Friday, February 1 , 2019 2:30 pm

            He is more active since that previous post, which is going out with this one. He is actually asking for hugs.  He recognizes people but is still delirious and distressed.  if Mike makes it out of here, which seems likely but not a for sure yet, he can 'read all about it.'

            I slept in a Bnb last night with Shivani, my niece. She left early this morning to return to her partner and their two years old son in San Francisco.  I can't begin to tell you what a blessing it was to have Damon, Mike's son, and Shivani here with me.  The two of them made sure that I was okay.  They relieved me of a great burden. Shivani found the Bnb, and she spent one night with me there, unbelievable. Damon took care of the car.  A friend recommended Turo, which is sort of an Uber for car rentals.  Damon looked for Priuses, which is the car I drive at home.  Also, this search is somewhat cheaper and more flexible.  Since each dealer is its own private corporation, they're somewhat less bureaucratic.  

            Shivani gave careful thought about selecting the Bnb.  She looked at many pictures and thought to choose a woman closer to my age than someone in their 30s, thinking that person would be more responsive to me. We arrived, it wasn't quite what we thought it was.  It is a separate building, but the interior is somewhat jerry-rigged.  Shivani asked if it would be okay. I'm thinking: Holy Cow! For starters, it sure beats sleeping on the golf course.  Secondly, it's clean, neat and the bed is comfortable. Of course, we were coming from a 5-star hotel.  This is just fine.  And I slept like a baby.

            Shivani left before sunrise this morning to make her plane.  While I had slept well, I still felt 'hungover." Mind you, this is without the benefit of alcohol.  I got up, organized my possessions, and headed for the hospital.  I drove the speed limit and felt like I was the little old lady holding up the traffic.  Oh, yeah. Yvette, our goddaughter, has pointed out to me that I am a little old lady. 

            I am feeling drained.  I sent out texts telling people that Mike was steady but delirious.  And I didn't want to speak to anyone for the day.  The best thing would be a 24-hour silent retreat.  Not possible.

            I pulled into the hospital parking lot. When I got out of my car, I heard running water.  I went to the edge of the parking lot, and there was a small waterfall. It's kind of natural, in as much nature is making use of the man-made contours blasted out the side of the hill to build the parking lot.  I leaned against the wall of the lot, and just drank in the scene.  I can draw energy from nature and art.  I remained there for several minutes.  I noticed the tall grass moving at the side of this small waterfall.  Little brown birds were flying about and landing on the blades of grass, scarcely bending them.  I have no idea what kind of birds they were.  I would say it is a hummingbird.  Anyone ever seen a brown hummingbird?  I also caught sight of another bird I had never seen before.  This one is finch sized, black with white stripes on its wings. 

            I finally went upstairs, dropped off the computer bags, said hello to Mike, said some rosary, and went to the cafeteria to get some breakfast. As I started writing this, I felt a little less drained.  Feel better when I can write. I have no idea why this would be the case, but I'll take it.

            (Dr. Izawa, the specialist on his matter, just came in. He tells me his blood count is higher, but they don't expect infection since it didn't show up on the CT yesterday. The good doctor said that today is just more of the same, "He's in a holding pattern." He said he was reassured by the results of the CT scan.) 

           When I returned to Mike's room, I  finally got hold of my grandson to have him help me set up Mike's Powerbook. 

            Mike is sleeping now.  The nurse is coming by to suction him.  There seems to be something gurgling around in his throat. His eyes are wide open, and he is listening to the lecture.

             11:29am. I was just introduced to Daisy, who will be Mike's sitter to watch that he doesn't pull out any more tubes.   The care is really amazing.  I am so grateful.