September 18, 2007
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Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Hillary is in good hands today…..literally….Sara’s hands.
(Hillay, Sara, and Justin)
Her wonderful friend and colleague Sara Rottering is pampering Hillary with a manicure today. I can only imagine the things Sarah is sharing with Hillary as they spend the afternoon together. Spend a few minutes in a salon and you have plenty of stories to share when you come out. That’s why I know there are many being shared right now at Spa #31, Trauma Center.
I have left Hillary in good hands: First with her sisters as well as Billy and Josh last evening, and now with girlfriends from home. I needed to see my Mom. She has been in the hospital for several weeks. Though I wish Mom could have been home by now, it felt pretty wonderful crawling up beside her in that hospital bed and crying on her shoulder while she ran her fingers through my hair. What is it about us when we see our Moms at the times when life feels like it is falling apart? Why is that when we cry? When we skin our knees as children, often the tears don’t flow until Mom acknowledges our pain. And when trauma enters our adult life we try to be strong until our mother opens her arms to us. I was not strong today with my Momma…or my Dad.
And because I haven’t been at Hillary’s side, my update will be a short one. Most importantly, Hillary’s white count is back down again. It appears taking the lines, chest tube, etc., out was the right thing to do. She has been sleeping very deeply and I had to be reminded she is off the ventilator entirely and her body is tired from all she has been through. Her vitals are great and she is slowly waking up and improving every single day. Consultation with family friends/physicians has made us feel much better about Hillary and her chance for full recovery. Paul and I celebrated last night together with the best steak you can find in Paducah, KY, besides off his own grill, of course.
Yesterday, our two angel nurses
(Barber/Stylist Greg and Rock Star Jason)
suggested a child life specialist consult would be appropriate and sent Katherine Bennet, M Ed, CCLS from Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in to see us. We are thrilled to once again have so many angels looking over our family, our daughter…and her son.. There is no question there is something very special going on in that unit and it starts in the hearts of the caregivers who are staffed there.
Thank you for every prayer for Hillary…and her sweet boy.
XOXO
–Shawn
