The Burn Center gave us permission for D to see the kids today for half an hour out in the waiting area just outside the unit. He had not seen them in two weeks! My Dad (Grampa Fred) and I went down and my dad stayed with the babies and I went in to get D. It took about 25 minutes to get him up in his chair because of light-headedness and low bp. He had "dressed-up" for the occasion, wearing hospital scrubs instead of a gown and had even had the nurses wash his hair. We came out with his nurse and then another nurse followed because she wanted to see the babies. The nurses are really nice, but I knew having so many people "oohing and aawing" over them would make them shy. Usually when they see D, they get a big smile on their face, but this time they were a bit overwhelmed. I picked up Aaron first, because he is a bit more social and laid back. The first thing he did when D said "Hi" to him was turn into me and bury his face into my chest. Aaaw. I felt bad, but a few minutes later the nurses and my dad left us alone and then the kids started opening up to him and getting more comfortable.
We had a nice visit and took some pictures. The time went by too quickly, though and soon the nurse came out and told us to come back in the unit. D was impressed with how much they've changed in just two weeks. I didn't want to put them down on the hospital waiting room floor, but I really wanted D to see how well they can get around now with their soldier scoot.
D's foot is to be amputated on Monday and so we had a little farewell ceremony or foot funeral, if you will. They believe they can save the other foot by skin-grafting it with some good skin taken from the amputated foot. Even though D uses a wheelchair and doesn't walk on the foot, he still uses it to bear weight when he transfers in and out of his chair. So they are going to give him a simple, mostly cosmetic prosthetic that will help with that. It is still a bit dramatic to have any part of your body lobbed off, even if you don't use it much. But D says he is a bit relieved because that foot has given him problems for thirteen years.
After Monday, it will be back to the burn unit for seven or so more days. If all goes well, he will then be moved to the rehab unit of a different hospital for a few weeks. Rehab units are pretty laid back so I'm sure the kids will be able to visit there. When my mother was in a rehab hospital during her brain cancer, they even let us bring Abbey in to see her.
I'm getting over my anger at D and trying to focus on healing and moving on. I told him that things need to change because if they have to continue cutting of parts of his body that he doesn't take care of and all that is left of him is a head, I'm not going to carry it around in my purse.
So farewell, foot. Rest in Peace. Even though D's mother says that the Pope says you have to bury any body part that comes off of you (My sensitive response to this was to laugh my ass off. Catholics? Is this true?!?), we will not be missing you too much. Good-bye and Good riddance.
Hi! Sorry, I didn't even realize when I emailed back to your comment at my place that it was you!! I haven't visited often enough to realize that it was called twinklelittlestar! Well, I'm so glad that D got to see the kids... I totally imagine they change a lot in 2 weeks. I suppose I shouldn't say I am glad that D is getting a foot amputated, and know that I would be feeling a bit freaky about losing a body part, whether it worked or not, but if it's been causing trouble that long he'll probably be happy it's gone. Kind of like breaking up with someone you loved and hoped to be with for life cuz finally you can't stand the bad relationship anymore. So, here's to the funeral of the foot! (just don't put it down the toilet like the dead mouse on the Cosbies!) And I gotta say the head comment was pretty funny. tah!
Posted by: cluttergirl | August 07, 2005 at 01:06 AM