SharivilleLife stories from Shari

Well this looks like our last night here at the Baylor Heart Hospital. That is of course if Jerry has a good night tonight.  He is being weaned off the oxygen, which is proving to be somewhat difficult.  This Blood Pressure thing is beginning to resolve, and he is on oral meds entirely now except for occas IV potassium or mag.  He’s had good results with the diuretics and he’s not so puffy now.  Jerry is a tough bird and was in good shape coming in here.  He had been quite active, non-smoker or drinker, and all his previous grafts from his first surgery bypass are good and clear.  So we have been doing something right. This is just another stumble along life’s path that we have to overcome.  Its been great that I have been able to stay here at the hospital. They really encourage family involvement.  Last night he even got a sponge bath from his life long nurse (me).  It did help him relax and sleep better, either that or he is definitely getting better, and he is. He is out walking in the hall and I have to hurry to keep up with him.  The nurses say he is doing remarkably well, a lot of prayers have gone into this medical course, for which I want to say thank you, thank you, thank you all.

This will be night 6 here and the only down side is that I never get more that a couple hours sleep at a time, because he has such a busy schedule.  I have a really comfortable bed to sleep in and a nice shower in the room, Jerry’s not using it.  the staff bring me linen and towels, etc. They come in at night and do their best to be as quiet as possible so as not to disturb me, I’m a light sleeper is the problem, but the best part is that I am able to be here to help him with the things I know he needs help with and he doesn’t have to ask others for help. We could not have accidentally landed in a more perfect place, I give all the credit to my special friend Joy, my high school classmate form Calif. class of “60″.  Joy lives in a small town about 60 miles from Dallas.  She was so kind as to come here on Jerry’s surgery day and sit with us for support.  She is one of Gods real angels. They have the best staff here form the housekeepers to the MDs, they are all wonderful. Jerry got the pacemaker wires pulled out of his chest today and all he has left is his central line, they are using that for IV supplements and to draw blood. The food here is great, it costs me $10.00 for a guest tray and I cant go down to the Heart Rock Cafe and get that kind of dinner for less.  Tonight I had home made chicken noodle soup, green salad, fillet Mignon, asparagus, baked potato with butter and sour cream and an dinner roll and strawberry sauced angel food cake and of course Starbucks coffee. Last night I has grilled salmon with similar side dishes. In the mornings I usually order a bagel and cream cheese on Jerry’s tray, at lunch time if I don’t go downstairs I get a sandwich out of the frig across the hall form his room.  They keep that fridge stocked with sandwiches, puddings, ice cream, pop sickles, sodas, milk, jello, small salads, of course theres always crackers and cheese and graham crackers and Starbucks coffee, which I really like.  Ive been known to be eating a turkey sandwich a 1 AM, if I can’t sleep and get hungry more than once this past week. The staff makes it known that the fridgee food is for the families of the patients and encourage us to partake. I may even miss this place and I never thought I would say that about any hospital.

We have decided finally to go to Angie’s house for the first few weeks.  It would be to difficult to get in and out of the trailer since it’s so high off the ground and Jerry is not to use his arms to pull or push for awhile. It will be two weeks before he starts Cardiac Rehab and he will need to keep up the walking prior to that. It will just be easier from Angie’s house. I will go over and visit with the kitties in the mean time.  Angie has a nice guest room. Well, all is good here, so far, hope all is well with you all.  Let me know otherwise.  I will be in touch when I have something more to catch you up on.  Hugs,   S and J.