The wife has been in the long-term care facility almost a week now, getting antibiotics around the clock to fight the bacterial blood infection. After coming out of the ICU before that it has been a stressful time. There isn’t much to do except watch crappy TV, read, or sleep.
Several of her friends have been by to visit, which is a Good Thing(tm). They’ve been able to break up the monotony and brighten her spirits a little. She had a few sessions of Physical and Occupational Therapy too, with the goal of helping her to be able to get around more by herself. The results of the therapy are positive so far.
I’m guessing the antibiotics are doing their job, as the nurse said we have a little “wiggle room” in her schedule now. They don’t have to be on such a strictly regimented schedule anymore.
We decided to take advantage of that and get the wife out of the facility for a bit. I got her outside into courtyard for a bit before one of her antibiotics sessions. She enjoyed that, getting to be in the sun, and take in some fresh air. I can’t smell it but I’m told her room (and by extension the wife) smell like antibiotics. I gather it isn’t a pleasant smell.
After her IV finished we had a few hours before the next one. We vamoosed out of there and went out to dinner. A local restaurant has a special on Prime Rib on Friday and Saturday that makes it (mostly) affordable. We went there and enjoyed a nice dinner of Prime Rib, potatoes, a side salad and a roll. I had a Dr. Pepper too, which was not good for me but I did savor it.
After dinner we came back to the house so she could get to play with the dogs for a bit. They were excited to see her. Sirocco licked the back of her knees as she walked into the house. They all gathered around to sniff her, I guess trying to make sure she really was who she presented herself to be. Maybe the antibiotic smell threw them off. Anyway, she passed the test and the dogs gathered around for pets.
Having finished with the dogs we sat down to watch an episode of Dexter: Resurrection. After having him killed him off at the end of the last series (Dexter: New Blood) it just goes to show if the character is popular enough they can always “come back from the dead” to continue their adventures.
When the episode was over it was time to get back to the facility, where another antibiotic IV awaited her. I stayed there visiting until the first drip was done and they started the second.
It was nice not having to spend the entire time in the facility. It is difficult for me to be there as well as most of the time is spent just sitting around waiting. Getting out, doing “normal” things, and seeing the dogs I think helped her more than anything else she’s done for the last few weeks.
I think Monday they are going to do more blood work to evaluate how the antibiotics are working, their effectiveness, and whether any changes need to be made. I’m hoping that it is good news, that the antibiotics are working better than expected and her time at the facility will be significantly shorter.
Here’s hoping.
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