Sylvia's Journal

Another big piece of news today is that Axel will be having surgery on his arm on Monday morning at 7:30am. They will be administering general anesthesia, and will have a breathing tube put in (this time much more gently, and he will be asleep, so it won’t be traumatic, or scary or anything like that). The anesthesiologist was very reassuring, and seemed highly competent, even with her Patriots head wrap on. I met again with the orthopedic lady who told us all about the actual operation – they will put a rod through his bone and put screws on either end. Simple enough for me – I don’t need to know any more. The operation will take about 2.5 hours, then he will be in the recovery room for a few hours. After this is over, and he’s back to bed, some other team will come in and will evaluate how long they think he will need to recuperate from the surgery – after that, off to rehab! It seems like they might send him to Shaugnassey (?) in Salem – which would be great for us caretakers – less driving, more family time.
I’m sure I’ve missed something – oh! My father has moved. The man in the room with him was really sick, moaning and groaning, screaming, and his family of 43 was around his bed all day (all very nice folks) so they decided to move him to a private room, and gave my dad the window bed, as Tess and I have been requesting. This is a much nicer setup – much like my mother’s – he now has a sill on which he can keep all the beautiful bouquets of flowers they have received – One of the nurses came in and said, “It’s like a regular greenhouse in here!” We did some interior decorating, as we had done in Sylvia’s room – hung some new curtains, put knick knacks and photos all around, found some nice old blanket of Herman’s in case he gets cold – looks quite homey I must say.
Tonight was the most fun part of the day – after my dad got situated on his new side of the room, we wheeled my mom in with a handful of roses for a nice Friday night TV date. My father wanted to try to stay up as late as possible so he could try to sleep through the night, so he thought it’d be nice to be old farts together and watch tv, hold hands and sip on Styrofoam cups of cranberry juice and zoethout tea. It was a very romantic scene when Jim and I finally left at 9:30 – them holding hands, her spoon-feeding him yogurt, watching Monk. I felt at peace leaving them like that, it felt complete, they looked absolutely beatific and charming and so in love.
Hopefully tomorrow you will have an update from Sylvia herself – she has been frantically writing all day today, and I’m sure she’s got a lot to share with you from her side!
Thanks again for all the support!
xoxo, a very sleepy sita.

Side note: Just got home from the hospital – wrote in the car, which seems to be the best way to maximize my sleep time, but came home to find Steve and Tess still awake. We’re having a Friday night after all, sitting outside in Oma’s lawn chairs and watching shooting stars – another welcome break. Tomorrow Steve and I will prepare the house and Tessa and Jim will man the hospital – Tessa’s cell isn’t working but you can reach Jim at (508) 369-9517 if it’s necessary to call – but please, only if you need to arrange a visit. Otherwise you can call the hospital and ask if he’s in the mood to receive visitors.
And – if you call him, please be prepared to have no longer than a 30 second long conversation – He is always really excited to hear peoples voices, but it’s hard for him to hold the phone up for too long, so if you call – let him know who you are, say hello and make him laugh, let him know how important he is/how it’s going to be so great when he comes home – and then let it be. Please, please, please don’t say “I’m so glad you’re alive…” Today this caused some problems because he’s beginning to come to terms with the fact that he could have died/had more brain/spine/etc injury, and this is a really big burden – it’s is making him worry, get upset, and get “freaked out” as he said today. Try to keep visits upbeat, positive, fun – simply letting him know you are there and thinking of him and are saving a nice dinner and a cold beer for him seems to be a good approach. We have yet to read him any of the comments, or show him any pictures because it’s all too soon, too real, too scary at this point. There will be plenty of time for longer conversations! The flowers are beautiful, the cards sent to the hospital are lovely – He is very aware that a million people are sending love his way, but to actually receive something in the room seems to really cheer him up.
I will post photos of their Friday night date later on my flickr account (the link is in the link section of this site).
Good night all.
s.