Best wishes to you and kopek, one of the nicest posters on this board. I just found out this morning and I’m so glad to read the good news.
I’m going with ‘no news’ is good news!
(:))
YAAAY, counting to 2 is a really big deal!
Brief update because I’m tired, hungry, frustrated and I don’t want to be the responsible adult right now.
He’s running a slight temperature, is off of a few more meds, they’re watching brain swelling, they did a new EEG late this afternoon for results tomorrow. He’s not tolerating the nourishment stuff well. He was making no movements and never opened his eyes while I was there. The biggest concern remains the oxygen deprivation. It’s a disappointment after yesterday but the nurse assured me it’s basically status quo.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Pace yourself. Please be patient, be kind to yourself.
You’re in my continued prayers.
StG
Praying for him, and for you tonight, OW… HUGS Hang in there!
My late former mother-in-law was a nurse, and she told me something that’s stood me in good stead: recuperation is not a continuum. Some days there’ll be evident progress, and some days there won’t be.
I’m still praying for him and for you.
Completely understandable. Be good to yourself, take care of yourself. If you don’t take care of yourself you can’t take care of anyone else. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. You MUST make an effort to get rest and proper food. Sending my best wishes to you both.
What everyone else is saying about taking care of yourself. Get as much sleep as you can, that heals YOU. Get regular meals of real food, not just stuff snatched in the hospital cafeteriaIif they have one, or not fast food. If you don’t feel like cooking, treat yourself to a restaurant meal, where someone serves you, and don’t feel guilty.
Will continue prayers for you and kopek.
Thanks, everyone. I know all of that but it had been a long, cold, rainy day and an always annoying lady on the morning bus made the mistake of saying something to me that was completely unnecessary and obnoxious (I looked her in the eye from across the aisle and said, “Lady, I have just had the most phenomenally shitty weekend, so do not start with me – just do not start because you will not win.”) She started to open her mouth again, saw the look on my face, and then thought better of it. Wise woman.
I was just looking forward to seeing his eyes open.
And yes, I am going in to work because it keeps me occupied and my co-workers are pretty darn nice (although I’ve decided not to share this with the whole place yet, just the people who need to know and HR).
And FCM, this is for you: I got a packet of stuff from a charity called Boys Ranch (never heard of them, certainly never sent them money, didn’t even know that’s where boys came from), but among the address labels, notepad, birthday cards and fancy stickers are – are you ready? – four cardboard coasters with our last initial and last name on them (“Enjoy these coasters with our compliments!”). I damn near fell over laughing. Do you have monogrammed coasters? If not, get on their mailing list and get some of your own! 
We just received that very same package from Boys Ranch. I also had to laugh. Note that the cardboard coasters have the initial printed on both sides. This way when the moisture soaks through the coaster (in about five minutes) the ink on the back can leave a nice imprint on the furniture or tablecloth. Nice touch.
I’m glad you are going to work but I hope you also feel that you can take some time off if you need it. But distraction is useful too. You’re so kind to keep us all informed; know that we are all pulling for you and Kopek. And keep on giving the annoying people on the bus (or wherever) hell!
HAH! No, I never received complimentary coasters in the mail from anyone, but I’ll pass on the opportunity to receive even more junk mail. Also, good job with the woman on the bus - I’m sure she didn’t learn a thing from the encounter, but her type probably never does.
Hmmm, did it occur to you that **kopek **didn’t open his eyes just to screw with you? Would he yank your chain like that?? :dubious: OK, maybe not. But you can grill him when he comes out of this. I won’t reiterate all the advice that’s been offered to you, but know that I (and we) remain with you in spirit thru this. We’re all pulling for our friend!
Hang in there!
Just remind him that he still has to confirm the rumor that I’m gay, WHAT?!?!? I’M GAY?!?!*
*INGO
Old Wench, I hope kopek is messing with you, concerning the eyes!
Now, going to work sounds like a good thing, but how are you eating? And sleeping? I’m glad you got a chance to vent at the bus woman.
Ah** swampie**, you keep dashing my hopes. You’re only six month older than me, you like good food, have a sense of humor, and are Whiskeypalian like me. If it wasn’t for that one teensy thing,(well maybe not so teensy) I’d be after you like you can’t imagine. Tell OYKW he has good taste.
I think he is screwing with you. 
Hugs to both of you, even if one of you isn’t aware of them.
People were amazed at how much I continued to work when my husband was ill, but in many ways it was the only island of normal in a sea of overwhelming… stuff. For a few hours I was occupied with something other than the calamities in my life.
If work helps you then by all means continue to work.
Do keep HR and other need-to-know people up to date with what’s happening. You might want to look into FMLA even if you don’t intend to use it right now so if you do need it you’ll know what to do to get it.
That’s exactly it for me too. Also, the hospital is right across the river and through the woods (well, a wooded park/commons) from my office – I can see the Cardiac ICU waiting room windows from our office. I got my FMLA paperwork yesterday and once he gets a little further along so that the doctors have all of the information to fill it out re: assistance, etc., I’ll give it to them. I’ve also got his medical leave request papers from Da Jungle which I’ll take in tomorrow for completion.
I did not go in today. I had a very bad night and just couldn’t do it. I finally got to bed around 6:00 a.m. (after making a pot of coffee and a pot of rice because for some reason that’s what I wanted at 5:00 a.m.). When I got up, I went to our local diner for the best bacon cheeseburger ever and let them know about him.
Update in next post.
Tuesday:
Mostly good news: His temperature is down, all IV medications have been stopped, the ventilator has been turned down, and he’s tolerating the nourishment now that his stomach has started moving things along. He is now completely warm, arms look better but hands are still swollen. He showed obvious discomfort and opened his eyes when the nurse did something uncomfortable with the ventilator suction. And I finally saw the bruising on his chest from the CPR.
The disappointing news is that the CPAP apnea ventilator test earlier today did not go well.
Overall, I think he’s still a bit better than yesterday. The prayers are definitely working and I feel much better than I did last night.
I also had a wonderful bacon cheeseburger at our local dive diner and then procured dark-chocolate-filled medicinal Oreos.
Yay for betters and burgers! HUGS Prayers ongoing