A Long Day

Today was a rough day for Mark. He's trying not to go into the ER any more than he has to, but he hadn't slept well the last two nights, and he'd been having chest pains since yesterday. I took him in about 10:00, stayed with him an hour, and then took off for my therapy appointment in Lake Oswego. Three hours later, I got back and found him quite nauseated. The pain picked up again soon, but no one came for the longest time. I went to ask for help and was told that the doctor would be informed, but still nothing. Finally, I went out and found the nurse herself. It was a crazy busy day in the ER today, and she was swamped. In addition, she hadn't even received the message that Mark had gotten worse. She thanked me for coming to find her and brought him a cocktail of Atavan and Dilautid and Benadryl. Finally, after he'd been there for five hours or so, he was knocked out cold. Over an hour later, they decided that, yes, they had finally kicked the pain and I could take him home. There was only one problem. He was so out that I had to put his shoes on for him and help him dress.

I've learned a few things in the last two weeks. I know now not to let go of him between the van and the front door and to stick within "catching distance" until he gets settled upstairs. I know now that when he says "I'm fine" but is stumbling all over the place ... he's not fine. I know now that when he talks nonsense, he expects a reply, but pretty much any reply will do since he's not really processing it in the first place. I know now that when he's so doped up, it is NOT condescending to speak to him like a child, to say, in no uncertain terms, "I am going to pick up the kids. Do NOT try to go down the stairs or you WILL fall." (Kaitlyn thought having her mom boss her dad around like a kid was pretty funny. I guess we have to find our humor wherever we can, eh?)

Tonight, when I put the boys to bed, Brendan said his prayer. "Dear God, we bless you. We draw pictures for you and send them to you, and we give you kisses so that if you feel bad, you will feel better soon. Amen." So God is sick and needs cheered up? Hmm...