>From Karen (Larry's sister) Wow - it's been a week, now (already... and only), and Larry is so much improved he's ready to be out of there. Janell just called. She has a release from all doctors except the lung guy who is reluctant to remove the chest tube because it's still draining: still about 200cc per day, only not it's no longer bloody but pink fluid, and it's only draining, not drawing. This doctor may send him home (to the BR General) with the tube still in place, but he's a bit concerned about the flight and movement. (Of course, movement is something Larry's doing on his own anyway, which may be contributing to the drainage, but more on that coming up.) Not much happens around there on weekends, Janell said, so she may not even see that doctor until Monday. There's a chance they may get released tomorrow, though... she's just waiting to see. This afternoon Larry came out of the fog and was more himself, remarkably so. He asked about the accident and was quite coherent. But then the fog rolled back in and he became confused and agitated again. For example, sometimes he thinks he's in the boat and asks for a paddle. He's ready to quit being a patient: 'insists on feeding himself even though he winds up wearing much of his supper. Today he got out of bed by himself, crawling out over the rails to go to the bathroom. The nurse saw him and just about croaked, since he is conncected to all sorts of tubes (including the chest tube). He's just not enjoying the patient-like attention ... would rather be in charge of himself and will be, ready or not. What a blessing ... to have him coming out of it with such gusto. Janell is incredible. Larry described once how much he appreciates her way of just accepting what is, that which cannot be changed, and making the best of it. Now we are seeing this in a big way. She's doing great, appreciating things like: the comfort of the lounge chairs in the waiting room when she can get one because then she gets 7 hours of good sleep; the comfort of the running shoes Daphne's cousin lent her that felt so good to her bones compared to her own tennis shoes she'd finally found; the gift of comfortable shoes Sir & Daphne bought for her today; the improvement she sees in Larry, especially when he was himself this afternoon. "There's always something going on around here," she said, "so I never get bored." Yet, to try to help Larry stay calm and avoid agitation, she's been giving him space, keeping the lights in his room low and playing soft music, restricting visits, including her own, when he shows signs of stress. He, likewise, has never complained about the pain anyone else would be feeling with his broken bones -- he deals with them as best he can. Poor Larry doesn't want to be in bed -- his butt hurts from sitting and lying on it so long. Yet the smallest victories wear him out. He's not quitting. He might be down, but he's far from out, and Janell will certainly be there to help see him through. So maybe tomorrow... some real news about their return to Baton Rouge. Love, Karen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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