Chapter Twelve: When is Hump Day on Monday Not Wednesday? Epilogue

After discussion between the trauma doctor's and pediatric nurses, it was determined that our fears had become a reality. Phoebe's thirst and hunger urges were so suppressed that she is not taking in nearly enough nutrition. This has got to be counteracted in order for Phoebe to be discharged. The plan is now to reduce the IV drip dramatically. This should re-start Phoebe's thirst and hunger reflex. We're also being more direct with eating. The syringe we got yesterday is now in full use. She is missing enough teeth that we can place the tube attached to the end of the syringe into the hole and pump in the liquid nutrition. We're now also monitoring ounces and ml of intact. We're looking now at a Tuesday discharge - God willing. Phoebe made it through her physical therapy and was given a couple of assignments. She has to sit up in a chair and to work the broken leg at least once an hour. She is also stepping up and showing her ability to take charge of her situation. She is controlling the syringe and is adjusting blankets, leg position, etc. I am proud of her. I finally got to the hospital this afternoon after taking care of a few things on my way. A quick stop at the Avent Food Lion to touch base with the Carol's bosses the awesome store managers - they've been great in their support of Phoebe and our family. A stop at Combs to drop off a science fair project early. A stop at Centennial to drop off another science fair project and I'm on my way. Thanks to Combs and Centennial folks they've been awesome as well. We are so fortunate. Live in the now and be thankful, you will be rewarded. Our family can't thank our extended family nearly enough. You've all been awesome!
So I'm back here on the Pediatric Floor and I'm amazed to enter the room and see Phoebe sitting up in chair reading a book. Apparently she and Carol took the assignment seriously. By the time I got here she had read her e-mails, world current events, and had started a book that some generous person had gotten for her to read. She sat in the chair for the better part of three hours. We've really been pushing the liquid diet now that she has so little IV fluid. It's been a negotiated battle of wills. Her appetite really hasn't returned but we all know she has got to "eat". Two ounces, here, three ounces there, some type of energy shake. We count the ounces and write them on the whiteboard. She is definitely monitoring as well. As we try to push more rather than less she'll let us know. I believe that I was growled at twice. She was nicer to Kim. She only growled at her once! Carol gets her stuff together to go intercept the girls from school. On her way out she gives Phoebe a big hug and kiss. Without thinking she put her hands on Phoebe's face to kiss her forehead - OUCH! Phoebe let her know it. Carol not only got a growl, it was in the bass range. Phoebe is beginning to look and act so healthy that we're forgetting how hurt she still is. Poor thing - I stop far short of the Southern expression of "Bless her heart." The more generic "Bless your heart" takes on a range of nuanced meaning. Us Northerners mostly don't get the fact that there is a level of scornful pity in most of them even though as the expression is being uttered it is one of the sweetest things a person can hear.
Not too long after that we can see Phoebe winding down. It's been a long day and it is just 4:00 p.m! As she gets ready to transition back to the bed, Tim, Justin, and Erin show up. For those of you who haven't read past blog postings, they are the visitors from Chapter-six-action-packed-operating room. They are eager to visit and Phoebe is eager to have them in. They knew the ground rules - Phoebe will give you the high sign when she can't keep awake any longer. Everything else is fair game. I clear the room and let them talk their talk. I'm certain I wouldn't understand... I'm back in the room. Phoebe can't remember how long they visited but she is WHOOPED! Kim and I keep nudging her to stay awake long enough to drink. We're not successful for long. We'll save the chicken broth until later. At one point we both had to chuckle. We were counting ounces consumed and we both underestimated the amount to create compelling argument for Phoebe to drink more. She growled and lifted her hand and pointed at the whiteboard which had clearly shown that we were conspiring against her to undercut her real consumption. We chuckled as we made eye contact. She had caught us red-handed. We were like to kids with our hands in the cookie jar before dinner. "Bless our hearts." She's scheduled for the chicken broth and vitals at 8:00 ish so there may be an epilogue to the epilogue!