Jess' Bonus Visit and Bodacious Boys

15Dec

Because Dj is here visiting, I am able to make myself available to Carla & Jess as needed. On our second post-transplant visit we found her sitting up in a chair - this affords the body better opportunity for lung expansion, thereby further reducing the work done by the ventilator. Jess grinned at us when we walked in and as soon as we had shed our coats, she started waving her hands about and pointing at her feet (still encased in those sexy Anti-E sox and now wrapped in pressure sleeves). I asked if there was something wrong with her feet, she nodded and I asked if they were sore (possibly from the swelling) or just itchy from the sox. She responded by putting both hands out in front of herself and drawing her fingers back toward her thumbs and out again, repeatedly and with increasing urgency.

“Oh, you would like a foot massage?” I laughed and she promptly grinned and nodded. So we spent about 40 minutes engaged in this...

We had some news to share with her but were concerned about her reaction - given the excitement it caused the previous day when we shared email and text messages. Once I explained the news, Penny assured us that we should go ahead and tell her and she would closely watch Jess’ vitals. If they got out of hand, she would adjust her sedative, to calm her down if needed. We prefaced the news by telling Jess she had to remain calm - she nodded that she would do her best. Carla then told her that we would be heading to Billy Bishop later to pick up Brad who was coming to see her. We didn’t expect the reaction we got...at all!

Jess got a quizzical look on her face, then her eyes opened wide, she teared up and started to shake her head. She didn’t want him to come??

We quickly asked if she was in pain, to which she vigorously shook her head. Then it clicked for me...so I said, “Jess...listen. Brad got a day off from work so he could come for a short visit now, but don’t worry - he is still coming back at Christmas!”

She had thought he had maybe changed his plans to come earlier and took a minute to process that, and then she realized she was getting a bonus visit, not loosing her precious Christmas visit...and then she smiled...really big!

Jess was now able to attend to her own need for water. Although she still hadn't lost all the tubing, she could do her own swabs - a treat she engaged in as often as someone was willing to wet the sponges for her.

15Dec, approx 10.5 hrs Post-transplant

Brad had kindly provided me with photos of him and the boys, so I printed copies and took them to TGH so we could post them up in her room. Fine looking bunch don’t you think?

We sure hope his new job comes with a great benefits plan for all those weak eyes and crooked teeth!

Jess got her call around midnight on 13Dec. Went to TGH around 2am 14Dec and was taken to the OR around 7:30pm that day. She was moved from recovery to the ICU around 3:00am on 15Dec and when I went to visit again on 16Dec - this is how she greeted me...

16Dec - approximately 33 hrs post-transplant

This woman means business and is not wasting any time depending on machines! She is now on a low flow of oxygen and working her way out of ICU. She’ll be in step-down (ACU) in no time...