We all fall to the floor sometimes, it's how we pick ourselves up that counts

[quidditchgrrl]

Thanks again for all the kind words and well-wishes for my brother and family.  I am trying to catch up on sleep now...there has been precious little of it this week.



Wednesday was definitely the toughest day.  Craig was awake and being ornery as ornery as a person with oxygen deprivation + sedatives could be.  When I got there at lunchtime, he thought we were all on vacation in Florida.  Then he was working on a cruise ship.  There was much free association and inappropriateness.  My brother isn't a morbid and unhappy person, so he was quite upbeat and happy and talkative.  He brought many lulz throughout the day (aside from his poor boss, who was TWITCHING and totally freaked out and my two sisters and I were really taking the mickey out of Craig.  I'm sure he thought his employee would never be right again, and that it would be his family's fault).

I mean, it wasn't like he would remember all of us making fun of him, which is all we could do for him, you know?  Play along.  Better than freaking out about the future, eh?  Plus, it was effing funny.  :)

It wouldn't have been so bad if he didn't insist on trying to get out of bed - to get his wallet, to go to dinner, to "grab his smokes", etc.  He put the heart monitor on his nose, kept trying to pull out his lines and canula, twisting and turning.  The visit ended with me tackling him from behind and Mal holding him down from the front to keep him in bed.  It was like trying to hold onto a 270#, 6'2", 10-year-old.  "Frankenstein wants to rise again!"  Lulz.  Then the nurses came in and strapped him down.  Do not mess with the Dominican nurses - they will sedate and truss your arse like that.

I was very disturbed by his reaction when his wife said, "I'm gonna go and take care of the kids."  His face went totally blank (I know exactly the face you described, roguebitch), and boy, that was worrisome.

Yesterday, he was 3000% improved.  While he doesn't remember anything over the past week, he's coherent, cogent, and in the present time.  He slipped back into the free-association for the first 10 minutes or so I was there (and he'd forgotten I'd lost weight), but then he was okay again.  His boss stopped in again, and I thought he was gonna cry with relief at the improvement (my brother is the QA guy for Krazy Glue).  Craig was very upset to be reminded that he'd been off work for the whole week, in the hospital!

The kids were there, with no noticeable disconnect for him.  Whew.  He even sweet-talked one of the nurses into bringing him a Pepsi.  So, no major personality changes, talking a mile a minute, happy to see everyone.  Yay.

Hopefully, he'll follow up on his meds, sleep study, join a gym (or at least start taking walks after dinner), quit smoking, and start eating better.  That is such a long list, though.  It can be done, but boy, it's a lifestyle change that means breaking a lot of habits.  It's gotta happen, though, if he wants to see his youngest son through high school - now it's not if, it's when, that big one will strike again.



Now, I sleep.  Next week = a more normal schedule, fewer worries.  I hope!  :)

Ta, all.

Comments

[roguebitch.livejournal.com]

Oh, I am so glad things are progressing so quickly! That's a very good sign. I'm glad *my* experience with TBI is proving useful to you. *grins* Now go and take care of you. *hugs*

[jacyevans.livejournal.com]

I'm sooo glad to hear your brother is getting better! *hugs to you and your family*

[chickadilly.livejournal.com]

I'm glad to read he's getting better. *more hugs*

[bunnicula38.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry; I haven't been keeping with my LJ friends' journals. What is wrong with your brother? Seems like he (and your family) are going through terrible stress right now.

I hope that he continues to improve.

[quidditchgrrl.livejournal.com]

He had a massive heart attack two weeks ago, and he's recovering from being dead for about 5 minutes. :\

[bunnicula38.livejournal.com]

{{hugs}} I'm sorry to hear that. Glad that he is back with you all though. That's a tough break for all of you.

[azurerose.livejournal.com]

Oh, I hope things continue to improve for your brother. My MIL had a heart attack and suffered oxygen deprivation about 9 years ago, and really changed from the experience. But from your post, he seems very active and reactive, so I think those are DEFINITELY good signs!!! :)

[magentabear.livejournal.com]

I'm so pleased to hear the good news. That's truly wonderful.

[rachet.livejournal.com]

Oh thank goodness, D. I've been wondering how things were going. Sounds like he's going to be OK and yeah, that's a lot of lifestyle changes.

*big hugs* Good news indeed.

[twistedrecesses.livejournal.com]

Wow, that's excellent to hear. I hope he continues on his way back to 100% :)

[authenticjoy.livejournal.com]

*breathes*