Friday, July 10, 2009

Yesterday afternoon I found Chris in a wheelchair parked in front of the busy Nursing Station. He waved and smiled as he saw me coming down the hall. It was such a treat (for both of us) to see him out of his bed. I usually don't get there until the evening so I miss this part of his day.



Chris was quite intent on figuring out what the staff were doing. There were people darting in and out carrying all sorts of do-dads and what-nots, while others were busy answering phones, checking charts and computer screens. Chris could not stop himself from speculating upon the events.



He said that,"all these people are busy trying to figure out how to get me out of here...should be in a couple of days now."



While that is obviously not entirely true, it is a great attitude for him to have and I concurred that he was "prolly right". I said prolly because it drives Chris craaaazy and he gave me heck for it right then and there! The staff thought that was pretty funny.



I was informed that I could take Chris outside for a while :) so off we went. That was so much fun. I pretended to ram his feet into the elevator doors & walls, told him that we should play hide and seek to see how long it would take for his ward workers to find him..he enjoyed all the goofing around. Chris especially enjoyed our sojourn into the sunlit world outside of his prison.



Chris enjoyed all the commotion..construction, traffic, birds chirping, planes overhead, and he really liked eavesdropping in on the other inmates who were discussing and comparing the severity of their afflictions with each other.



One of the most puzzling bizarre sights that you always see is the ubiquitous hospital O2 Smoker? Even the most cynical amongst us must realise that if oxygenating your lungs requires a nasal tube attached to a small tank of Oxygen, that you prolly shouldn't be frickin' smoking HELLO!


Chris was mesmerized by the frail looking O2 Smoker who looked like she would have to get better just to die! I reminded Chris that he (we) had inadvertently QUIT 7 weeks ago and that now he needed to think of himself as an Ex-Puffer.

Hopefully this sinks in because he does talk about it and all of us have threatened him with a quick retribution if in the future we ever catch him trying to sneak a puff :( I was a light smoker (Chris was a pack-a-day'er) and after witnessing the brutal effects of the stroke, secondhand, it was a no-brainer for me...
and that's the end of my preachy sermon.




On our way back to his ward it became evident that some of Chris's social filters are still not working at full capacity although his commentary on women's fashion was most entertaining and informative. Most of the seasonally clad young ladies in the hallway seemed oblivious to his comments which although unwarranted, were definitely flattering :)



When we made it back to his ward it was Suppertime! I sat with him and watched him eat. Chris can feed himself with his left arm (I helped him a bit with the soup and cut up his food) and he ate the entire portion..as well as a chocolate bar that his sister had left.



We watched the news and talked about the Thunderstorm that had hit the city in the morning. A few areas in town had their power knocked.



I said,"See Chris, this is like you, lines are getting reconnected and things are getting back to normal." He laughed and nodded his head as he sipped on his Tea.

It was probably the best visit that we've had so far and I am "banking" this experience for the next not-so-great day.

16 comments:

Inside our hands, outside our hearts said...

It seems our lovely Chris is mending and from what you have written that he is asserting his male flirting role and thats wonderful. I am so thrilled to hear this good news. I must dance like a crazy woman ::hipshake::

Please continue sending my love and prayers to this beautiful man. Donn, on a side note, you are a great friend. We should all be so lucky.

Soft love,
T

eroswings said...

That is good news on his recovery and that is a great visit. Sure, there will be challenging days, but he is still here and that's the most important thing. He's still alive and we look forward to his return.

You're a true friend, Donn. We appreciate your updates.

andrea said...

:)
Great update.
I always find that visiting my dad, a veteran of mutliple strokes over the past 8 years, is better in the morning.

Anonymous said...

Just catching up on recent posts.Very good news. Cyber hugs coming your way;you can dole them out like candy bars when you visit. :-)

Tidalgrrrl said...

I hope Chris is well enough to get out of there soon!!

And, I saw this guy standing outside the clinic where I work, just puffing away next to his oxygen tank. WTF? That's explosive gas there. BOOM...anyone? Anyone?

dmmgmfm said...

You are all in my thoughts, Donn. Sometimes I think it is harder on the people that love them than the patient themselves.

Please take care of yourself and give Chris a hug for me.

Anonymous said...

GREAT!

savannah said...

fantastic! xoxo

Sienna said...

A beautiful bit of therapy in itself, priceless what you both just did. And he couldn't have had a better therapist.

anna said...

Beautiful update! Absolutely beautiful!!

gautami tripathy said...

It sure felt good reading this..

mistipurple said...

*sending extra power lines from asia* and love and hugs too!

Gaby said...

Keep the good news coming Donn! Having worked at HSC campus for 20+ years, I can only echo your comments about some of the 'interesting' people one sees here on a daily basis. There's never a shortage of sights to make one realize we have it pretty darn good! Hugs to you both!

Annie Van Bergen said...

wonderful, beautiful entry

Cazzie!!! said...

Wonderful Donn, and you are quite right to bank the story, bit by bit, and yeah, just like that unreal storm pictured there, slowly things come back together..nutrition and rest is the key :)
Well done Chris, you can do it mate!

AngelConradie said...

Please Lord, let there be more visits like that. Let this- and better- be the "shape" of things to come.
Amen