As thrilled as I was (and am) that Chip was able to go home it was also unnerving to suddenly be the nurse. It feels like when we first brought Madi home. You've had access to a nurse by the push of a button. At home you are on your own - no nurse call button. Eek!! Was I prepared for this? I talked to the medical staff a great deal to understand what risks there are, what sort of things to look for, what possible changes could there be, etc.
The one thing I knew without a doubt is that at home we'd be on a consistent schedule with pain meds to make sure we stay ahead of it. When we went to bed last night Chip felt we should wait till he woke up or was in discomfort and then take the meds. I've watched that process, it doesn't work. So we'd be setting an alarm to wake up for another dose. I did not want to be in a situation where I had to be working hard to get pain under control again. If I have to wake up at 3 or 4am, then that's what would be do. It worked very well. He was so happy to be in our bed, he seems to have slept and while he has pain, it isn't consuming him like it was. We are doing it - it's going to be okay.
Unfortunately while our system worked so well, my alarm did not and we over slept. Chip woke up 20 mins before the bus would come for Madi. WAKE UP!!!!! Move it move it move it! Phew. Got her off to school. Next up - to tend to Chip.
He had a good breakfast, we had meds on a good schedule, got him ice for his face, he had a nice long shower. Things were going well thus far.
Between his accident happening on Saturday morning and Easter on Sunday, much of the regular routine was off course. We were out of laundry detergent to attack the pile. We needed cat food and just...stuff. So I thought I'd get my patient out on a field trip. I wasn't ready to leave him alone yet. I told him he could cruise the electric shopping cart at Target. He said the one thing he wanted for lunch was fish & chips from the Courthouse. The guy hasn't had a meal he enjoyed in a week, we could do this!
The plan changed to lunch first and them I'd do Target after my relief nurse Madi got home. She's a great care taker, he was in great hands with her.
After the errands were run, it was time for softball practice. Chip insisted he wanted to go watch. I thought it would be a good chance for him to get rest in the quiet house but that didn't fly. He wanted to go. Okay, in the worst case we would be 2 miles down the road and he could be run home at any time.
We may have pushed it too far today. He's feeling more sore then he has been. So he had his "super duper make you sleep and drool" meds and went to lay down and rest.
I am so relieved to have him home, to have Madi home and back into our normal routine. He's certainly not in perfect shape but compared to where he could have been I am happy to have him in this condition!
I had talked with his nurse about the crash, the severity of his injuries and that she didn't recall seeing prior patients in dirt bike accidents who HAD full protective gear on. Most patients hadn't worn gear so it wasn't surprising they had injuries. She said it just shows how forceful the impact was. Here was yet another person who said his gear saved his life. Every penny spent on that stuff was worth it! He was alive - a little smushed but alive.
I'm enjoying some much needed down time. A glass of wine and the Lionel Richie country duets special is on. I may not be awake for long though! I am just so thankful to have my family together. They mean the world to me and the world is right again!! I thin we are over the hump - I sure hope so.
Here's to another peaceful night!
sigh....................
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