Victory lap

At the beginning of February, Hunter had a follow up appointment with his neurologist at UT Southwestern.  Our appointment was a bit of a disappointment, as we were seen by a nurse practitioner who had never met Hunter.  Thankfully, we didn't have anything really pressing to discuss or questions that we couldn't get from someone else.  There isn't really any follow up treatment for AIDP, just to continue therapy and manage pain.  So, we were released from the neurologist.  

It wasn't a wasted trip.  Before his appointment we went over to the Zale Lipshy ICU where he spent 3 months being cared for by an extraordinary team of doctors, nurses, aids, and therapist.  Hunter wanted to wait until he was walking to go back.  I asked him how he felt when we drove up, and he said "I've only come in on a helicopter and ambulance, so this doesn't really trigger anything."  For me, even though we had been out 11 months, it felt like yesterday.  To be honest, pulling up gave me a wave of anxiety.  Yes I was immensely thankful, but so many mornings I arrived to the hospital faced with a husband who couldn't breathe or move, who had MRSA infection in his lungs, and was severely immune compromised after a bone marrow infection.  Let me be clear, I could not face those things alone.  It was only strength given from God that allowed me to walk into his room day after day.  I cannot even explain the peace and assurance that Hunter and I both felt many times in his hospital room, only that it was from the Lord.    

The people that walk these halls are some of the finest and most talented professionals I believe I'll ever meet from the top down to the bottom.  Not only were the physicians extraordinarily wise, but they were compassionate too.  Hunter was a challenging case, and they dedicated so many hours with many specialists determining his care.  As a team, they had very little ego.  They knew when they could handle complications, and when to call in a colleague for their opinion.  We were included in daily rounds, and they never left a stone unturned.  But they listened when Mark, Jana, or I would share something regarding his history and made it clear that we were an asset to Hunter and not in the way.  I will never forget how the head of the ICU showed up every Monday that a new doctor took over to make sure Hunter's care plan was as seamless as possible.  Even with all his responsibilities, in times of crisis he was at our doorway.  I think of Dr. G, who on multiple occasions saved Hunter's life with his identifying and diagnosing problems and treating them quickly.  We will never forget their wisdom and knowledge. 

The nurses were way more than proficient at their job, but they treated us as people.  They looked at pictures of our family, and cared for Hunter as they would take care of a family member.  Nurses administered thousands of medications, repositioned him hundreds of times, and met his daily needs with grace and excellence.  It is such a talent to know how to be compassionate, how to be tough on someone, and when to respond with grace when someone is feeling at their worst.  It always amazed me how nurses know what hat to wear.  Not only did they take care of Hunter, but his family as well.  We will never forget their extraordinary care.    

As we walked down the hall, I saw several familiar faces.  They would recognize and look at me, then at Hunter, then their jaws fell open as they realized who stood before them.  Almost no one in ICU had ever seen him sitting upright, unless they had moved him to a chair.  He couldn't even sit on the side of the bed unassisted in the ICU, much less stand.  When he left them he could only slightly move his arms on the pillows.  His legs had no movement.  They were overjoyed to shake his hand and hear about how well he was doing.  Sadly, we didn't get to see near as many nurses and doctors as we had hoped.  The ones we talked with reassured us that they would pass on our thanks.  We didn't have time to go up to the therapy office, but they were probably with patients anyway.

We made our way to the respiratory office.  These men and women were responsible for the care of his ventilator, his neck care, and all his breathing treatments.  We saw them often, and they are top notch.  Hunter would have orders to be weaning off the vent, but these folks would be the encouragers and cheerleaders that he could do it.  They answered thousands of our questions, and helped guide Hunter through one of the scariest things he's ever done--weaning off a ventilator.  The respiratory therapist went with him to every procedure, were there for many of his therapy sessions, and so much more.  Of all the faces we saw, these were most familiar to Hunter.  We are thankful for their encouragement and dedication to their patients.  

We spotted Maria in the gift shop, and our trip wouldn't have been complete without giving her a hug.  Maria was a respiratory therapist who often asked to take care of Hunter.  She often sang over Hunter as she went about her work, shared with us that she prayed and lit candles for Hunter, and treated him like she would her own son.  What a blessing!

We also made a few phone calls to the staff working that night.  One particular night nurse that we were able to thank was on duty one night when Hunter crashed and I was at home.  She had taken care of Hunter many times, but that night she was with him when he had his terrible bleed.  I hadn't talked with her since that night.  She was on speaker, and when Hunter chimed in they both got emotional.  She had never heard his voice.  Usually people are in and out of the ICU fairly quickly, and they told us they rarely get to see how patients are doing after they leave.  I had sent them our Christmas card, and every single person on the floor mentioned that they had seen his picture.  God bless health care workers!  They give of themselves, miss holidays with their families, and do lots of hard and dirty work sometimes.  But they make such a difference!  Thanks to the staff of Zale Lipshy, we loved seeing you on our victory lap.  They Lord used these people to bring health and healing to Hunter, and I'm so thankful for each and every one of them.