….And then, in a blink the trachie was gone.
After a number of days on a trachie weaning regime, today Darryl was taken back to hospital to have the trachie removed. This process was going to happen at the rehab, but to expedite the matter and ensure safety we went through to Auckland Hospital to have this procedure done and the monitored for 24 hours.
I rode with Darryl in the ambulance, feeling every single pebble in the road as we went. If anyone has the inclination, I think there is millions to be made for the person who can invent a suspension system for an ambulance that actually works!! When we arrived at the hospital it was with a feeling of disconcerting unease that I entered the halls of the hospital. This heightened as we exited the lifts to the part of the neuro ward where I first entered the critical care ward 6 weeks ago.
Strangely enough, the tightening of the chest and twisting of the stomach that became part of my daily routine while Darryl was in hospital, subsided quickly as the realisation that Darryl had come so far since those horror days and as a result, fear had drifted away to a large extent. As if to test myself, as we wheeled Darryl past, I looked straight down the hallway to the entrance to critical care (something I couldn’t do for the four weeks Darryl was in hospital) and I was pleasantly surprised to feel nothing but relief. In fact even a little joy, as you would feel if you had achieved a goal. I savoured that little moment, and gave Darryl’s hand a little squeeze, which ironically was all he was able to do to me to communicate his fight for life was in tact while he was in that ward.
As we got to the HDU I found myself wanting to gather staff around to see just how far Darryl had come. It was an odd feeling, but quite nice at the same time. Almost like a high school old boy coming back to the school and visiting the staff room to share in life after graduation. Holly, his occupational therapist and Anna his lead physio along with a couple of nurses came to visit and were just thrilled with his progress, something they of course have also been responsible for. Another few moments to savour.
In any event the trachie removal was very underwhelming and once he had the whole in his throat blocked up with some small bandages, Darryl made his first tiny murmurs. Nothing discernable as actual words of course, but bloody good enough for me! He signalled with his thumb he was trying to talk and as the next hour or so passed his murmurs grew louder and more purposeful. Hopefully this is the beginnings of a talking recovery. I’m sure it will be.
Brook, who came to see him also and I shared a few laughs with Darryl and it wasn’t too long before he drifted off to sleep with a few leg stretches and then we were treated to him snoring! What a great sound. Just to hear his normal contented snore was so satisfying. He was resting like I haven’t seen him before when I left the hospital at 9.30 pm. Bloody great really!!
The other highlight for the day was when he got a surprise visit from friends from up home, Dave, Darcy and Ken. They were down with the Taipa Area School first XV and them and two of the players from the team came to give Darryl a first XV shirt. Darryl was asleep when they got there, but woke hearing their voices and once I raised him up in the bed he held his head up, opened his eyes and shook the hands of the visitors as best he could and gave a series of good thumbs up to their questions. He proudly took the shirt from Dave’s hand and even gave them a wave as they left the room. Another special moment and yet again a step forward in his eye opening capacity. Thanks guys, I know it meant a lot to Darryl to have your support.
So another good day and a really positive one in terms of the trachie removal which was smooth and no doubt has removed a lot of the pain and discomfort he has been feeling.
Darryl, you have come so far from those early days that were filled with fear and uncertainty. Each step forward you take gives me further belief in you and the depth of character you possess. The test of you is one you pass on a daily basis, without faltering, without hesitating, without question. And now without a trachie!
Nice one mate.
Dad.
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