Note: Part I, 6/10/13; Part II, 6/11/13; Part IV, 6/14/13.
III...
Other memorable moments during my recent illness had to do
with the tubes going down my throat.
After three days (and two nights) immobilized, silenced, and
strapped in, I was delighted to learn that I would be prepped for a visit to a
procedure room downstairs where the Gastro-Enterologist would study my stomach again
to see if the bleeding had stopped. If
it had, the tubes in my mouth could be removed.
(Most people would have noted that the absence of new bleeding would mean that my life was safe, but I myself was focused on getting rid of the tubes.)
(Most people would have noted that the absence of new bleeding would mean that my life was safe, but I myself was focused on getting rid of the tubes.)
In my room, Dr. R------- installed a catheter in my groin through which
he could make his investigations of my stomach, and a little while later I was
whisked downstairs, anesthetized briefly, and then told when I came to that there was still a lot
of old blood in the stomach but no new blood, so the tubes could indeed
come out, so long as everyone else agreed – the Primary Care Physician, the
Cardiologist, and the Pulmonologist.
By the time I was back in my tomb in the ICU, two of the
three docs had already said thumbs up.
The Pulmonologist, Dr. E---, greeted me at the door and said, “Well, ‘Byron,’
they tell me you want those tubes taken out of your throat.” I tried to nod vigorously and say “Uh huh!”
loudly. So he said to the assembled
nurses with a flourish of his hand, “Well then, take 'em out.!
*
Before I could celebrate appropriately, however, Dr.
R-------- reappeared and told me that, in order for the catheter incision to
begin to heal properly, I had to remain immobile for another four hours!
In reality this was nothing compared to what I’d been going
through. After all I could talk! I could even have a conversation. But it was nonetheless a terrible surprise that I still couldn't move, since
I’d had no inkling that I would not yet be able to sit up and maybe even
stand. Another round of rigorous
self-discipline was required.
Finally, the four hour delay was over too.
Finally, the four hour delay was over too.
*
The nights were still a serious challenge.
I probably slept a total on average of two and a half or three hours a night, 15 to 30 minutes at a time. I had a Ross MacDonald mystery novel, a stack of crossword puzzles, a tablet and pen, and still the t.v.
I probably slept a total on average of two and a half or three hours a night, 15 to 30 minutes at a time. I had a Ross MacDonald mystery novel, a stack of crossword puzzles, a tablet and pen, and still the t.v.
One morning, I passed the time trying to write up an account
of how I had spent the night. My first
night in the I.C.U. had been a Tuesday; the night I recounted was the following
Monday... so by then I was much better off than I had been at first.
Here’s what I wrote:
Let’s see what I can remember [on Tuesday morning] about Monday night. I was fully ensconced in my chair when A----- came to visit that evening. I think that was between 7 and 8 pm. Yes, I remember the time now. [She probably left again about 9...]
Here’s what I wrote:
Let’s see what I can remember [on Tuesday morning] about Monday night. I was fully ensconced in my chair when A----- came to visit that evening. I think that was between 7 and 8 pm. Yes, I remember the time now. [She probably left again about 9...]
1. Watched
Yankee game, switching once in a while to the Mets game. Andy Petite was pitching against the Toronto
Blue Jays. The Mets were playing
Philadelphia.
2. When the Yankees fell behind 8 – 0, I gave
up and started switching between the Mets and Florida, and the ESPN Monday
night game between Atlanta and... oh yes, Washington. They were both close games.
3. Around 10 , I walked around the ICU
(with my walker that had the oxygen tank on it blowing into my nose, and with
one attendant pushing along my i.v. pole, since I was down to only one by then). One full lap, and I went to the toilet (It’s
good for the staff that I’ve not been pooping because I’ve had no solid food), and
got set up in bed.
4. I started with the Mets game again and stopped switching to the other game. After 30 minutes or so I had a good nap, lying flatter than I have been doing. But when I woke up the Mets were just completing their half of the ninth inning. Sure enough, the Marlins came back in their half to tie the game at 3, so I kept it playing.
4. I started with the Mets game again and stopped switching to the other game. After 30 minutes or so I had a good nap, lying flatter than I have been doing. But when I woke up the Mets were just completing their half of the ninth inning. Sure enough, the Marlins came back in their half to tie the game at 3, so I kept it playing.
6. At that time, I had one of those
icky episodes [of irrational, intense dread].
I wanted to just get up again. I
tried lying flatter, then less flat... No change.
So I gave in and rang for
help. The two women [assistants] were
very gracious. With their help I got up
and walked a half-lap, ending up in the chair, covered all over with blankets,
with the lights on low and the t.v. accessible.
I thought I was leading a charmed life when “Numb3rs” came on, about 3
a.m.
7. I fell asleep – I can only guess
for a half-hour or so – after which there was a religious info-mercial
playing. I’d thought I could just leave
that channel on all night. But with some
effort I did find “That Bletchely Circle” om PBS.
I watched it all and enjoyed it a lot.
8. About 4:45 I called the staff
again, who took me for another, full-lap walk.
Note: Part I, 6/10/13; Part II, 6/11/13; Part IV, 6/14/13.
***
