Plateau


  2. Plateau

  4. noun

  6. 1.  an area of relatively level high ground.
  8. 2.
    a state of little or no change following a period of activity or progress.


Mom and Dad enjoyed this view of a gorgeous plateau while on a trip to the Grand Canyon in recent years. They've really made the most of their travels, inciting envy in those of us left behind :)

A plateau is also where we find dad, clinically speaking. The good news is: since moving to the ICU two days ago, his condition and vitals have not worsened in a meaningful way. However, they've not improved in a meaningful way, either. Dad, as they say, has plateaued. 

I wish to preface this next statement by saying I have a profound admiration and appreciation for Dad's care team. I simply cannot fathom what it must be like to be a front line health care worker, especially in a Covid ICU. That said, the level and quality of communication we are getting about his progress, or lack there of, is concerning. I would have expected we could have figured out streamlined communication channels for families that are estranged from their loved ones, but here we are. My comments truly are not intended to be a condemnation of the care team or the hospital, I truly believe this is just the very unusual circumstance in which we find ourselves with this virus - it just surprises me that we've yet to figure out improved communication channels some 9-10 months down the road. I know we are not the only family aching for information and also not wishing to overburden the same people trying to save the lives of their loved ones. In short, it just stinks. 

So to answer what I think is a next obvious question, the very question I ask: What is next, how will we know when he has improved or when we might expect to him proceed off this plateau? Well, that's something I cannot do. Cathy is en route to Florida as I write this (New Year's Day Evening) and has hopes of being able to advance communication by being in person. God willing, perhaps they may even allow her access to Dad. We realize this is a very remote possibility, but one, nonetheless, that we are going to attempt.



Closing this post with one of the best most recent Dale/Sue photos I can recall - it comes from an adventure to the Pacific Northwest. 

Thank you for your continued prayers and caring. 💜



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Goodbye

Image
  I was in Middle School the first time I swiped this sweater from Dad's closet. I say first. It was likely the only the time I swiped it. I probably just willfully apprehended it. I found it cool: retro, a throwback to a different time. Even then, I tended to swim upstream. Anyway, the sweater came with me to college, entered a marriage and has made multiple moves, always safely finding a home in my closet and a source of comfort in trying moments.  I'm currently wrapped in this sweater in Virginia as the rest of my family is waiting to see Dad.  His right lung collapsed overnight.  There is an emergency procedure we could have opted for, but the likelihood of survival was just so slim and the treatments just weren't taking hold.  So it is time to say goodbye and send Dad home. Becky took this picture yesterday. It reminds her of the Trinity.  The Father The Son The Holy Ghost
Read more

Looking for Words

Dad remains in ICU as of this morning, 1/2/21 and the care team has set expectations that he is simply not progressing in his treatment and that the likely next steps include palliative care for his comfort.  Richard is working to help facilitate last rites. And we hope to be able to a FaceTime coordinated so we can see Dad today. On a brighter note, Cathy arrived in Florida, safely, last night and the nurse on Dad's charge insisted she come up to the floor and be able to stand outside his room and see him. They were able to talk on the phone and he knew she was there. When the nurse told him his Daughter Cathy was there to see him, Cathy saw him take a visible chest filled breath - one of relief and love.  At this hospital, once a patient is on palliative care, they are allowed a family member to spend time with them in their room. Cathy will be able to be with Dad. There are no words for my gratitude for this blessing. Mom remains well. Her vitals are strong and she is takin...
Read more

Level Set

12/31/2020 This update comes on New Year's Eve, 2020. I think we can all agree that we are ready bid 2020 adieu! We (Dale's Daughter's - Cathy, Becky and Carrie in Virginia) are creating this Blog to help bridge communications for all of the caring and concerned friends and church community about Dale's progress as he is currently hospitalized with Covid. Carrie is the primary author and is prone to a rather familiar tone. She also apologizes in advance for all grammatical and spelling errors. Something she will gladly have her father edit when he's healthy and well :) Mom and our Brother, Richard are in Indialantic and they, plus the amazing care team at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne are our primary information sources for Dad's updates. As we have information to share, or perhaps even if we do not, we will do our best to update at least daily with the latest in his care progress. We also wish to extend our extreme gratitude for the outpouring of ...
Read more