Day +47 The Battle & Simple Things

Sometimes we take the simple things for granted. Well, Charles had two of the simple things this morning: 1.) a popcicle and 2.) he got out of his room for the 1st time since the 24th of Nov. He went for a wheelchair "walk" around his floor and down the elevator to another floor to see the OHSU tram closer. The flavor of popcicle he requested was grape. He would have taken Bubble Gum if it had been available. Thanks Harold for the vicarious treat with your dad for Charles - bubble gum ice cream!

Charles has had a pretty good week with some challenges. His blisters and skin sores seem to have settled down and give him less pain. Part of that is that the nurses cover the raw sores with petroleum gauze which really helps. His intestines seem to be slowly healing. He is still not able to take solid by mouth; he is still NPO.
But, he is taking small amounts of applesauce with pills and small amounts of non acidic fluids. His main "meal" are still via IV and are called TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition).

He has been having some disorientation yet. They think that it is a combination of being in the hospital for quite a while and the meds he is taking. It might also be that because the meds make him drowsy he gets disoriented in time. He wants to leave, occasionally, too. We have to let him know that he has more healing to do first. They continue to review his progress and meds. They have lowered his steriod dosage to half of what is was when he first got GVH.
He enjoyed his escape from the floor and room. It is a beautiful clear day and Mt. Hood is radiant display. As we moved around we passed a small snack bar the was closed. I mentioned to Charles that his is where we sometimes get a drink. He wanted to look and see what kind of drinks there were. (Another simple thing.)

Another thing that is nice here at OHSU is that the halls are filled with art. Here is Charles in front of a painting titled "Self Potrait." The variety of art is quite amazing too. It looks like it gets changed every six months or so too. Nice touch, OHSU!
The Drs meet and plan frequently for the patients. The nurses and cnas are wonderful. Charles is in his 7th week and will begin his 8th week on Tuesday. To be released he has to reach a certain degree of health and self-care. In the next blog entry I'll list the release criterion.

Karlin, Charles' girlfriend, is wonderful!

We thank our family and friends for your faith, love and prayers.
Don