My day at my GirlMic/Leslie’s bedside begins at 4:30 pm. She is getting more platelets. We are blessed with visitors Lisa, Corliss, Silas and Dr Shermer came in around 11:30pm. Her nurse Nicole started her 7pm -7am shift. She always talks in such a kind way when she comes in and calls Leslie’s name and while doing every assessment and treatment. I spend a great deal of time reading the Psalms and praying because it is one of the hardest times to sit at the bedside and not see the progress that you have always hoped to see. I encourage myself.
Monthly Archives: October 2015
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (30)
Another 2 units of Blood today. Nurses Nancy and Charlotte start the day off in emergency mode as they discover that Leslie’s blood sugar is 30. The visitors include Pastor Brandon Blake, Patty Williams, Pat Davis, Robert and GalVal.. The Doctors include Drs. Town, Muir and Kraus. This was a day of roller coaster feelings as I was concerned about the facts that there seemed to be very little progress with getting her off the ventilator and the Doctors were back to just discussing their specialty and not Leslie’s whole wellness or prognosis. It was helpful to share Leslie’s life story today.
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (29)
I learn when I arrive at 5 pm that my cousins Jackie and Savannah from Atlanta had visited. Leslie’s nurse Blake had a very busy day because of the GI complications and the need for more Platelets. I wished Leslie could tell me how she was feeling and the staff assured me that she was not in pain with all the constant turning and bed changes. This is one of those days when I feel helpless and I read Psalm 19:14, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O LORD, my strength.”
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (28)
We started this new day at midnight listening to a song by Anthony Brown and Group Therapy The words ringing in my head “You thought I was worth saving.” I look at my Girl with this new #6 cuffed tracheostomy tube and I watch her ventilator and her vital signs on the many monitors with sounds of bells and alarms. I know that her Platelets are 19 and she has required more intensive care. Nurse Blake is working the 7am shift. I prepare to go home to rest after prayer and repeating Psalm 8:9 “O LORD, our LORD, How excellent is Your Name.” 
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (27)
08:35: The Plan of Action is discussed by Dr. Walker and Christy, who is her nurse for the 7am to 7pm shift.They tell me that she will get more platelets and then Doctor Walker will place the tracheostomy tube. Christy hung the Platelets at 10:45 and the tracheostomy tube was placed at 1:30 pm without difficulty. My GirlMic/Leslie is sleeping and now I am able to see her face and mouth. I thanked the Lord for this marvelous day and read Proverbs 16: 23 “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth and adds learning to his lips.” I continue to pray for her healing.strength.
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (26)
The good news of this day is that my GirlMic/Leslie tolerated over two hours of pressure support weaning. It seemed that the platelets were moving up as she she started with a count of 6 and after being treated, the platelet count went to 50. I think that I had become so focused on these monitor and lab numbers so I started to just talk to her nurse Stephanie about outside activities and family life. My journal entry was short and I did a vital sign check and wrote down her B/P 121/81 and HR 109, SP02 100, RR 23 and then I left the building.
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (25)
Phyllis, my Ruth Circle Missionary leader came and left a sweet message (we are praying for you, Love) in Leslie’s journal. Today’s events included an x-ray, five doctors, Doug visiting and nursing care by Stephanie and Marquis. Dr. Andrews came as weekend Intensive Care and Dr. Mullins came in for Dr. Muir who is the hematologist. Dr. Threlkeld, Kraus and Dr. Shermer were also making rounds. Dr. Shermer explained that the the notes indicated pancytemic due to cytoxin and that her platelets were down to 31. These words disturbed me because it is what I have been saying for twenty-five days.
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (24)
It is now 06:30 and I smile because her eyes are open and she formed the words “Good Morning.” Stephanie and Jennifer are her nurses and the doctors Threlkeld and Kraus visited. I was uplifted to talk to my MVBCW Sunday School Sister, Mary as we prayed our mothers’ prayer. This is another day of blessings. Pastor Watkins called and I informed him of her need for blood donations. Leslie tolerated seven hours of pressure support. As I prepare to leave for today, I thought about this being a good day for my GirlMic/Leslie and I am grateful to the LORD.
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (23)
Sometimes I just send my mind to a place where I am at love, joy and peace. I need to get this to the series.
The GI test is completed. The doctor said “A small tear aggravated by colon tube.” Skip ans Silas are here. Leslie has more eye opening but she is unable to tolerate the pressure support and weaning exercise. Doctor visits and he says, “we are waiting on lab levels to get better.” Her platelets are 11 and she is requiring more buttons of Platelets. Her Platelets did rise to 135. She is requiring constant care so I am glad that she has Nurses Nancy and Ashley caring for her. I am praying that she is not in pain.
Leslies IVs and Blood L
40 Silent Sermons: GirlMic/Leslie’s Last Days (22)
GirlMic is getting Blood and also Platelets. I see that GalVal has put a different head cover in place. This is a bond between two sisters who are both career “hair entrepreneurs.” I sit by the bedside and read the hymn, “All The Way My Savior Leads Me” by Fannie Crosby. John and Chrissie are her nurses today. Doctors and Threlkeld and Deaton are telling us that she has to be stronger and everything is on hold. It is now 14:40 and Skip and Bev are here at her side. This is our blessing that we have been waiting to come.
Better Butterflies ! Seven Sights and Sounds 