Uneventful night - quiet. Numbers a little higher this morning. I'm feeling extremely overwhelmed. It feels like we have been here for weeks. Reality is it's only been 84 hours.
We are trying to focus on the positives only, but it's hard to just sit, we can't even touch Jared, if we do his ICP number jumps too high. He is very sick! I need to be grateful that we haven't had any complications arise.
We haven't heard any news yet, very frustrated. They just took Jared down to get another CT scan. Won't know anything for awhile.
We settled into the Ronald McDonald home yesterday, how nice it is to have friends here already that can give us comfort.
- On the positive side Jared looks good from the swelling point of view, we can see his beautiful face and his long, long eyelashes again.
You need to consider getting away for part of each day and not just going "home" each night to sleep. Why don't you go to the temple every other day or so? The break will do you good and if you go to the temple you'll be calmed and spiritually rejuvenated. The hospital staff are taking good care of him and can call you cell phone if anything changes. If both of you are there and you feel that one of you needs to be there at all times, then one stay and one leave for a few hours--trade off. If you, Michelle, are there alone, remember that the nurses, etc are taking good care of Jared; but you need to be sure that you take good care of Michelle. Waiting room chairs and sofas are not usually very comfortable and your body will tighten up painfully from the constant sitting and stress. If you don't feel that you can leave for a long time, at least get up every hour or so and take a 10 to 15 min. walk. Go outside in the fresh air and maybe sunshine if there is any. Do stretches and whatever to keep your blood moving. Don't forget to stay hydrated--hospital atmospheres are drying, so you may find you'll need a little extra lotion and certainly extra H20. Although you can't touch him, you can talk to him; sing to him; read to him. Coma patients often are more aware of what is going on around them than is expected.
ReplyDeletewhen you feel down, remember all the people who love Jared and you and think of all the prayers in your behalf. One of my therapists used to tell me that "It doesn't matter how fast you go, but what direction you are headed". So when you get discouraged about the slowness of Jared's recovery, just stop and reflect about the direction he is heading--it is still going forward and that is good.
Love to you all--wish we were closer so we could come in with hugs or something to brighten your day.
Marcia
We have typed many comments but they will not post. Just experimenting right now. Maybe just another technical difficulty here in South Africa.
ReplyDeleteDear Garbetts,
ReplyDeleteWell, since I finally got it to work, here's the real one. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We called your names into the Johannesburg Temple prayer roll. Last Wednesday night we shared our concern with our Bloemfontein Seminary class. The students were very sorry to hear of a fellow member and teenager having such a hard trial. They included Jared in our prayer and said they would pray for him individually. They are wonderful teenagers with mature testimonies of the gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ. We'll take our laptop next week and let them see your pictures.
Waiting in a hospital is hard work. Please try to take care of yourselves. Ronald McDonald House we love you, take good care of our dear friends!!
We are so happy you have started this blog. It is a much better way for all of us to hear up-to-date news about Jared. We were concerned about how you could ever survive with all the technology intrusions.
We look forward to fasting with the ward on Sunday... for all of the Garbetts. We believe in miracles!