So, that's how the day started! I was a little scared for what else might be in store. As planned, I went down to see Brad for a bit... and was quite upset with what I saw. It's not that his color was much worse or that he looked thinner or anything, but he just didn't look good. It's hard to describe. I think the best way to put it is that he just looks really, really sick -- which he is still. He called Mom last night to tell her that the doctors did more testing and it appears that his Liver is NOT a level 4! It appears that his liver is functioning, but that there was so much inflammation at the time of the biopsy surrounding the liver, that it gave those false results. There is still hope! There is ALWAYS hope! His nurse, Angela (who is probably one of the best nurses I've ever had the pleasure to met... hard on the patient, but not too hard... and ONLY for the patient's own good!) told me this morning that he was 'not doing as well as Wednesday'. And she was right, unfortunately. His bilirubin, has slightly increased to a 34.5 and he just feels miserable and super tired. He was sleeping so hard when Nicki and I got there and I gently felt his forehead and he didn't even move, so we sat in the corner quietly while he slept.
When he finally did stir a bit, I helped him with the bed sheets and held his hand and told him some things that I needed to get off my chest... with him being so confused and tired, he would respond, but I don't know if any of it sunk it. I basically told him how, even though he and I are such complete opposite of people, that I've really grown closer to him in the past few years. When our Grandma died, Brad and I both started to notice ladybugs around and to believe that this was a sign of Grandma. I know it sounds crazy, but the funny thing was, he and I didn't know the other had been doing this until we'd each confided in Mom our 'theories' about the ladybugs! She thought we were both crazy, but we both whole-heartedly believe this. I think it's really funny, but one way that I've felt closer to him in the past few years. Another thing is after his transplant in March, I was in the bathroom getting ready for the day and there was a sudden, loud knocking on the bathroom door (enough to rattle the mirror that was on it) and it was 3 distinct knocks. When I went to look, nobody was there... Jason was asleep (because he'd worked the night before) and Nicki was on her vacation in TX visiting everyone. I immediately thought of Brad and called Dollie to find out that he'd just taken a turn for the worse that night before and things were looking grim. We got in the car within half an hour an drove out to see him. That's another example of this 'connection' we have. And the funny thing is, we honestly, couldn't be more opposite as far as EVERYTHING else in the world!!!!! LOL
Which brings me back to today. I had to tell him how much I love him and he thanked me for 'taking the time' to come out and see him! LOL I thought that was cute. Like, I wouldn't come see my very sick brother, if given the opportunity! I kissed him on the cheek and told him that I'm praying for him and that I hope that he will get better soon! Nicki shook his hand and he said, 'I love you, Sweety.' It was a very tender moment, but he no more than said that and his eyelids were already closing shut. He was so very very tired. I'm incredibly concerned about him and for the first time in my week's visit, I can see that he is an immensely sick person and that he is by no means, out of the woods yet.
So, once we left Brad at the hospital, which sounds like it was a long visit because of my extensive writings/ramblings, I was able to get hold of Jason's Dad to find out the status of Lori. She was still in the ER Triage and he felt it best if we didn't come up there because THEY were already having a hard enough time getting to see her, so I told him to let her know that we are praying for her and hope she will be okay soon.
Then, Wanda (my biological Mom) called! LOL Talk about busy, busy, busy! She said that she and Elby (her son... my half-brother) were in Benbrook (a little suburb of Fort Worth, where I used to live before moving to New Mexico) and I had already planned on taking Nicki there for lunch anyways. So, we met her up at the Mc. Donald's on Hwy 377 and got some lunch, chatted and headed out to a very nice park (that I didn't even know about!) called Z. Boaz Park and met up with Elby. It was pretty hot and Nicki was chomping at the bit to get to the playground equipment part of the park, so we said our 'goodbye's' and headed for that. We only stayed a little bit, grabbed some Sonic drinks on our way back to Grandma's house (our temporary hotel) and that's where we are now! She's pooped, so she's watching Cinderella while I write this down before my exhausted mind forgets it all!
All-in-all, we have had a great trip. We got to do the most important thing, which was to see Brad and talk with him and just show him how much we love him and to hopefully encourage his recovery. Only God and time can tell what will happen next. I'm sorry we didn't get to see Grandma & Granddad, Lori and Heather, Keith & the kids, or Mike & Family or Dave & Family. I am, happy to report, though, that Nicki was able to spend time with her Great-Grandparents, which I think is so important and that she is SO LUCKY to have! I never had Great-Grandparents growing up, so I think that that is an EXTRA special treat for her to spend time with them -- and so did she! I hope that we will be able to come back, if even for a short visit, before the next summer, but I honestly don't know what the future has in store for us!
I guess I will finally end this very long post (Thank You to all who stuck through it 'til the end!) with a picture of Miss Nicole playing in the mud for her very first time. Boy, was she a mess. In fact, she didn't get a shower last night. The soap and shampoo was brought to her and she got a hose shower in the backyard! I think Grandma had fun with it too, to tell you the truth! LOL!
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