Noon in a chair

Mary just got back into bed with the help of the physical therapist. She had been sitting up in a chair for almost 40 minutes and during that time we had a nice chat and she brushed her teeth.

Last night was scary. On one side, I am glad I wasn't here. On the other, I feel very bad that I wasn't here. Her blood pressure started dropping--internal bleeding. Ordered a unit of whole blood, and another. This is after they didn't need any during the surgery.

When the day staff reported to work (7am), she was totally out of it and they were very, very worried. She wouldn't respond to their questions, etc., and they couldn't get her to wake up. Especially scary bad after a transfusion, as they say.

The nurse asked about 8AM, "Is there someone you would like to talk to?" Mary could wisper "husband" but couldn't remember the phone number. The nurse looked it up and I am not sure who dialed it but Mary reached me. I arrived about 90 min later and the nurse came in and woke Mary up.

Mary responded so well to my presence the nurse and the aide were darn near dancing in the hall. They said they couldn't believe the change from 7AM. I was instructed to keep her awake, engaged and talking. Tough to do because she can fall asleep in the middle of her sentences but we struggled thru.

At noontime they got her out of bed and into a chair. Mary sat for about 40 min and then the physical therapist helped her get back in bed. The nurse just asked me if I could stay because it is such a positive impact on her.

Oh yeah, no problem. I'm here.