The morning dawned with a doodle muzzle nested in the curve of my neck.
I remember that was how the evening began. Phoebe wanted to snuggle. It wasn’t very comfortable for me, but the reality that she had made herself cozy made me smile. I believe we fell asleep that way.
For the first time in four weeks and two days I did not call the night nurse. An extra phone ring or voices would keep Jess awake. My morning call was only to learn that Jess had another night of no sleep.
When I arrived Jody was already by his side. Jess did not remember that I was there yesterday, but he does remember me visiting and knows I have been with him. I had questioned him about San Diego and he reported that he thought he was in a hospital in San Diego. He was confused when I said his son worked nearby and he was trying to figure out when Matt moved to California. We got that cleared up.
Jess was very preoccupied from the doctors’ visit earlier that morning. His heart function is about 35%. Being brutally honest, the docs told Jess they didn’t know what he’d be able to do. He was wondering if he would even be able to walk our neighborhood.
I assured him that his heart could still be getting stronger and that he still had a way to go and to try not and worry about it now.
Jody left and my sister’s husband arrived. Jess would seem real focused discussing (still in a low whisper) current events and sports. Then he reported that the hospital had so many dead doves on the roof. My brother and I looked at each other and I questioned, “How can you tell?”
“Because you can see all the feathers.”
And that was it.
He did not bring it up again and the rest of his conversations were very clear and coherent. He looks up at the ceiling a lot and reflects on the knowledge of his condition. He told me that it was a miracle that he is alive. It breaks my heart that he knows the intensity of his crisis and that he has to wonder about his future. I believe all this wondering is why he cannot sleep.
The physical therapist and the nurse had him sit up with assistance for about fifteen minutes. He was tired and took about a forty-minute nap afterward. I am hoping that when there is less activity on the floor tonight, he will settle down with the lights out.
I just spoke with him a few moments ago and he reported that the feed tube in his nose was “no big deal,” adding his day was “busy” and maybe he will sleep tonight. I told him to get some rest and that I will see him in the morning.
“Goodnight babe,” was his response. That is the Jess I know.
Goodnight and Doodle Kisses, J,J, P (so naughty today) and H.
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