Schweppes & Steps

A lot of things happened in the past 24 hours and we’re still figuring out some of them. First, late yesterday, doctors removed her NG tube, which went through her nose, down her throat, and into her stomach. Sharon was then cleared for having clear fluids. She said her first sip of ginger ale was like the nectar of the gods. Or at least like the nectar of the Schweppes. This occurred right after I posted about her going 7 days without food. Coincidence? I think not. Big Hospital is watching.

They also took away her magic button that released the IV pain meds. She is now taking a pill in the Oxy family, but not Oxy-Clean. We’re not sure how that is working yet. The first dose knocked her out for two hours and her breathing has been more shallow and painful. They reduced the dose and we are evaluating it. She has had to have oxygen on all day.

The last drain, in the stomach, was removed this morning. Her belly has since been rumbling, which could indicate that solid food may be on the menu soon. The doctors keep telling her that she’s the healthiest person in the Surgical ICU, but there are still no regular rooms available, or not enough personnel to handle the rooms that are.

In addition to doing her daily walks around the hall with the walker, Sharon went up three steps and then back down. She claims it was the tubes and wires connected to her that prevented her from doing more steps. When I did not have her proofing my posts, I might have disagreed or made a snide comment. Those days are gone. Unless she dozes off. Then it is fair game.

Sharon promised her nurse Sydney, that she would get a mention in today's blog. I quoted her the industry average rate for paid mentions and got the look formerly known as "stink eye". So here is a complimentary mention of Sydney, the ICU nurse for all your surgery recovery needs.

I also have a call into Schweppes to cash in on their earlier mention. If I don’t hear back by morning, Canda Dry here we come!