Monday, November 26, 2007

Monday Update - Cardio, PT, Etc.

In his call to me this morning, David let me know his occupational therapy session was more than 3 hours long, and as we got off the phone he said he was just leaving again, this time for physical therapy. They are really working him hard, and we are both glad for that! Tomorrow I'm supposed to go in with a digitial camera to take pictures of the specifics of his therapy so that when he is discharged later this week he and I can SEE and remember at home specifics of what he is to be doing - what all the exercises are and how exactly to place his foot, his leg, his arm, etc.

David's appointment with his cardiologist was 5 hours ago now, but it's taken me this long to figure out what to say. I guess the best way to put it is that we went in with expectations of what we might find out, and we basically have no information. All I can say is that if I wasn't clear on how serious this was before I am now, because the doctor repeated more times than I can count that David had been on his death bed, that another stroke would kill him, that every breath he takes now is an extra gift from God, and that we are so lucky he got the "clot-busting" drug on time or he would now be hemiplegic. This we knew already. Yes, we understand the severity of it. What do we do now?

I guess we wait to consult with the surgeon (who has not yet gotten back to this cardiologist although a CD of the tests regarding this "very serious situation" was sent to him 2 weeks ago).

I waited awhile with posting today so as not to let my frustration come through; I'm afraid it is anyway. We were expecting a lot from this visit, and after all was said and done, I'm not even sure why we were there.

In terms of grad work and teaching, I am in the final stretch. The good news is that it will be over soon, and I (and we) will have this pressure relieved. The bad news is all the work I actually have to do before reaching the finish line. I know that looking back I'll be very glad that David insisted I finish; it's been a very difficult semester, and it would be (for both me and my family) disheartening in the extreme to begin all over - so much so that I may have decided against going back. Right now it is really doing me in to try to finish, even though I know I'll be glad in retrospect.

Hmm . . . that sounds so negative. It has been a frustrating day, but it's just a bump in the road. OVERALL things are positive, and we continue to feel confident of complete recovery. We just do still have quite a long road ahead, and we were hoping to move a little further along it today than we got to.

All I want for Christmas is my hubby home and very low-key times together as family, a very quiet Christmas season.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Heidi,

You don't sound negative at all. You sound overwhelmed, and rightfully so.

Keep your eye on the finish line. Just as David is training for a marathon, so are you. The difference is that David's marathon is focused solely on rehabilitating, (which is exactly what he needs to focus on) while yours is focused not only on him, not only on you, not only on Anthony, Jacob, and Caleb, but on everything you have going on right now. You have said before that you both agree that it is easier to be the patient than the caregiver. This is why that is so true.

Take a deep breath, and realize that you have every right to be overwhelmed. You are an amazing woman, and you are doing an amazing job, all the way around.

Hang in there. There are so many people cheering for the Meyer Team!

Day by day, hour by hour, step by step. YOU CAN DO IT!!!

Tiffany

Anonymous said...

Dear Heidi,
I'm one of the people thinking of you and David in all the silences on the pager!! This is the first time I've had a chance to catch up on your news in nearly a week and I am absolutely stunned to see David sitting up in the photographs, and to hear that he is looking at going home quite soon!!
You probably know that the word "courage" contains the French word for "heart" (probably the same Latin origin). I don't need to advise you to "take heart" because you clearly are way out in front already on that score!! Congratulations, and thank you for keeping us so well informed. (I got to catch up on a few decades seeing your family snaps!)
With love and best wishes,
Alison (still in Australia)