Catherine-Ann / Pure-Grace
Aug. 16, 2022
LOTS OF ATTENTION
Monday, August 15, 2022 5:43 PM
Larry is the only patient in a 2 bed room. The area surrounding the other bed is very tight, almost like a spare bed if company comes. With so much going on with Larry & his constant coughing, it would be a challenge to be his roommate.
Hello. Larry's room change & closer monitoring made for a busy day. Larry was moved to a room directly across from the nursing station. He had a lot of attention today, not only from his nurse. A PIIC line nurse came twice to try to get the bleeding from line inserted a couple of days ago. He could not have the schedule dialysis today without the cooperation of the piic line in his artery. The kidney doctor came & said that Larry will get a shot to help his blood clot, being mindful of blood issues re: his stroke. A cardiac technician set Larry up with a Holter monitor. The chest Xray showed nothing of concern. An occupational therapist introduced herself & said she'd drop in each day, and work with Larry when he follows commands. Today he was a bit sleepy & opened his eyes wide when she asked him to open wide his hand.
My brother Tim dropped by & was pleased to see a difference in Larry & kept affirming Larry in the progress he saw in him. Larry was using his arms & hands much more today, as well as facial expressions and some whispered words. For me, he repeated "I love you!" and "Amen!" at the end of a prayer.
It seems that Larry's care team are being thorough in investigating & caring for him. Today certainly took the pain of yesterday away! I thank you all so much in helping Larry, me & our family get through the very difficult & frightening events that we face in this journey.
Our friend Louise picked up Mary-Lynn on the way to drive me home. I'm so grateful that Mary-Lynn got to come to visit with her big brother, after the trauma of yesterday's visit. She's on the mend after her recent knee surgery & it's great that she also has generous people in her life to drive her, while she can't for a while.
As I entered the Unit this morning, Marija, Larry's nurse from yesterday was walking beside me. I told her that I was very sorry for being harsh with her yesterday. She said "No, don't worry! Of course you are concerned & looking out for your #1 & only! I understand!" She is very caring & lovely. When she was attending to Larry, I saw the spelling of her name, and asked if she was Croatian. Yes she was born there. I began to pray the "Hail Mary" in Croatian and she delighted in remembering the prayer her Mom taught her when she was little. (I learned that prayer for my mother-in-love when she was dying & remembering things from her childhood in Croatia. It has been a gift to me ever since. I pray I every day. Larry loves to hear me say it, so I do for him these days.)
God bless you! Hopefully, continued good news/progress for Larry each day. Xoxo
I am holding close in my heart & prayers, my dear Sister-in-love, Linda, whose younger sister died a few days ago. Also our dear friend Maureen who is in Vienna, beginning a 2 week pilgrimage and her dad died here, this morning. Also, a beautiful young man 'Jeremy' whom I knew though Luke 15 House. He recently passed away. May all who have died, rest in peace and peace for their remaining loved ones.