Getting Clear

Hopes for an imminent release from the hospital were put on hold today by news that Dad still has a gunky lung. He has had some difficulty sleeping the last few nights, because of "anxiety". Turns out he's not getting enough air. That would make anyone anxious about falling asleep. So he's back on some oxygen and getting a diuretic to dry him out. His energy's been flagging from a double whammy. A lack of sleep and air. We keep stressing the importance of those breathing exercises he doesn't care much for and staying inclined even while in bed just to keep those lungs open. He's trying but it's hard because he's been tired. It looks like he will go back over to Memorial tomorrow to have his lung aspirated and that should bring relief. His doc says this is a minor setback and pretty common with heart patients. That helped Dad feel more positive. I think he was seeing this as a big setback and feeling discouraged. When he heard that the decision to release him depends largely on the physical therapists' assessment (with the doctor signing off, of course), he got motivated to get working again until they deem him strong enough. This is definitely the slog but the payoff will be sweet. He said when they transported him to Memorial for the x-ray today, the medic commented that he looked good for someone two weeks out from heart surgery. He does. I think he forgets what he's just been through. Yesterday was a biggie, too. Dad got Mom to bring his guitar. We pushed him out into the sun and he took it up. Nervous. Could he do it? He could! All the connections are there despite the weakness in his left arm and hand. The strength coming back is inevitable. That was major and it made me realize how much he'll improve once he's on his home turf, doing the things he's passionate about. Gotta get those lungs in ship shape and his body strong so he soon will be.

Photo of the creek at Annadel by moi.