My Dad's Voice

Deanna was warned by Ken's Doctors early on, that his condition would get worse before it would get better. The knowledge of this was of little comfort when they were right. On Tuesday night (07/20/10), I was in transition from feeling numb about the news, to feeling downright emotional. I thought about my dad's voice, and realized that there was a possibility that I might never hear it again, and the tears started flowing.

My dad's voice has meant many things- whether he was waking us up in the morning with his silly song "Good Morning, Good Morning, you slept the whole night through!" to giving me advice about my life, telling a joke, arguing discussing politics, to scolding, understanding, and laughing. Most importantly though, is that his voice is comforting. I always know everything is going to be alright after I talk to my dad.

Yesterday, 07/27/10, exactly a week after my breakdown, I got to hear my dad's voice again. Words cannot adequately express how wonderful it was to tell him that I love him, and to hear him tell me that he loves me. I could tell that he was tired, but he was still himself, still my dad. I told him that we miss him so much and can't wait for him to come home, and his response was "Well, that's up to the Doctors to decide when I get to leave."

My Dad, AKA Ken, was moved from the ICU to a "High Dependency Ward" in the hospital. This is good because it means that they feel his condition is improving, but bad because the nurses don't check in on him as often. He's in a very small dormitory style room that is shared with 5 others, and the visiting hours are cut down. My mom (AKA Deanna) and my sister (AKA Cindy) can only visit for an hour and a half in the afternoon, and then again in the evening. No more morning visits. Also, the style of rehabilitation is very different in the UK than it is in the US. They leave a pitcher of water and a cup within what they feel is his reach, and he's expected to take care of it himself. But he only has one working hand right now, and he just can't reach it. He ends up staying thirsty until the nurse checks in on him again.

We are very lucky for the care and professionalism of the hospital staff, they've taken amazing care of Ken, but we so wish it was possible for him to come home and finish his care here.

Overall, Ken's condition continues to improve. The days are easier than the nights. I'm holding on to hope that he will defy the Doctor's original estimate of a 6 week hospital stay and come home soon.