Day 37 - My Doctor

This is Dr. Kunkel (he is known around the ICU as the "unemployed comedian"!!!

He and his expert team is the reason that I am here today! (God had a plan too)
Dr. Kunkel is the best doctor that I have ever come across..compassionate, caring, gentle, great bedside manor, upbeat yet tell it like it is kind of guy. (not to mention he has 4 MD's) He immediately took me on as his patient without delay in ICU and got right down to business. I am sure there were others responsible for me too but he stood out! The staff care I had was superb and a real blessing for me. From the doctors to the RN's to the CNA's to the students from UWO. I thank them all from the bottom of my heart!

At the time...everything was happening, I was calm. Somehow I knew "someone" was holding my hand through this whole ordeal. I knew that the "0" white count and the 60/30 blood pressures and the sepsis and everything else that was taking place was not good...but I was not afraid. Reminds me of the song "be not afraid, I go before you always, come follow me....." I did know that I was very ill as I have NEVER felt like this before.

Our capable, informed, children stepped right in and took control of the house, financial things, the dogs etc., so we had no worries there. Lucky Joe knows everything in my computer!! I know now that they were all so scared. Julie & Mark & baby came home from Illinois and Joe from Milwaukee and Jenny took off work from Ripon Hospital. SOMEHOW, they were working everything out. In between my friend Kay checked on the dogs, and brought my mom to see me etc. Jeff's work just let him take off again after only being back to work for one week after being off for 2 months from his cancer surgery. My work just said take all the time you need. It is so heartwarming to know things were taken care of from EVERYONE. And all the cards, gifts, phone calls were always arriving just at the right time.

When I think back now, weird things like, when Matt from the lab took my blood gas, it was supposed to hurt, I never felt a thing!
Dr. Kunkel and the Nurse Practitioner couldn't find the artery for the arterial line...didn't hurt. (left a dandy bruise, but didn't hurt). then came the central line to be put in....Dr. Kunkel actually said I had freaky veins! Actually he couldn't find them, after a while he finally called for the ultrasound cart and lo and behold....the vein was there next to the artery..it was just that it was the same size! Good grief...why am I always weird?

Oxygen and a couple of units of blood sure did help the cause as well. I did have some really strange things happening...for instance I would be asleep and out of the blue, I would say....$1.86 wipes, or Jeff, look the doggies are peeking around the corner...etc. etc. What on earth was that all about? I also saw red numbered computer screens when my eyes were shut.....and they even worked! I do remember trembling a lot, not sure what that was all about but I didn't like it.

OKAY, then there was Tuesday in ICU and a gal came in and played the harp for me and Jeff and whoever else was there. Well, I wanted my kids to hear it so I called them and asked them to hurry.....(they heard the harps playing over the phone) and their nervous reaction was "does she think she is in Heaven?" - you know harps playing....I had never even thought of that! Why in the world would harps be playing in ICU? Well, it was VERY soothing and we enjoyed it totally as she played Celtic and Irish and Christian music. She couldn't sing in our room as everyone had to wear a mask. But I did hear her in the next room singing and it was beautiful......very angelic!

Jeff made a comment yesterday morning that my right hand was always moving, like carassing something....and I told him that I thought someone was holding my hand...???!!!! I guess there was!

Happiness is something I choose to wake up to everyday in advance. Whether or not I like something...I choose to decide the bright side. I know EVERY day is a gift and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on the new day, and be happy with how things are for the moment.

Blessed Day to You All...........Love, Janet