Tuesday, February 19, 2013

checking pockets

I don't usually check pockets when I'm doing laundry.  That is the rule:  if you don't want it washed, don't leave it in your pocket.  For some reason, on Sunday night, I checked the pockets of a pair of Dan's pants.  Out fell that orange cream burst chapstick.  The significance of that was not lost on me, and I'll get to that in a bit.

Graeme had a rough week, therefore we had a rough week.  I didn't like the sound of his breathing, so Dan took him to the ER on Wednesday.  They said he has a cold and sent him home.  So, for two more nights we slept in one hour shifts since that was the longest Graeme was sleeping.  We had planned a weekend away, and then on Thursday Hanna had a fever.  And on Friday.  And we were exhausted and run-down but not wanting to leave our sick kids with others.  We were assured that we should do exactly that, so we did.

My dear Uncle Bill also had a heart attack last week, and emergency bypass surgery.  He is in the ICU, exactly where I was 4 months ago.  So, we took a couple of hours to stop by and see the family and offer our help with anything needed.  Dan knows his way around the ICU waiting room, so got the code to the family room and other hospitality amenities the hospital offers to families waiting for any news of their loved ones on the other side of the doors.  We even asked if our favorite ICU nurse was working.  In the cafeteria, we ran into one of our favorite OB nurses.  My uncle will have a long, slow road of recovery in front of him.  

And then on Sunday I found that chapstick again.  Graeme is feeling better.  He slept in 3 hour stretches last night and woke up chatty each time he woke up.  I can't hear his breathing as much, and his appetite is coming back.  He had a checkup this morning and is at 16 pounds 12 ounces.  We anxiously await warmer weather and hopefully an increase in his sleeping.  We'll see.