In Recovery

Ken is eating, sleeping, and feeling better, although his oxygen level has not improved. We know this because we went to the doctor today, a day early, because his left arm is swollen, sore, and red due to a problem with the original site for his IV. He is on such strong antibiotics already that the only recommendations were to apply heat and keep his arm elevated. He is resting 24/7 so the thought is that his oxygen level will eventually improve. He's due back at the doctor's office in a week.

That means he will miss three weeks of work...and maybe more.

This is the first time in over 25 years that Ken has missed work due to illness. I think he was due.

I also think it is a cruel twist of fate that Ken's pneumonia corresponded with our son's last days on the east coast.

The night that Ken came home so sick was the night that P found out he'd gotten a job in California.

We were all here for the July 4 week-end, but Ken spent the time in bed or dozing in a chair.

This past week-end our sons came home from Boston and our daughter had the days off; we made the best of our family time in Ken's hospital room eating our favorite take-out food and watching Red Sox games.

Then P drove up after work Tuesday evening to see how his dad was doing. P brought Italian cookies for me and pastries for his dad. We were glad Ken was home, able to enjoy a pizza and watch the All-Star game. It was a typical family evening for us, except that it is the last time we will see P for a while. He says he will be home for Christmas.

Ken and I are exhausted and out of things to say. It has been an emotional couple of weeks.

Recovery could take quite some time.