Slow but Sure

As is true with any healing process

the path is long, progress seems slow,

days are long, nights feel even longer

the pain is depressing

and the time it takes to be well seems to last forever.

But healing is a "gotta go through it" journey.

One can rarely skip steps and achieve a good result.

Gerry's healing journey over the past few days

has been less than enjoyable or encouraging.

Sunday afternoon started a series of "I can't get comfortable"moments, 

which turned to minutes, hours & days of the same.

His skin took on a "greenish", waxy hue.

His eyes showed discomfort.

It was a tough experience for him 

since he expected to make daily progress toward feeling better.

Today he had one of the two chest tubes removed.

The chest tubes are part of a suction system 

to keep the chest clear of unwanted fluid.

They are an important part of healing after thoracic surgery.

They are also very uncomfortable 

because it's like having hoses twisted all through the chest cavity.

They press on the spine and bother the heart sometimes,

They make it hard to find a restful position in which to lie or sit.

Having one of the chest tubes removed this afternoon has been a relief.

Although it is rather painful to have it taken out

there is less pressure in Gerry's chest 

and he feels happy about that.

He's gotten his healthy skin tone back already

and his voice sounds stronger and more joyful.

Dr. Merav expects to remove the other tube & pump 

either Wednesday or Thursday.

Gerry is expected to go home either Thursday or Friday.

In the meantime 

Christie's doctor thinks she has some sort of virus that's going round.

She's on the "Z-pack" antibiotics 

and is instructed to come back Friday if she doesn't feel better.

Hopefully Christie will feel better before Gerry comes home

so that rooms & bedding can be disinfected.

Although we try to be a family that shares

this should not be one of those "sharing moments".

The last thing Gerry needs is the virus that's going round!

Josie has been coming to Gerry's room after school to do her homework.

She's trying to take advantage of sitting by a window 

overlooking the James House & the Hudson River

while she reads and studies.

It's going to be hard for her 

to go back to sitting in the kitchen to hit the books!

Thank you to everyone who has reached out to us.

We truly appreciate the visits, calls, texts, emails & blog comments.

We will forever remember the kindness of our friends

to help us around the house, at the hospital & at school.

With Love,

Gerry, Korina, Christie & Josie