A few Days Later

Written Feb 24, 2023

I was transported to Lawrence Memorial Hospital in New London, CT.  According to my chart, there was a delay in the transport because of waiting for a bed in the ICU at LMH. This story will sound choppy because I am reading my hospital chart and my family is trying to fill in as much as they remember. One of my doctors decided that I was getting better, so he ordered to remove the tubing. Garry told me that at one point the doctor asked Garry if he would like to have me put in a room where he and my daughters could come in to say goodbye. I heard later that Garry was pissed and told him to do all they could to save my life! So, I was intubated once more, and in doing so my vocal cords took a beating. My voice comes and goes but it usually sounds pretty rough. Not the worst thing that happened to me. I was "prone" every day. I did better when I was on my stomach. I remember only one thing while in ICU. That was when I was brought out of the coma to extubate myself. I had to help them by coughing when the nurse told me to while she removed the tubing.  And she asked me to say something. With tears in my eyes, I creaked out, Thank You! I remember her touching my cheeks to take off the old bandages to put a softer bandage on over the scabs from adhesives that were used to keep all the tubing in place. I still have a light scar on my right cheek, which show more than usual. She told me to keep coughing up stuff. If I improved by nightfall, I could be moved out of ICU to the other ward for Covid patients. I still am following my hospital chart. The nurse did tell me I am sick with Covid. I remember that I wanted ice chips and a drink and My Garry!  Everything was answered with, "we'll ask the nurse or the doctor, you should just rest now.  I remember the transfer to the Covid Floor. I looked up to see a sign that said, Covid Ward/Critical Care. And a handwritten sign in bold letters saying Complete SUIT UP! I am going to stop here. I will pick you up from this spot. 

 So long for now...💙