March 10, 2010 - Room to Breathe

i am elated about the status of kristen's leg after today's surgery: no new decay; no debridement necessary. she is still fighting the infection and her temperature got up to 103 before and after surgery, so that's decidedly sub-optimal. a "bolus" iv was ordered, to "bulk up the blood", and seemed to quiet her heart rate and fever a bit. we are still waiting for results from tongue, nose and blood cultures that could take a long while to come back (up to a week or more.) my deeply deficient understanding (based on a brief conversation with a shift nurse) is that they grow the bacteria then test its response to specific antibiotics to figure out if the treatment regiment is appropriate.

kristen was calm and more well than i have seen her in what feels like a very long time. she hit her drug button fewer times and spoke at greater length. she listened to calming music provided by a dear friend (thanks, Erin). she wanted to hug me and did. i read her all your thoughts, prayers and poems (thanks for that one, becca.) i read her your wishes, your stories and your news of babies born (huzzah!) and babies on the way (yay!) i did my best to help her feel your presence. you made her day and she made mine.

for a moment tonight the past faded into oblivion. we promised each other a trip soon - to a place that is white, or white and green. maybe the greek isles or the pacific coast of mexico. someplace with room to breathe.