Good news: He was very responsive to
some deacons and their wives when they visited
He is more aware
of his situation.
Bad news: His awareness of his
situation is making him unhappy, downright miserable.
Mike dozed for most of the day. He
is calling out more in his sleep. I think his line between sleep and
wakefulness is blurring, as is the line between remembered past and
present. The doctors warned this
confusion would happen. He has no exposure to natural light, and he is not
maintaining a regular daytime/nighttime routine. This will lead to confusion.
He called out at one point: “Just
knock me out!” This is what he was saying in the ER in Kona when the attack
first started when he was in excruciating pain. When I asked him if he was in
pain now, he said no. He is saying some
things that don’t make sense. It’s like
he’s talking in his sleep. When he is
fully conscious, he can participate appropriately in a conversation.
Most of the day was peaceful. I was exhausted from the shocks I had
received earlier, suggesting that his condition was worse. At one point, I went
out on this natural air lanai at the end of the floor. I lay down flat on the cement floor and tried
to relax. Later I came into Mike’s room
and put my head on his pillow, hanging my body over the edge of the bed. T felt like we were sleeping together. I could feel the energy exchange we usually
share. This was the best thing for me. I
felt refreshed and ready to carry on.
At one point, we heard singing
coming from the hallway. It was a group of parishioners from a local Baptist
church. Mike said he liked it, and we
asked them to come into the room. They
did. They sang two songs. Lord, they
were lousy singers, but it was glorious, and Mike thoroughly enjoyed it.
Two couples from the deacon
formation class came to visit before they left for their outer island homes:
Sandor and Meali'inani, and Av and Debra (sp?). They were great visits. Mike
perked up and paid attention. He actually bestowed a blessing on one of the
couples. Hey, how about me. You never
give me a blessing.
While the deacons and their wives
were here, the nurse started his blood transfusion. He seemed to be okay. In fact, he was
sleeping, so we all left. I headed off
to the ashram, and the others went to catch a plane.
I arrived at the ashram at about
6:15. I was expecting a small group of people who would fit comfortably into
the dining room, which accommodates something like 15 to 20 people. There was a crowd there. While only 12 people actually live in the
ashram, there are many more people who follow this religion. The food was delicious, and I had a long talk
with a young man who was a follower visiting from St. Louis for a few
days.
I may have mentioned that when I
stopped by on Friday to scope the place out and locate it, so I wasn’t
frantically trying to find my way at the 11thhour, I met some women in the
dining room. Besides offering me food, one of the women said she would make a
turmeric drink for me to help me with my stress. Not quite sure what turmeric does, but I’ve
heard it’s good for what ails you, and I was thrilled with the offer. Indeed, she had prepared the elixir. It was in
a bottle with my name written on it.
After dinner, Govinda, the ashram
manager, helped me bring my bags upstairs. My car was parked a distance from
the front door because all the spots were taken when I arrived. He suggested that I move it closer. I did it with dread. All my accidents
occurred when I’m driving under 5 mph.
It seemed like another perfect opportunity for disaster. And, of course, I had an accident. Making a right turn, I scraped the bottom
edge of the side of the car on some decorative rocks. Yikes! I don’t do well with right turns in
broad daylight. At night, I don’t have a
chance. Tomorrow I will have to send a
picture of the damage to my Turo host. Hopefully, I can get the process of
repair/insurance coverage started. He
can’t afford to have some of his cars out of commission. This car is beautifully kept. I have insurance coverage, but I feel bad
about it.
I called Mike again at about 8:30
pm. He was awake. He told me to get there as quick as I could
and make them stop doing things to him.
The nurse was in taking more blood, and they had tried to put the bi-pap
on him again. I explained why the nurse
was taking blood and that they weren’t going to put the bi-pap on because he
didn’t want it. The idea behind the bi-pap is that he doesn’t have to work as
hard on breathing and can sleep better.
The bi-pap must be considerably
more uncomfortable than the high-pressure nasal cannula he has been using. The bi-pap includes a mask that covers his
nose and mouth. But worse, it provides
cold, dry air. The nasal cannula has a
system of warming and moisturizing the air.
I must be reasonably comfortable.
Despite Mike’s pleas that I get there and make them stop, I told him I
had to get to bed and to sleep myself. I
try to remind myself that it is a good sign that he is bitching and moaning
about his circumstances, not a bad one.
While I was typing this up, the
Krishna’s were downstairs singing their hearts out. I was wondering how long it was going to go
on and if I would be able to sleep well with it in the background. It stopped around 8:30.
To bed, perhaps to dream. . . . . I hope my dreams are joyful and full
of promise. They will undoubtedly be full of love for Mike.
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