Hospital Stay: Day 3

Doing his Ministry of Silly Walks impression

Waking up this morning, I felt a little like I was on the set of Star Trek. A woman in a strange gown came into our room, pricked Toe's finger and read his blood sugar levels on a little box. She then talked into the communicator on her chest to exchange strange language (the conversation ended with "I'll doc it."). I actually started laughing out loud and had to explain.

The hospital does have a very surreal, other-worldly flavor to it. There's an odd normalcy to being tremendously vulnerable in front of strangers. I showered with a strange man in the room today (he was doing Toe's respiratory therapy). Strangers see me in my pajamas or just waking up. Yesterday, Toe broke down on the sky bridge (he said he was "hissed" - beyond hangry) and we stood there, holding each other, as people passed by...

I think we are starting to how our days might form a routine. There always seems to be something else to do or someone stopping by - CNAs checking vitals, the nurse to administer meds, the pediatric team, Respiratory Therapy, Food Services, housekeeping...

Toe has named his IV stand Ricky the PICC-y

Toe had an hour of one on one tutoring this morning. They have a school here, but because Toe is in isolation, the teacher comes to him. It gave me some time to take myself for a walk and do some deep breathing. The rest of the day has been filled with the routine - meal, respiratory therapy, vitals, repeat... The order changes, sometimes things overlap, but the repetition forms the backbone of our day.

Tonight Toe will be finished with maintenance fluids which means he will now only be connected to the IV stand while he does IV antibiotics (about 30 minutes every 6 hours). The rest of the time, he will not be connected. This will greatly simplify our lives and improve Toe's mobility. We have been taking walks the past two days but tomorrow Toe is excited to also do STAIRS.

A conversation from a few days ago:
Me: Toe, are you connected right now?
Toe: Maybe. I think they have WIFI, I'm not sure.
Me:..... I meant to the IV.....

On our walks, Toe has been trying his hand at photography. Here are some of his:

Tonight he gets his first shower with the PICC. Should be exciting. I think they have a special sleeve that goes over the PICC (did I mention that his actual PICC line is purple? He was very excited.). His arm is doing much less sore today and Toe's general attitude is good.

My cold is improving and so far, I'm feeling good as well. Tired. These are long days.