Thursday, February 26, 2009

Tough Love

Yesterday afternoon was one of the hardest days of my journey with Dave. As I have stated before he is sliding into a pretty deep depression, or "adjustment period" as some of the therapist's around here put it. So we had a meeting of minds around here between our social worker, head nurse, day shift nurse, and I. They asked me how I felt about tough love with Dave because all he wants to do is sleep and not talk to anyone or do anything. I told them I felt quite comfortable with it even though I knew it would be difficult and he might be hard on me, but in the end it would be worth it. So we decided that the head nurse would come in at 4pm to take him out for a stroll in the wheel chair outside at 4pm whether he liked it or not. Here is the story how that took place....

I walked up to Davids bed at 3:45 and woke him up and told him he needed to wake up for his wheelchair ride he responded with, "no, I don't feel good I am not going anywhere today, maybe tomorrow." I then told him, "sorry that isn't an option you need to wake up." He then responded with, "go away I don't feel good." I then responded with, "you need to get up it isn't an option it is doctors orders." We went back and forth like this for about 5 min and then finally I said, "Regardless you need to sit up so I can change your dressing it's that time anyway." He knew he couldn't argue with me on that, so he woke up and sat up and let me change his dressing, then he was wide awake after that.

At this point the day shift nurse comes in (who we love by the way) and she says to him, "Dave do you want to walk or sit in a chair before your wheelchair outing?" He responds with, "neither I am going to stay in the bed." We then both respond with, "that's not an option, you have to choose one." He then says to us, " I'd like to see you try and get me out of this bed." We then both tell him we know exactly how much he weighs and we would have no problem getting him out of bed on our own. At that point he relented to sitting in the chair beside the bed until the head nurse came to get him for his wheel chair ride. See, our whole point was to get him out of this ICU room so he could get fresh scenery and maybe some fresh air too lift his spirits.

At this point the head nurse comes in and after a good 15 min of getting him situation in the wheel chair we take him on a ride downstairs and outside, he admitted it was nice to feel the air on his face and to breath in some fresh air. Then we took him to the CCU unit which is where he was before the surgery. The nurses and doctors down there were so happy to see him, they all gushed over him and hugged him, and some even started to cry they were so happy to see him. It really did lift his spirits, I could tell by the look on his face. Once we got him upstairs he admitted to us that once we got him going, "it wasn't all that bad."

So when it comes down to it, I can be tough when I need to be, and I am sure I will need to be a lot more in the days to come. But over all the day ended in a victory yesterday, just baby steps every day. I am so thankful for the support team that we have here, everyone is willing to help us in any way they can and I am in total awe over that.

10 comments:

  1. I am SOOOOO glad he got to go outside. It is great that your there with him B... Please send him my love.

    ~Sarah

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Lord made you David's mom for good reason! You go mom! One of the stories David told us when we were there was about the "mean old nurse" taking him for a walk and him stepping outside and getting rain on his face. He said he hadn't been out for a month. You could see the rain hitting his face as he told the story of how refreshing it was. I'll look forward to hearing the story of how the "mean mom and mean nurse" forced him out for that breath of fresh air.
    I'm praying for the Lord's strength for all of you. We all love you guys.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just a brief note to say I am praying daily for your family. I pray the Lord restore David's strength and health and spirit. I'm sure God would not have given us the Psalms and King David's cries, complaints, and bewilderments if the Lord didn't want us to know we are free to have those same feelings and thoughts. Clearly real and understandable.

    Just because we know in our hearts and in our minds that God is truly in control doesn't mean our emotions are to be hidden and neglected. David, don't give up, we are praying for God's perfect timing and for your perfect match.

    I praise God for the faith He has obviously given your very special family.
    A sister In Christ
    ~Janelle Ingle- USA Properties

    ReplyDelete
  4. Praise God! I love you all, Brandon.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Keep your resolve, Bronwyn. Dave needs to be reminded of how good the little things in life can be, like the wind in your face and the smell of the air outside. May Heavenly Father give you strength. Love & Hugs to you and Dave!
    Grandma

    ReplyDelete
  6. I just want to say thank you, to you Mrs. Kennedy.
    So, thank you.

    Courtney.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Woosh - being a parent is hard work, but you gotta do what needs to be done. Praise comes later (much later!).s
    A walk outside was brilliant and just what he needed. Nothing like sunshine and fresh air to put hope back into his spirits! Keep up the good work, Bronwyn, and remind him you love him dearly!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hello,

    I'm a fellow Navy mom. I just finished reading all of you Blogs, regarding your son, David.

    (I had no idea. I happen to come across this on Navy for Moms last night.)

    I will keep David and your whole family in my prayers. I do hope the good Lord will find the perfect heart for David, soon.

    God bless.
    ~Kell

    ReplyDelete
  9. go david way to put up a fight :)... would have been a lil more fun to let your mom and the nurse try to get you up on their own though *winks.. just for kicks... but im soo glad you got up and got to get out and some new fresh air... and that you felt a lil better when you did... ty to mom and the nurses for supporting him and giving him a lil kick in the butt when he needs it...

    cassie

    ReplyDelete
  10. I remember when Paul was so ill and recovering from his surgeries, he had tubes and etc.. They wanted me to get him out and about, but oh what a battle. I took the same approach with him and once he got a taste of some fresh air and sunshine, we had to force him to stay in his bed because he would sneak off on his own down the halls carrying all his bags and equipment, so beware Bronwyn, you may have to put David on a bungie cord. We just send our love to all of you and remember just one day at a time.
    Love to all,
    Liz, Lianna and Paul

    ReplyDelete