Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Day 129 - Oct 7, 2008

Well...thank you all for standing behind me. I actually woke up just as mad as when I went to bed last night. I came to the hospital earlier than normal today and took care of business. I first went to our head nurse and talked with her about what the nurse said to Kevin yesterday. I am leaving it in her capable hands as there's really not much I can do myself.

I then went to a different captain (it turns out yesterday's captain was actually a sgt major - I am so dumb about this stuff) about the uniform issue. She told me that it was not a mandatory thing for all of the patients in our ward (but it is on the other wards). She said that nobody ever said it was mandatory so a Staff Sgt was kind enough to reprint a copy of the letter that was included with all of the uniforms. That letter said that all patients MUST wear their uniforms from 0730-1600 hours. She was just as upset as I was and said she would take care of it. I am also going to leave this one in her capable hands.

To be honest though, it just doesn't matter to me what some high ranking official wants. If I feel Kevin is healthy enough for it, by all means I will stand aside. After all - he is Airborne and he is proud of it!! But while he's not healthy enough - I will stand between him and any potential problem or harm. And this could cause harm.

So now I have to move on (because I really don't have time to dwell on this kind of stuff) and tell you some GREAT news!

Kevin took his "swallow study test" today and passed with flying colors!! If you aren't familiar with this - it means that he can eat all day, every day now! There is no need for our speech pathologist to be there. So he got his first lunch tray today and I missed it! Breezy got to feed him and he had meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Breezy said he was so excited! I guess he wolfed it all down, lol.

Dinner wasn't so good. I have to tell you - I have no idea what that stuff was, but Kevin was brave enough to try it. Y'all woulda laughed. He put it in his mouth and immediately stuck his tongue out for me to scrape the food off. We were all laughing so hard, lol.

OK, I need to cut this short tonight. Breezy is going home tomorrow to PA for a week or so and I want to go say goodbye tonight. I know I am behind again on answering questions, but I will try to tomorrow night.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope everything gets worked out with the nurse situation. I don't blame you for being furious, I was too, and was ready to write any letters or emails you needed! I'm glad the captain was sympathetic to you and is going to get to the bottom of it and I'll be praying about it.

That's great that Kevin can eat normal food now (if you can call hospital food normal!) And it's good to hear that he was joking around. Next thing you know, he'll be wanting to eat in a restaurant! :)

DeeZee said...

Just an idea, but maybe when Kevin is ready to be dressed, he could wear the PT gear. It's comfortable - a Tshirt and shorts (which might be difficult for him to get on now), but he might also be happy to be back in uniform at some point, and that could be a good compromise. I was looking at another blog of a soldier who was wounded here in Italy and he was just given an Award wearing what looks like his PT gear so it might be possible. Here's his blog http://stmichaelssoldier.blogspot.com/

Vicki Chrisman said...

GO MAMA!! I knew you'd check into it and get things handled! I feel better now! lol.. that really ticked me off when I read yesterdays post!
SOOOOO thrilled that Kevin did well on the swallowing test and can EAT!! I'm sure he is too!
Hope Breezy has a safe and really good trip back to PA for the week. Call if you need to talk. Always here for ya!

Holee said...

The uniform thing is still making me angry. A group, Sew Much Comfort, in Ohio has asked us sewing ladies all over the country, to help make adaptive clothing for the military hospitals. They have gotten awards for doing this. Not one of the video's show any of the men in uniform, even in Watler Reed Hospital. They send you patterns, fabric & velcro. I think the fabric is donated. Some is plaid, red, etc. Kevin may eventually need some of these items because it is just much easier to velcro the side of pants/shirts shut for someone with limited movement then to struggle to pull pants/shirts on. It helps the injured to be independant or gives the care giver help with dressing them.

No one would spend hours sewing these items if they thought they were sitting in boxes while the injured were wearing uniforms.Maybe someone at the hospital should be directed to goggle "Sew Much Comfort". They may have boxes of this clothing sitting somewhere.

Wow, great news! Now Kevin can go shopping for all those candy bars he wanted! After eating those terrible MRE's he should get the best!

If I get the last sewing done on this last quilt, maybe Breezy can bring them back with her.(or at least one of them)

Kris said...

Geez I go away for a few days and boy did I miss alot! I'm so glad that things are in capable hands; sounds like the nurse should consider a different career. It must have been hard not to slap her. But you're right don't dwell on that stuff, there is much to rejoice about!! What amazing progress, what an enormous step for Kev to be able to eat vittles! Well, most vittles :-) I'm still chuckling about him wanting to scrape the nasty bits off his tongue!

I also just saw the latest pics of Kev and WOW - to see him SMILE. WOW. It warmed my heart and made my eyes sweat I can tell you. Beautiful.

Hope the food is better today! Thoughts, prayers, support and load upon load of Angel Hugs are always coming your way, all day every day. Hope you all have a great day. HUGS!!

- Kris, a Soldiers' Angel from RI

Anonymous said...

you go girl. Way to get stuff done. Lori

Anonymous said...

I'm glad you had a better day and so excited that Kevin passed his swallowing test!!!! YEAH!!!!
I hope Breezy has a safe trip to PA!
Take good care,
Kathy in Iowa

Anonymous said...

Yeah Leslie, Thats why I love you and admire you girl you Stand Up for Kevin you ar3e 100% right. I haven't had internet for a couple of days so I had to catch up. Love ya girl. Pam