Pancakes…or a Milkshake?

Or perhaps a coffee with donuts?  These food items seem to be Randy’s major concern in the last couple of days. I cannot count the number of times he has asked for a chocolate milkshake.  Yesterday, and the evening before, all I heard about was his cell phone, he wanted his cell phone and computer.  Well….my concern was twofold:  one, he lacked the dexterity to use the phone, and two, I didn’t want him calling people during various drug induced states… as he called his children and dad in the early morning hours today.  At 4 a.m. my son Wes received a call….requesting pancakes.  At 530 a.m. my daughter received a call, requesting pancakes.  Randy’s dad called me before 8 a.m., Randy had called him and requested pancakes with bacon and coffee.  And no, none of us fulfilled his requests.  He is still on cortisone, which escalates blood sugar, and he is taking insulin for that.  They are watching his sugar intake carefully.  When he really gets disgusted, he tells me “there are too many “effing” rules around here.”

When I was on the way to the hospital I received a couple of calls requesting a chocolate milkshake.  I explained once again that I could not bring him a chocolate milkshake because it was not good for his sugar.  We hung up; he called back and wanted to know exactly what the big deal was about bringing him a milkshake.  I told him to talk to his nurse, Melissa, about his dietary orders, and then I called her.  She told him he could not have it, so he finally gave up.  He was given a bronchoscopy this morning, so he was sedated, and missed breakfast.  It has to be said, he is one hungry boy!  I’ve never gone over two weeks without food, and I’m sure I’d be hungry too.  The nurse on duty tonight said she would retire the phone from 11 p.m. until 6 a.m.  So we are safe (and so is everyone on his contact list!).

So, a little humor on the journey.  Believe me, we can all use the comic relief!  Since August 30, we have not had much to laugh about, much to fear, and even more, surprisingly, to be thankful for.  The bronchoscopy showed beautiful, clear lungs, and he looks great….aside from being so weak from laying in bed for weeks, his recovery is incredible.  He is also amazed and thankful for his friends and family who have been praying, visiting, and thinking about him.  Randy asked me today why he would deserve all the wonderful friends he has.  Well, as I always say, everyone loves Randy.  Seriously, how lucky could we be?  To be able to sit with him, talk with him, and have his friends calling and visiting…to have everyone who is reading this blog and sending us positive thoughts and prayers on Facebook….2 weeks ago we were all terrified that we were going to lose him, and we cannot be grateful enough that he is with us.  There is a long road ahead….and so much to learn…but with so many behind his healing, how can he go wrong?  I know we will get through the ups and downs of healing.

It is so nice to introduce him to the nurses who cared for him while he was on ECMO and the ventilator.  They were not only expert at their job, they were encouraging and sympathetic to me, and to my children.  I told Randy that these people sustained our hope, and kept him alive.  Today, Dr Kaza returned to the hospital from her vacation…she had spent the month prior to ECMO working with Randy, and looking at organs.  She has been particularly gentle and hopeful, and it was wonderful to see her smiling face as she peeked in on Randy today.  So pleased, she was smiling like she had won the lottery.  It is US who have won the lottery, and we are thankful to the Lung Transplant Team at UT Southwestern.