Still not walking. But sitting up which is a step in the right direction. The hospital is giving him massive doses of intravenous diuretics to try and dry up the fluid on his lungs (and everywhere else). And today, the guy in charge of ICU pointed out that it was probably a bit counterproductive to have him on a drip to keep him hydrated and to also be feeding him huge amounts of diuretics. And he is more than likely right. So the drip has been removed. One less tube would have to be a big relief.
At his request I took in a mirror when I went to the hospital this afternoon. His response: 'Well that's my last shave.' A pity, now that I have got over the shock I rather like it. I will take up a camera tomorrow - many people have offered me significant sums of money for a clean-shaven photo.
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| Reposted at the excellent suggestion of Ampersand Duck |
I am also told that his nephews (late teens, early twenties) would really, really like photos of the collapsed veins, the multiplicity of bruises and the staples holding his tummy together. And I suspect the smaller portion would be happier sharing those photos than the ones of his unbearded visage.
He made me snort yesterday by saying that he had to grow his beard back to match his passport. Osama Bin Smaller Portion come on down. He had been growing it since 1974 or 75 and it was a bushy horror (or a luxuriant growth depending on your viewpoint).
Those are everything-will-be-okay photos if ever there was such a thing. Lovely furry people.
ReplyDeleteSo glad to read that things are moving in the right direction. Strength!
Those are wonderful pics.
ReplyDeleteI just love the pump him up with fluids while pumping him with diuretics thing. Doctors... !! At least they finally had some common sense about it. I can't believe what a long ordeal you're going through. It makes me feel like jelly even thinking about it. I hope you are somehow managing some kind of down time for yourself (aside from trying to comment on other blogs ;-) What a nightmare. Grateful that things are slowly improving though.
Be sure to take lots of beardless pics. Good bargaining material when he's all better and home again, I'd think.
It sounds like things are going in the right direction. I too am glad they are keeping him in the hospital until he's better. Here in the US he would have been out already and in your hands.
ReplyDeleteThat first picture is amazing. I can see why you were asked to post it again...
Smaller Portion should regrow the beard, if only to put his whiskers in the soup like Bunyip Bluegum's uncle in The Magic Pudding. Good to hear a positive, photogenic update.
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is another attempt I'm making at trying to leave a comment, and we shall see if it works this time.
ReplyDeleteI just wanted to let you know that you and yours are in my thoughts, and I'm pulling for you.
Yay! I'm in!! Now if I can remember what I did during my drunken-blogging all will be good!
ReplyDeleteAlexis, Paper Chipmunk, DJan, Mitzi, and Lou (welcome - glad you made it): Thank you all. This morning I have jelly legs and a jelly brain from running on adrenalin for toooo long, but like the elephant seal and Jazz I am smiling blissfully. I'll go up and see him in a while and see what fresh horrors the day has in store - hopefully none and the upward trend will continue this time.
ReplyDeleteHang in there everything is on the up and up and you'll be glad to have the Smaller Portion home i suspect :-).
ReplyDeleteThanks Windsmoke: It will be good to have him home again though he is very, very demanding while convalescent. I knew he was improving when he was a complete toad when I visited on Tuesday afternoon.
ReplyDeleteThose photos are brilliant. I hope you are able to have a good, solid, refreshing sleep soon.
ReplyDeleteTracy: Me too. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear he's making progress. Small steps, but progress just the same.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of beards. A 3 day growth or a week is fine, more than that and I'm handing someone a razor!
The elephant seal photo--that's my brain right now--flat out squishy and mushed!
ReplyDeleteGetting better people are often difficult to be around. I hope you can survive it ok.
So how long was his beard? Did things catch in it? I wonder if when they shaved it off if they found things long lost caught and tangled in it.
River, Strayer: It was a huge beard. Not only has he had it as long as I have known him it hasn't been trimmed since the friend of ours who did trim it died in 1989. It (from my perspective) was a shocker. I am not/was not a fan, but it is his face. Sigh.
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