ChloeWatts.com

Christmas Eve 2009

December 24th, 2009 Posted in Daily News Post

What a day! Chloe didn’t sleep well at all last night. Sandy and she dozed off around 3:25 am. I arrived around 8:15 and they already had company. No wonder everyone is dead tired. I left to go sit with my tea until the doctors started their rounds.

Although the sleeping part didn’t go well it wasn’t due to anything special. She has been on the ventilator at night and hasn’t had as much cough assist needed. We will go with the sleep meds again tonight and see if she can make it through the night. My feeling is that she’ll be tired enough to sleep.

Today’s plan was to get to the gym. So, about 10 am the two PT ladies came to get Chloe. It was a good and bad experience. The bad was that there was not good briefing given about what Chloe could do or what she would need to bring down with her. They expected she could sit up, stand and get in the chair by herself. NOT. After giving them the briefing we were able to sit her up and get the wheelchair set up. That took about 30 minutes, however, now they know what to expect.

Dr. Dorsen showed up during a time when Dr. Cockrell’s co-doc was in the room. She turned to greet him, introduced her self and asked “are you with Pulmonary?” He smirked and said, “No, are you?” She answered and he just said, “I’m actually with Neurosurgery.” So I said, “yea, he’s the one who…” and he interrupted, “who gets all the blame.” I said, “actually the credit. Without you this day wouldn’t have been possible.” He’s my Santa.

We did a cough assist before getting under way to the gym. Then Linda and her co-worker helped Chloe into her wheelchair and Sandy and I helped the caravan of machines and Chloe for the walk to the gym. It’s located on the second floor; quiet a ways from the room, so it took a while. We took the scenic route back.

When she saw the gym with a couple other kids there she started easing up. There were mats and table things. We pulled the chair up to an elevated mat and transferred her over. That went easier than getting her into the chair. Once on the mat she started to get really comfortable. Linda got an exercise ball and sat with it on Chloe’s back and Chloe’s feet were on the floor. Then she played beanbag toss. She was challenged to reach for the beanbags first and then to try and get them in the holes that were about 2 feet away. She hit the board most of the time, hit the nurse once and hit me once. She lost points for the last throw…

When she was sufficiently worn down we got her back in the chair and made our way toward the room. She was smiling all the way back to the room. And when we rounded the corner, there, in the middle of the hallway, was Chloe’s best friend, JAKE, alias CHESTER the golden retriever with Patty Brandt. They had waited for Chloe to get back from the gym… probably for a while. Chloe almost climbed out of the chair to pet Jake. The meeting was mutual but brief, as we had to get her back in the bed. Patty and Jake waited patiently so that Jake could join her on the bed. They visited for about a half hour with Chloe petting Jake the entire time. Then it was time to wish Patty and Jake a Merry Christmas… by signing. She has that down well.

Rev. Merv and company showed up with ukulele and voices to sing to us. They did some great tunes. They didn’t know the words to Randolph the Bowlegged Cowboy though. Although they did try a little of Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer. They had as much fun as we did. Thanks guys.

The most wonderful social worker in the world, Sarah, of the Swamp Fox Team, was by twice to cheer Chloe up. If there were a video about Social Workers I’m sure Sarah would be the spokesperson for the entire Social Worker world….(There Sarah, am I off the Bad Kid list now???)

Dr. Kevin Norwood was also here Twice today. Chloe asked him for a puppy for Christmas but he refused to give her anything live. So a picture of his puppy may be on the way and that would suit her just fine.

Curiously enough, the only member of this fabulous threesome that didn’t show up today was… ah..er… let’s see… rather we didn’t see… Chris. Sick ‘em Sarah. Oh, how I just made Sarah’s day. We forgive you Chris. You looked busy. Merry Christmas “A” Team and You Too Captain Dr. Michael Dorsen.

TJ… Chloe loved the hat. You are a talented guy. You’re welcome to visit anytime but don’t expect us to be back there…. No offense…

As you can probably tell by my demeanor tonight I felt as though today was pretty good. Chloe is a happy camper tonight. She’s about to get her boots off for the night and she is getting her last meds for the night. After some Christmas TV Cheer we hope to have a long successful night of sleep.

So to all of our tremendous followers and supporters we wish you a Very Merry Christmas. There are many of you that I personally would love to be with tomorrow. And I know that feeling is room wide. We will have a Merry Christmas because we are together and Chloe is happy. Colin will join us tomorrow afternoon and that will complete Chloe’s picture. Our two little Christmas Trees are brightening up the room and we will be up at a reasonable hour tomorrow to see how blessed we have been.

Blessings and Christmas Cheer,
Ron