It’s 1pm and the preliminaries are getting under way. I’m now hooked up to the saline IV until after the infusion which is currently scheduled for 3pm.
The overnight sleep was in fits and starts as one might expect as I got used to the room, the floor and the procedures. Last vitals were around 9:30pm and the next at 2am. As I’m the new guy they didn’t need me to wake up for the usual BP, temperature and pulse oxygen. From here on out there will be a 2am wake up call. 🙁
In addition to that there are night staff just walking in and looking around to see that you have not escaped and appear to be alive. I think at some point I’ll be able to tune out those quick in & out checks.
6am, we’re up and by “we” I mean me and my room mate. Lights on and we both get the full battery of tests, BP, Temp PulseOX, blood work, plus the questions to ensure you’re not cognitively compromised and the hand writing sample. I’m told this will be the new standard every 8 hours (or more).
After that I get a bit more sleep as we turn off the lights and just hangout in the room. Breakfast arrives while I‘m dozing and I’m on clear liquids & jello. Not sure why. In a while Shirley will arrive for a visit and she is bringing treats like Starbucks☕️ and supplies from “home” (aka Kathy’s).
A full lunch arrives and it’s quite good! Hot things arrive hot, really hot!
At one point in the morning a team from the ICU at Mt. Sinai (next door to PMH and connected by a walkway) show up as promised , to check in. Two young doctors introduce themselves and say they will be getting familiar with my chart and following up daily. It’s good that’s they are prepared, and I hope to never see them at their place of work. 😜
So, by about 4:45pm the infusion process is complete. There were no problems and I’m currently feeling fine, but tired, mainly due to the Benadryl and some due to the emotions of the process and the day. More later tonight or tomorrow. So thankful for the miracle.