Dan is now on the 7th floor at Mayo. It's not rehab, but they have more equipment etc. including lifts and slings enabling nurses to get Dan up and in a chair. The chair sling doesn't work that well since Dan is so big. Here's what it reminds me of:
The 7th floor is a relatively new addition to Mayo, and it is nice and spacious, we call it "the penthouse". Dan moved in yesterday. It was a difficult day yesterday, as the doctors decided to also remove his catheter before moving to the new floor. Getting the catheter out after about 45 days is a good thing, however, the nurses on the new floor are not familiar with us like the 3rd floor where he was, the 7th floor does not usually take transplant patients, and the day nurse was not very responsive. By the time I got home Sunday night and after processing the disastrous afternoon and evening with Dan's folks, I went right back to the hospital and was able to speak with the transplant PA on duty (Mark Burns, one of our favorites) and the lead nurse on the 7th floor. On the drive back, I prayed God would fix everything that needed fixing, and also hold my tongue so I could be forthright with my complaints in kindness and not exploding in rage like I felt. And God heard my cry. By the time I got back, the night nurse had taken care of the immediate needs already, Dan was comfortable and stable, and peace filled the room. Mark Burns came up to visit and explained why things happened the way they did. And the team leader for the night nurses came in to hear my story, thankfully by that time I was in more control and was able to share my concerns, and within minutes several other needs were met. I decided to stay the night to be sure Dan was cared for well, and he was. Dan's folks are there for the morning and I came home to update the blog and catch a nap before returning to the hospital this afternoon.
By the way, Dan has been exercising like crazy the past few days, on a tilt board standing at 30 degrees and doing squats (up to 3 reps of 15) and doing arm exercises with a weighted pole. He's able to stand straight up now and we hope PT will get him walking again. I am also hopeful to take Dan outside again in the wheelchair, with no more IV's connected, it will be much easier and we can stay out longer. The weather turned cool the past few days, highs now in the 70s, so what a beautiful time to be outside enjoying Mayo's healing garden.
God is sure good,
Debbie and Dan
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