Friends - this has truly been a roller coaster ride. One day we are seeing progress and the next the chaplain is coming with the doctors to see me and then he rallies again. Friday was the worst day and yesterday the best. He spoke to me, asked me what had happened, seemed to understand me and said "I love you. I love you. I love you three times." The nurse said "he's counting!".
His speech is difficult to understand, he has two tubes in his nose and throat and it's affected in addition to that but if you listen closely, you can understand a good deal of it. His right side is impaired and we are hopeful that rehab will help that. His temperature was normal for the first time yesterday and his blood pressure and heart rate were normal. I haven't left him - this hospital has the most incredible people in it I have ever encountered. From ER to ICU to Intermediate Critical Care ICU (where we are now), they are kind, thoughtful (have not encountered one remotely hateful or unkind person). It's hard to believe we've been here 11 days.
The hope is that once he is stabilized enough, we can move him to a long term acute care facility in San Antonio and then on to rehab. That would make it so much easier. To those of you who have called and written and come by, I am eternally grateful. Please don't think I'm unappreciative because I haven't responded. I have not left his side as they believe he is more responsive and not agitated when he can see me.
We can see the Capitol outside his window and we have two families of pigeons sitting on nests on the patio. I hope he can get well enough to enjoy this. Oh yes, we have an 11 year old insulin dependent Golden Retriever named Remington. Remi has been up here with me since last Monday as the person taking care of her had to go to Chicago on business for 2 weeks. Remi was staying in the car in the parking garage with the windows partially down. I was going to go out every few hours to check on her, take her out, water her, etc. I test her blood glucose, give her the insulin and feed her every 8 hours.
The CEO of the hospital made arrangements for us to park in the executive parking garage right outside the ICU door and right where a security desk is. They go talk to her and let her out. Yesterday the operations manager/CPA gave me a key to her office, brought in a bed and is allowing Remi to stay in her office. It's just overwhelming how these people have helped me. The reason Remi can't be boarded is that we have no place she could be tested and fed every 8 hours at night and on weekends. Again. thank you all. Please continue to keep us in your prayers - and be assured you are in mine.
Suzanne S. Hildebrand
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