- That first day in the waiting room seemed to go on forever so we kept taking little walks around the lobby area. I stopped into the gift shop to keep myself distracted and started looking at the little votives with people's names on them. Each one had a person's name and what it meant. So I looked for my sister's name and it said: CATHERINE "Your fearless attitude gives you strength" and I couldn't help but think...it should say "Your fearless attititude gives Everyone strength"!! I know she's not comfortable with people saying she's a hero...but she certainly is mine and everyone in my family. - Kristin
The day after surgery, everything looked fairly good and the family was relieved that the worst seemed to be over. However, after visiting hours on Thursday, things seemed to hit a few bumps with both Cathy and Jim over the course of the evening. The family felt a little more careful staff attention / family supervision would have prevented some of the issues that popped up and decided that a family member should be present at all times.
I made a quick call to a friend who works in a different part of the hospital and he immediately concurred with our decision. [ which in itself was a bit unsettling..]
SO, starting Friday, Kristin, Dad and myself took turns making sure someone was with Jim and Cathy at almost all times. Joe brought Elizabeth and Thomas in for visits during the evenings.
- I read in a post on Living Donors Online about having someone with you 24/7. What it didn't explain is how much it means emotionally to wake up in the middle of the night through the pain killer fog and see your sister sleeping in chair with her head on the foot of your bed. Or your brother's face illuminated by his Mac type, type, typing away. Or to feel your Dad's hand on your head because he has to make sure there's no fever and tell you that you that you are doing a good job. I needed to know that Jim was ok during that time and they could tell me so I could go back to sleep. Having Dad, Mot and Kristin at the hospital also meant that Joe could be home with the kids, so I didn't have to worry that they were ok. This was a team effort. I got stitches, Jim got a kidney, but I can't imagine doing it with out the rest of my family backing us up at every turn. - Cathy
- I think the nursing staff there might have thought us a little odd being there around the clock. I know I freaked one of the nurses right out. He didn't know I was in Cathy's room and when he came in to check on her roommate I tiptoed out the door behind him to make less commotion in the room. He thought I was Cathy walking in the dark behind him!! After he started breathing again I told him I was just making sure he was alert at 2 am....I'm not sure he appreciated it much!! I have to say it was fun playing Cathy's stunt double there in the hospital. It's not just a little fun to mess with people's heads. - Kristin
We put Chilipepper on the top of the parking ramp right across from Cathy's window and used it as a late night nap room. :O) Quite the view!
- Cathy has it right..we are a team and one I'm so grateful to be on. The night of surgery Dad and I were walking out of the hospital around 10:30 or so. We were still worried about Jimmy down in recovery and Cathy just getting settled in her room. It had been such a long day and I know we weren't sure if we should leave or not. We came into the lobby of this enormous place and an announcement came on the loud speaker....."Murray family....please come to the lobby...Murray family..." It just so happens that Murray is my mother's maiden name. Now.....you could say that was coincidental and meaningless. Of all the names to be paged, of all the times they could have been paged at that moment.... I choose to believe that it was my Mom telling us she had the night covered and she'd watch over Cathy and Jim for us. Anyone who knew my Mom KNOWS she wasn't going to be left out of it!! Like I said, I'm so grateful to be on this team! -Kristin
Staff attention improved towards the end of the weekend and Cathy was discharged Sunday afternoon. By Monday, it looked like Jim was getting satisfactory care and we stopped the round the clock watch. Jim's condition improved steadily during the week as Dad and I took turns coming in to visit him during the beginning of the week. Jim's condition was definitely on an upswing by mid week as his sarcasm returned to nearly its full color. [ Our family's native tongue BTW...] Jim was discharged Friday afternoon and began recuperating at home with the help of Dad for the weekend. Jim and I are at his house this week talking about row house architecture and having blood sugar competitions. Lots of friends and relatives continue to send nice cards and well wishes. They are appreciated. - Tom
