We're coming from Little Rock too. We took our son to Children's...seizures. I privately imagine the horror of having a sick child. I said I will pray for him if that's okay. She said, Praise God! I've been drug free for six months. My husband will check your car. He did. All levels okay and I continue home.
I pull in driveway and immediately lock my keys in the car while unloading it. I drop things in the dirt trying to haul things into the house. Find my extra keys and finish the car. Check on Marcy and discover her doc says she "almost" has pneumonia. Waited on Andrew to safely arrive from a track meet. I think we finally hit the sack after eleven.
I have a mechanic appointment. It's not raining yet. My edges are ragged and torn but life is good.
Thank you everyone.
