Jim's spirit is returning!
I walk into the room and he has changed the white board - the nurses communication board. It used to say daily plan - showers, mouth rinses, walks. Now it says - plan b: no shower, spit rinses only - and he erases walks. lol. He is conversing in his way - wry sense of humor, witty jokes, with all the nursing staff. They enjoy his attitude. he is getting up much more, walking around the room. We will attempt a few laps around the ward later.
He is trying to decide between chicken or fish for lunch. His appetite is back and he's hungry. He chooses the chicken with a baked potato, carrots, yogurt, fruit, dinner roll, apple pie. He eats the potato, carrots, fruit, 1/2 the dinner roll, puts the pie away for later, and gives me the chicken. The doctor has warned him about NOT eating a lot of insoluable fiber foods, such as whole grains, brocolli, anything we old folks consider "roughage." He is also told to stay away from orange and grapefruit juices. They also warn him of the possibilty of become lactose intolerant. Not much of a problem as he enjoys soy or almond milk.
We are still not sure what they are going to do about the medications he is going to need to continue. Jim cannot swallow very large pills and several he has been taking are very large and he cannot get them down. We will talk with the pharmacist tomorrow about liquid forms or crushing pills and putting them into gel caps. We'll see.
Two of Jim's friends called. He gets so upbeat when someone calls, it make him feel wanted, needed and loved. He has one friend who has called every day he's been in Seattle. He doesn't talk very long, but he sure is in a better mood when the calls are over.
Today is Rosilyn's 6th birthday. We haven't missed one party. . . until now. I called to tell her we miss her and to wish her a happy bday from both of us. She is so grown up.
Deb