Timing is important in many things. A few seconds can make a difference in sports, relationships, even telling a good joke. A few days have made a difference in our case.
Weekends are a peculiar time to transfer from one medical facility to another. Easter weekend is a particularly good example of this. I think that a lot of the frustrations of the past few days can be accounted for in the timing of her transfer.
Right now I'm sitting by Emily's bed. She's sleeping. She's already had a visit from the physical therapist this morning, and spent about an hour sitting up in a special chair. All of this has tired her out immensely, but it has been a welcome break to the monotony.
Today we feel much more confident that this is the place where she needs to be right now - a place that will help her get off of the ventilator and on toward rehabilitation. On the other side of Easter weekend this hospital has experienced its own sort of resurrection. There are more staff on her case, and more attention all the way around.
I've been sleeping with my phone right by my head. It sounds paranoid, I know, but I've spent the last three weeks worrying about every little thing. This morning my phone rang and the voice on the other end said, "Mr. McConnell, this is Reneé from Specialty Select Hospital" my heart sank in the time it took her to get to her next words "nothing is wrong, I'm just going to be Emily's caseworker and I wanted to contact you." I was relieved.
My relief wasn't just the instantaneous reassurance that Emily was fine, it was that now we had someone to help us navigate our time at this new hospital. An advocate to act on our behalf when things become overwhelming. I am very thankful for Reneé, and we are very excited about each new step Emily takes on the road to recovery - even if that's just sitting up in a chair.
