AlisonH
My niece Emily has been in the ICU: she caught the flu, got worse, started barfing and her (tween? Tell me he’s not a teenager yet?) son called my sister and said, Grammy, Mom needs you.
My sister went over and called an ambulance.
Emily’s kidneys had shut down and things were very very bad.
This afternoon she was moved out of the ICU, where she’s been the past week.
Today she ate solid food for the first time. Some.
She feels–well, she’s definitely had more fun than this.
Everything. Everything. Is looking far better than it did. We can start to breathe again.
Today Mom and Dad told us Dad’s in hospice care now. Dad’s favorite caretaker can still come and that made the decision easy.
This is another of the amaryllises from Dad last fall where the TSA thought the bulb was a bomb.
This is not how I usually photograph them and I wondered why I was doing it this way as I snapped another from the same angle rather than changing it. Why… And then I got out of the sun and put it back on the porch and that was that.
I did not see till I went to post the picture: it was taken looking straight down so that the stem that supports the blossoms is out of direct sight–but you can infer where it held the sunlight within itself by how it left only its shadow to our eyes. But it is real, it is there, it is strong against the winds outside, and there where it cannot directly be seen, it holds the glorious colorwork steady.
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I’m so glad about your niece, and so sorry about your Dad. All these transitions seem to come at once. Having the amaryllises must help, if anything can.
Comment by Pegi F 04.15.19 @ 12:17 amA blessing, indeed.
Comment by Jayleen Hatmaker 04.15.19 @ 6:29 amThat’s very good news about a bad situation with your niece, indeed. And I’m sorry about your dad. Lovely flower!
Comment by ccr in MA 04.15.19 @ 6:48 amDad is on hospice because he won’t recover, but not because the end is imminent. It’s a designation for services, at this point, that make things a little easier. As the mother of the niece, she had severe pneumonia and sepsis, and we are grateful for the miracle that she made it through. She has a slow recovery ahead, but she’ll make it.
Comment by Marian J Stoddard 04.15.19 @ 8:16 amI’m glad your mom and dad are accepting additional assistance and seem to be comfortable with the decision. Hope Emily’s recovery progress is smooth and steady. Thank you for sharing your photos!
Comment by DebB 04.15.19 @ 12:00 pmWe had hospice for my husband and they were a big help. Many who need hospice wait too long when they could benefit from the services sooner. I am glad your folks are taking this step now rather than waiting. Hugs to all.
Comment by Sherry in Idaho 04.15.19 @ 2:51 pmWell, sounds like prayers were answered. I have heard more about sepsis in the last 6 months, than in the last 40 years. It seems to be getting more common and it is definitely dangerous. We are really only hurting the “herd health” when we over-use antibiotics and under-use vaccines. Medicine needs a re-think.
I hope the extra care and services make your Mum and Dad’s lives easier.
I will add you all to my prayers.
Chris S in Canada
Best of wishes to your niece, your dad, you, and the family. Modern medicine can only do so much, but the power of human connection is priceless.
Comment by DebbieR 04.16.19 @ 7:17 pmSending more prayers for a continued recovery for your niece.
I’m so glad your father gets to have someone with him who brings a sense of familiarity and confidence.
Comment by Suzanne in Montreal 04.23.19 @ 7:44 amLeave a comment
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