Life After Windbird, Day 29: Getting to Know Falmouth Hospital
Date: Saturday, September 10, 2016
Weather: Hazy, Foggy Morning, Partly Sunny Afternoon; High 83 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Studio #8, Falmouth, MA
We got another opportunity today to get to know the Falmouth Hospital just a little bit better. It was obvious last night that Mark’s energy level was rock bottom. He managed a big smile when Justin, Jo, Ziggy, and Coco arrived, and another moment of joy when Ollie showed him the book Aunt Patsy gave him called, “The Frog Who Lost His Underpants.” Ollie thought the title was hilarious and wanted to share that with Granddad. Special moments.
But this morning Mark could hardly get out of bed and I had to use the new wheelchair to get him to the bathroom and then to the kitchen table where he could only eat half of his “first” breakfast. He immediately went back to bed and didn’t get up until early afternoon when the visiting nurse came to check on him. I knew when he didn’t get up to say farewells to Patsy and Joe that things were serious. By the time the visiting nurse arrived, I was at the airport in Boston saying farewell to Patsy and Joe.
Heather stayed with her dad in my absence, so it was Heather that talked with the visiting nurse. At some point Justin came to be with Heather and the decision was made to have Mark go to the Emergency Room at Falmouth Hospital. The visiting nurse determined he was very dehydrated and she felt his electrolytes were out of balance. I had requested that he not be admitted to the hospital unless absolutely necessary, but the doctor on call at the oncology center felt it was really necessary to make Mark comfortable and warned that it would probably be a one or two night stay. . . and that is what the doctor in the ER determined upon examination. Arrangements were made for us to meet with a team at the hospital that sets up home care in these situations and that will happen in the morning. Heather and Justin stayed with Mark until I got home from Boston and then I took over. My greatest hope at this point is that Mark will rally a bit after this stint in the hospital and be able to enjoy the visit with Justin and family. In the meantime, Ziggy and Coco are enjoying their visit with the Goldpebbles. We’ll just have to take this hour by hour, day by day.
Patsy and Joe arrived back in Nashville safe and sound. Both Mark and I enjoyed their visit so very much. Patsy and Joe have always been two of Mark’s favorite people and it meant a lot to him to have them come. My favorite photo from the week is when we went down to the beach. Patsy sat down beside Mark. He put his arm around her and she leaned on his shoulder. Another very special moment.
