Goodbye, ICU!

Walking into Dave's room yesterday (Friday), I immediately knew he was feeling at least slightly better and more like himself. The TV was on and the nurse smiled and told me Dave thought she was only 26 years old (she was 43). He had been starting to show some hostility towards some of the many people in and out of his room for therapy (nurses, respiratory therapy, PT, occupational therapy, pain management, etc), so trying to flirt with one of the nurses was an excellent sign!

They've pulled a few of his tubes (chest tube, epidural, neck IV), but there are still a bunch to go before he's fully disconnected. At this point, the one that is driving him the craziest is the NG tube up his nose and into his throat to stop anything from getting down his esophagus. The doctor also started him on some tube feedings (yum, yum) yesterday afternoon. It did occur to me that between having nothing to eat or drink (of course, they are keeping him hydrated via IV fluids), being sleep deprived by the constant need to be rolled over for various forms of therapy, and not seeing natural light for several days, plus all the medication, it's no wonder he's a little batty.

He got moved out of the ICU yesterday evening. His new room has a window he can actually see out. He called at 8:00 this morning and said he got better sleep last night (a couple of 2 hour blocks of sleep), his pain level is much more tolerable than it has been, and he was thrilled to see the sun shining in his window!

He's already devising ways he thinks the hospital can improve their systems - he wants a flow chart hanging on his wall outlining his medication schedule and therapy sessions. He wants me to give him the outside phone number to the nurses' station so he can call them directly if they don't answer his call button.

I know he still has a long way to go, but I feel like he's on his way. Last night was the first decent night's sleep I've had in a while too.

Thanks everyone who has posted for your kind thoughts and encouraging words.