August 13 (Monday) - midnight

I stopped by the hospital this evening and visited with Rich again, and he was in good spirits, and looking forward to getting well.   He's frustrated because his balance is off some, and he can tell its going to be a while before he's swinging the golf clubs.  Just getting down the hall he said is the equivalent of playing 18 holes.   He also said: "I just take it one day at a time, not much else you can do."  

His big cast was gone, and he was now sporting a much lighter version.   But it still restricts what he can do with his left hand, and even simple tasks can be an issue.   When I got there one of the nurses was working with him doing breathing exercises, and that went well.   He is very anxious to see Jeannette, and I think when Sam gets back in town they are going to work out the logistics to make that happen.

As for Jeannette, she had another good day today, and even managed to carry on a conversation of sorts over a cell phone, talking to Sam down in Seattle.  Wow.   That might not seem like much, i.e. a cell phone conversation, but it's a huge step of progress from my perspective.   Her all important "numbers" were even "better" today and the medical team appears very pleased at her progress.   There is even talk about her follow on care, i.e. moving her out of the critical care unit (ICU) at Providence into another critical care unit (ICU) at St Elias.   St Elias is a hopspital associated with the Providence system, but better set up for patients needing longer term care, and thats the next logical step once she gets strong enough to leave the unit at Providence.   That's obviously another step in the right direction, and to my way of thinking marks a huge improvement in the big scheme of things.   When I heard that it put a real smile on my face!     

The big news is that Maryann has to return back to the east coast for work, and Sam will be coming into town on Wednesday to take over the detail work that is oh-so-important.   Right now a lot of discussions are taking place between the hospital, doctors, insurance companies, etc, trying to find the right "next step" once they each are able to leave the hospital.   None of that has been nailed down yet, and Maryann has been meeting with lots of people and doing research on what the best options are.    It's very clear Rich will need some nursing support for quite a while, and he's a long way from being able to drive a car or take total care of himself.   Likewise, Jeannette's recovery process and long term "discharge plan" has to be figured out too, and the options are many and they all have to be researched.   

Just to make this clear, Jeannette is still not ready for visitors except for the very few who Sam and Maryann have cleared.   While she is in the ICU, at Providence or St Elias, it just isn't the place, and the familiy wants to avoid adding any risk factors to her recovery.  So, for the near future please do not visit her.    That said, she is improving, and with the tenacity she has shown, it makes it very clear to me that before too long that will change.  When the family is ready to allow friends to visit, I'll let you know.

Rich shared some of the issues with me tonight, and it's clear the "what's next?" questions are on his mind. But he admitted it's just too overwhelming to try and research all of the options, and he's really glad to have Maryann and Sam figuring out a plan that makes sense.   From my perspective as a friend and outside observer, it's all tremendously good news to hear these discussions taking place.  I'd much rather listen to them talk about extended care facilities, home/nurse options, etc, than the critical health decisions that were the norm only a few weeks ago.    As Rich put it so well, "Can't sweat the small stuff--just glad to be here."  I don't remember his exact words, but that quote is pretty close.

I'll end this update with a confession--I'm going fishing.   My 92 year old dad is in town, and so I'm going to take him out to chase the silvers, and while I'm doing that I may be "off the grid."  I know....what up about the updates????   Well, my plan as it stands now is to make the next update on Thursday night or Friday morning.   By then Sam will be back in town, Maryann will be back on the east coast, and some of the questions bouncing around right now will likely be resolved.   Hopefully, that will work for everyone.    Maryann and Sam will make a note here if something really needs reporting, but otherwise the quite lack of news that goes with a slow and steady recovery is a welcome change.

So, as I close this update, I'll add that this is a great time to visit Rich; he's mentally "all there" and he enjoys his visitors.   My assessment of his hospital room is it can be pretty boring, and when visitors show up it allows Maryann more time to be upstairs in the ICU to check on Jeannette.  Don't forget to put on the yellow gown and gloves---everyone, including the hospital staff, is still doing that and it's important.   It protects Rich, and it protects the other hospital patients as well.--John (note that this was editted on Tuesday morning)