Journal entry by Yvonne Perry —
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Yesterday, we enjoyed Gary being home the whole day. He's doing okay, getting stronger as each day passes. His voice is strangely very weak and the motor skills of his right hand were very weak yesterday. He thinks he should be able and allowed to do more, but I won't let him. He feels a little down and uses words like "feeling useless". I have to remind him that he's still sick. He still has sepsis and pneumonia. He still has atrial fibrillation that could cause a stroke. This is very hard on him psychologically. I am trying to find out today how long he will be off work, as it wasn't mentioned on his discharge papers.
It's been a whirlwind of a week. I can't believe that 7 days ago, almost to the minute, I was making the call to 911 to get an ambulance here for him. So many people have played a huge part in helping him to fight these multi-layer illnesses. To my kiddos, you have been my strength to keep fighting for your dad when every ounce of me was consumed with worry. To my sister from another mother, Miriam, who Gary lovingly calls Wifey 2, thank you for dropping everything and driving a thousand miles to be by my side. To the complete health care team at Seton Medical Center in Harker Heights, especially Ronny, Gary's ER RN, who first alerted the ER doctor (whose name I can't remember) of Gary's dire condition, stayed by his side for hour after hour, who finally, after about 5 hours maybe more, literally exhaled when Gary's HR eventually dropped to between 150 and 160, and who came up to Gary's room every single day to check on him. And of course to the ER doctor who brought Gary down from this precipice of death, with the incredible, dililigent, unwavering care that saved his life. To the ambulance and fire rescue crews that came out so fast to us, thank you for the immediate life-saving care you gave Gary. I had no idea how sick he was. To our siblings, thank you for being there always for us, even if only via the internet. To every single person who has reached out in love and prayer, thank you. I felt your prayers surrounding him (and me) and they gave us both the strength and hope we desperately needed. To my wonderful neighbors, thank you for the food, shopping trips, handling the garbage, sending your love and prayers, and your words of encouragement. Thank you to my amazing 2nd Grade team for ensuring my kiddos and sub had everything they needed. Thank you to my wonderful admin team at school for allowing me to be by Gary's side. Thank you to Jemma and Eliud for coming to get Bella and coping with her anxiety, and giving her lots of lovings. And finally, thank you to anyone else I may have forgotten.
We love each and every one of you so much. May you all be blessed as much as you have blessed us.
Yesterday, we enjoyed Gary being home the whole day. He's doing okay, getting stronger as each day passes. His voice is strangely very weak and the motor skills of his right hand were very weak yesterday. He thinks he should be able and allowed to do more, but I won't let him. He feels a little down and uses words like "feeling useless". I have to remind him that he's still sick. He still has sepsis and pneumonia. He still has atrial fibrillation that could cause a stroke. This is very hard on him psychologically. I am trying to find out today how long he will be off work, as it wasn't mentioned on his discharge papers.
It's been a whirlwind of a week. I can't believe that 7 days ago, almost to the minute, I was making the call to 911 to get an ambulance here for him. So many people have played a huge part in helping him to fight these multi-layer illnesses. To my kiddos, you have been my strength to keep fighting for your dad when every ounce of me was consumed with worry. To my sister from another mother, Miriam, who Gary lovingly calls Wifey 2, thank you for dropping everything and driving a thousand miles to be by my side. To the complete health care team at Seton Medical Center in Harker Heights, especially Ronny, Gary's ER RN, who first alerted the ER doctor (whose name I can't remember) of Gary's dire condition, stayed by his side for hour after hour, who finally, after about 5 hours maybe more, literally exhaled when Gary's HR eventually dropped to between 150 and 160, and who came up to Gary's room every single day to check on him. And of course to the ER doctor who brought Gary down from this precipice of death, with the incredible, dililigent, unwavering care that saved his life. To the ambulance and fire rescue crews that came out so fast to us, thank you for the immediate life-saving care you gave Gary. I had no idea how sick he was. To our siblings, thank you for being there always for us, even if only via the internet. To every single person who has reached out in love and prayer, thank you. I felt your prayers surrounding him (and me) and they gave us both the strength and hope we desperately needed. To my wonderful neighbors, thank you for the food, shopping trips, handling the garbage, sending your love and prayers, and your words of encouragement. Thank you to my amazing 2nd Grade team for ensuring my kiddos and sub had everything they needed. Thank you to my wonderful admin team at school for allowing me to be by Gary's side. Thank you to Jemma and Eliud for coming to get Bella and coping with her anxiety, and giving her lots of lovings. And finally, thank you to anyone else I may have forgotten.
We love each and every one of you so much. May you all be blessed as much as you have blessed us.
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