What a difference a week makes

[The Kleins, Tempe, AZ]

Last week Jess was still in the ICU. Last week Jess took his first steps. Last week Jess could not eat or drink. Last week Jess could barely hold my hand, could not hold a pen, needed to be placed in his bed.

This week Jess began to eat. His voice for the most part has returned. He can squeeze my hand, pull himself up in bed, and get up with minimal assistance, and walk a couple of laps with a walker. Jess sits at the sink and shaves; he can hold a pen and sign his name. Amazing? It is inspirational.

I arrived during the Echocardiogram. The sonographer was clicking away at a screen that displayed Jess’s heart. It was moving, it is noisy, but beyond that we were never told the results. This left us both a little twitchy all day. What is the game plan, where are we going, what is happening?

Jess’s oxygen remains in the 98 – 100 range. His CVP measures 7 in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. His feet appear swollen, no, they are swollen. No temp. Blood pressure seems low but no one is too concerned and the cardiac nurse seems to think he is doing fine. So we are in limbo.

Jess was not feeling as well as yesterday but he managed to do his walkabouts and his reclined elliptical machine. I attribute it to concern over the lack of feedback. The focus is gaining strength; nobody seems to want to talk to us about the heart. Jess is really O.K with modifying his level of activity, but the lack of knowledge to what that will be at this point is frustrating to both of us.

Today we opened several more Doodle cards. Jesse wants everyone to know how much he appreciates your prayers and good vibes. He hopes he will get well and be “back in business” again.

Meanwhile Regina and Jacob took Phoebe and Hobbes for two hardy walks today. They let Phoebe run free in the greenbelts – she loves this. Phoebe likes to take her own leash and walk herself. Pretty cute, but I am on leash five or six and she is only eleven months old (she will be on the 14th)

Funny, I am finding myself so tired, yet again...

Doodle Kisses and sweet dreams, J,J, P and H.

[Betsy D.]

I am new to DK and to your story; I have done some catching up with your blogs. I am finding it very difficult to relay to you my thoughts and feeling about what you all having been living the past two months or so. Usually writing comes easily to me, so I find this very frustrating.

Please know that I am so thankful to God for allowing Jess to recover, be it slowly. One thing I have told many friends is that you should never take for granted what you have with your spouse, the joys and the frustrations. I know that you have learned to cherish each and every word uttered, every touch, every breath, every thought. I was and am very bless to have a husband with whom marriage has been very easy and we tried always to never take each other for granted. I am so glad you all will get to continue sharing your lives and love. Please know that one more DK person is offering up prayers for contined growth and recovery for Jess and for you, Janet, peace. A prayer for relaxation. A prayer for you to have the ability to take that deep sigh and to know that when you are finished, Jess will still be there. You can blink he is still there.

I hope you don't think I am crazy. I am very tired and as I said, I am having a difficult time really expressing what I want you to know. Please, if you get a chance, read My Page or my one blog and you might understand a bit. I am sure this Passover you were celebrating more than making it across the desert. (A bit simplistic, but I am sure you understand.) Blessings to you all. Betsy

[Susan]

Janet, it sounds like they are letting Jess build his strength. Probably they are being very careful in what they tell you at this point..not wanting to get your hopes up and also not wanting to discourage you since Jess has done so well. His blood pressure is better low than too high, that would be cause for concern! I know it is hard to not know what lies ahead, but Jess is a strong man and is doing fantastic and so are you! You have to be exhasuted...get some sleep! Hugs and prayers to you both!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

And what a difference there will be in next weeks blog! As hard as it is, the lack of info & the waiting, think of it this way - if there was something wrong, you would know because they would be changing his meds, adding this, subtracting that, not allowing him out of bed, having people hovering, etc....
You didn't say if you had a 2nd Sedar - if you did I hope it was as lovely as the 1st!!!!!
Happy Pesach!

[Nicole Wayne]

I'm so thrilled to hear about Jess' improvement! Hurray!

Having been a caregiver for my grandparents and my mother, I completely understand how hard it is to not know everything that is going on. I found that sometimes I had to be a bit of a warrior to obtain information and move things along. As long as you are polite, I don't see any reason for you to sit around wondering for any length of time - don't worry about being a bother, just ask the questions you need answered. Let the treatment team know that you are a bit frustrated and concerned and would appreciate additional information. I've found that often the hospital staff are so busy, they may not realize that you are in distress due to a lack of information.

Please also remember to take care of yourself. Let the doggies heal you with their special magic. Mazie and I send our love and continue to pray for your family. Peace.

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Like I said... small steps are actually giant leaps when you look behind you. I would imagine as Jess gets stronger, the lack of information will get more and more frustrating - especially since you probably were more informed "minute by minute" when Jess was in CCU. Try to take 5 minutes during each visit to close your eyes and meditate on the good energy around you - I promise it will help. Get some rest!

[Jeri]

The Sonographer tech cannot tell you anything. The Radiologist has to read it and than give the results to the
Doc and than the Doc talks to the patient. Frustrating to wait, but necessary so that you only get told the correct information. It sounds like Jess is progressing well. There will be days that he feels more tired than others. Glad to hear Phoebe and Hobbes have someone to walk them for you. So be encouraged and have a wonderful weekend with Jess. Good to reflect on all the things he can do now and the improvement he has made. We are at my 3 y/o grandaughters home for a visit over Easter. The dogs are curled up on the couch. Sophia & I are watching cartoons and the rest of the grownups are still sleeping. Sam already snacked on her yogurt nutragrain bar he found on the endtable. Sneaky fella, right behind my back.

[Yvonne, Riley, Murphy and Luca]

It has only been a week and he can do all of those things is a miracle within itself. Keep the smile on your face, it is all he has to encourage him to keep pushing forward. Have a wonderful weekend together.

[Beverly Wright]

Do not get discouraged.........you have come too far!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We will pray today for good results of the Echo!!! Please tell Jess we are all so proud of him!!! Get some rest this weekend if you can....spend some time with JANET!!!! Love, hugs and doodle kisses.
Bev

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, I agree the not knowing can be crazy-making; I hope you can get some answers soon. In the meantime, have a restful night, and a wonderful weekend.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I hope you get some feedback soon. The not knowing is the worst. Rest well.