Daudy-Friday, 6/18

I went to work in the morning but wasn't really needed and after a few texts from Wil, I knew I wouldn't be of much worth at work and headed back to the hospital.  There we sat and waited and anticipated change and answers that didn't seem to come.  We visited with family and friends that stopped by, who were all a bit surprised by how Alvin was.  He had visits from sisters, in laws, pastors, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

At those visits, he always opened his eyes and at times, we felt he followed and sometimes, we felt he knew who it was.  However, he never attempted to talk and he never squeezed our hand when we asked him to.  He does put his hands to his face to attempt to move his mask at times.

The special moment for Mary and I was when Brennan came to see him.  He really wanted to see Daudy, but it was a bit hard for him to see him like that and he didn't want to get too close.  Before he left, he wanted to say goodbye.  He stood by the bed and quietly said goodbye and waved.  I touched Daudy's face and said, "Dad, Brennan is here and wants to say goodbye".  He opened his eyes quite big and seemed to keep them open.  Mary descried it as eyes that wanted to smile.  It was a picture that we only have in our minds and Wil was sad that he wasn't there for it.

Late afternoon his Oxygen saturation dropped down to the low 80's, he had a low grade temp and his heart rate was up.  His Nurse called the Doctor, who ordered a BiPap Ventilator, an assistive machine with a mask that is strapped to his face.  After that he rested much better, with no more moaning.  His heart just had to work too hard before and he was wearing down.  We had hoped that after a good night of that, he would be responding this morning.  The Nurse did say that she had given him several doses of morphine during the night.

Sawyer and Jeremiah in the stroller and Brennan looking at Daudy without getting too close at first.

Wil very tired, juggling work and also being there for Dad.  Not to mention, keeping track of all the details.

Sue and David arrived from Kansas around 3:30

A private goodbye moment, but too precious to not share.

 

Worn out siblings as we relive and relay all the details to Sue and David.

Respiratory therapy giving Dad relief with the BiPap.