Day 9: Morning Update

Wednesday 8 April, 10:30 am MST

The letter below from Aubrey will update everyone on Daniel's condition. Mendy spent the night with Daniel last night and we hope to get a medical update from her later today. We do know that Daniel's pelvis did not shift after the 20 steps he took yesterday -- which is a very good sign.

In the letter below, Aubrey mentions cutting Daniel's fingernails for him. What Aubrey does not mention in his letter is that Daniel would have had them trimmed a day earlier, but Aubrey accidentally dropped the fingernail clippers down the hospital elevator shaft. He said he could hear them ping as they bounced off different objects on their way down.

Wednesday, April 8

Again, I cannot begin to express how grateful we are for the blog site you have created. Many comment that they enjoy reading about Daniel's progress. Every day seems to melt into the next. Monday, a new team of nurses attended Daniel, and Mendy and I stood back to watch what would happen if we backed away a bit from his one-on-one care. Daniel was worn out after his surgery and was not being patient with the nurses. After 5 unacceptable attempts to get him situated in the bed, his nurse said, "you know 'Danny Boy', it would be nice if we could get a "please". Mendy and I just sat there in silence and observed, as the negotiations took place between Daniel and his nurses. He made an obvious attitude adjustment and the response from his nurse was one we had hoped for.

I had really reached my limits the night before when there was only one petite, young, and in-experienced aid on the floor and Daniel's nurse, as well seemed helpless at times. I finally asked, "What would you do if we were not here?" At times his nursing care is fantastic, yet other times, the standard of care simply doesn't measure up to my expectations. Then, does anything?

Late, yesterday afternoon, they moved Daniel to the 6th (Orthopedics) floor. I didn't feel he was ready to leave ICU, but his orthopedic doctors wanted him closer to them. He now shares a room with a really nice, quiet young man whom we hope to get acquainted with today. Daniel is so exhausted and barely utters his words. He isn't able to take care of any of his personal needs which is very discouraging to him. He cannot seem to tolerate any noise (see, he is more like me that we thought) and has expressed that he really isn't up to visits right now. Focusing on managing his pain is where all of his energy goes, but the nursing team is very caring and try their best to make him comfortable.

His chest tube was removed yesterday, as well as the web of monitors. I noticed too that several of the pic lines, etc. had been removed from his arm. The liver continues to be the main concern so please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. I clipped his finger nails for him last night and he would love for me to cut his hair. Maybe someday soon he can actually take a shower. I feel that as the misery begins to fade, it will be replaced with gratitude. We are certainly blessed. Our friends continue to pour out their love and concern and that is what continues to sustains us.

Aubrey