Post by Kristen Gamauf on Jan 27, 2006 0:12:11 GMT -5
Today Mike moved out of the SICU into a normal hospital room on the 5th floor. A NORMAL HOSPITAL ROOM PEOPLE!
He of course never got to see a normal, non-ICU, hospital room on his previous stay.
Ironically, Marsha, the nurse who took care of him his first night in the SICU, took care of him this morning. She and Verdell wheeled him up to the 5th floor and said their goodbye's and congrats! We talked to Marsha quite some time, which was nice. She told Mike about some of the hardest times we went through and how important our family and friends have been through all this. She said it is so nice to have a happy ending like this--that he is one in a million. That people like Mike and our family and friends make their job all worth it.
We got to talk to Dr. Muakkassa today when he made his rounds, like old times! Except this time Mike got to listen in. It was really cool. Dr. Muakkassa told us that Mike's story has taught many health-care professionals a lot and inspired them. Several folks peeked in to see Mike while I was there including Doug and Erica. Doug joked with Mike that he probably is itching to drive that Mustang...Mike concurred.
I still just couldn't believe how ironic everything seems. As we followed Mike being wheeled to the 4th floor blue elevator to exit the ICU floor, all that ran through my mind was how many times we watched people being wheeled out and wished to God it was Mike. That moment today for some reason struck a nerve with me.
Like I say, it's as if everything has come full circle.
The staff on the 5th floor seem just as nice as all the others we've met. Our 4th floor friends have made it a point I think to let everyone know that Mike is a special patient and has been through a lot. Not to say they like him more than others, but they know he is very lucky to be here.
We will still sometime have to stop back in and visit the folks on the 3rd floor PICU, so if any are reading this, eventually we'll be back to say hi. Plus, there's a few others on the 4th floor we didn't get to see, including many of the "guys" as they call them up there. We have told Mike on numerous occasions of how Bruce used to spritz him with a water bottle and stuff...he can only imagine how that went down. Plus there's "the intern" as we've teased Mike, which I say jokingly because she was very kind and caring and thought my parents did a nice job on Mike! But in all seriousness, there are TONS of people who have come together in a cumulative effort to help Mike--even if only for one night.
Mike will get his bandage and drain tube off tomorrow. Dr. Markarian stopped by today to check on him. If the wound is okay tomorrow for awhile after being exposed, then he will be cleared to go home. If there's still discharge, then he will have to stay and continue to be monitored.
Grandma & Grandpa stopped tonight too to see him. He seemed in better spirits today, with less pain. He was off the oxygen today, as he had some through the nose yesterday. Mike also ate two healthy meals. By healthy I mean hefty not healthy. But for not eating for so long, it is understandable. I forgot to mention too that last night Mike's buds Kurt, Brian, and George stopped down. So did our cousin Deonna. Thanks!
He for the time being is in 5115, but possibly not for long. Take care, and I'll keep posting periodically to let you know how things are going. Or else, I'll make Mike write it.
He of course never got to see a normal, non-ICU, hospital room on his previous stay.
Ironically, Marsha, the nurse who took care of him his first night in the SICU, took care of him this morning. She and Verdell wheeled him up to the 5th floor and said their goodbye's and congrats! We talked to Marsha quite some time, which was nice. She told Mike about some of the hardest times we went through and how important our family and friends have been through all this. She said it is so nice to have a happy ending like this--that he is one in a million. That people like Mike and our family and friends make their job all worth it.
We got to talk to Dr. Muakkassa today when he made his rounds, like old times! Except this time Mike got to listen in. It was really cool. Dr. Muakkassa told us that Mike's story has taught many health-care professionals a lot and inspired them. Several folks peeked in to see Mike while I was there including Doug and Erica. Doug joked with Mike that he probably is itching to drive that Mustang...Mike concurred.
I still just couldn't believe how ironic everything seems. As we followed Mike being wheeled to the 4th floor blue elevator to exit the ICU floor, all that ran through my mind was how many times we watched people being wheeled out and wished to God it was Mike. That moment today for some reason struck a nerve with me.
Like I say, it's as if everything has come full circle.
The staff on the 5th floor seem just as nice as all the others we've met. Our 4th floor friends have made it a point I think to let everyone know that Mike is a special patient and has been through a lot. Not to say they like him more than others, but they know he is very lucky to be here.
We will still sometime have to stop back in and visit the folks on the 3rd floor PICU, so if any are reading this, eventually we'll be back to say hi. Plus, there's a few others on the 4th floor we didn't get to see, including many of the "guys" as they call them up there. We have told Mike on numerous occasions of how Bruce used to spritz him with a water bottle and stuff...he can only imagine how that went down. Plus there's "the intern" as we've teased Mike, which I say jokingly because she was very kind and caring and thought my parents did a nice job on Mike! But in all seriousness, there are TONS of people who have come together in a cumulative effort to help Mike--even if only for one night.
Mike will get his bandage and drain tube off tomorrow. Dr. Markarian stopped by today to check on him. If the wound is okay tomorrow for awhile after being exposed, then he will be cleared to go home. If there's still discharge, then he will have to stay and continue to be monitored.
Grandma & Grandpa stopped tonight too to see him. He seemed in better spirits today, with less pain. He was off the oxygen today, as he had some through the nose yesterday. Mike also ate two healthy meals. By healthy I mean hefty not healthy. But for not eating for so long, it is understandable. I forgot to mention too that last night Mike's buds Kurt, Brian, and George stopped down. So did our cousin Deonna. Thanks!
He for the time being is in 5115, but possibly not for long. Take care, and I'll keep posting periodically to let you know how things are going. Or else, I'll make Mike write it.