Eventually Clever

Weekend Roundup

All's well that ends well.

Friday began at 5 a.m., with Ben wide awake far earlier than normal. So, we got up and tended to him.

At 7, Dina was back in bed and I was feeding Ben when Dina's mother called. Dina's dad was in the hospital, awaiting emergency surgery. He had an aortal aneurysm that was about to burst. They caught it in time, but there was no time to lose.

We were at the Fleurimont Hospital in Sherbrooke by 10:30. Lou was in Intensive Care, waiting for surgery. I knew that Ben wouldn't be allowed in the unit, but I walked right in so he could cheer up his Poppy. Lou said his catchphrase, "Who's Poppy's man?" and then Ben gave a loud laugh, a smile, and flailed of his arms, and then the nurse kicked us out.

Then, I stayed in the waiting room with Ben, while Dina and Tilly spent time with Lou. The waiting was the longest.

Lou went into surgery at 1:00, and came out at 7:30. The surgeons replaced his aorta, which had ballooned to 10 cm in diameter, with a piece of Dacron. The procedure is pretty standard, but there are always risks, especially because Lou is 81 and was having his first surgery since a childhood tonsillectomy.

He was okay. Dina and Tilly were able to see him at 8:30 or so, and then we left the hospital, exhausted.

Ben was a perfect gem the entire time. He was happy and cuddly and spent a lot of time reassuring Dina and Tilly just by being there.

We returned to the hospital on Saturday. Lou had spent a good night, and was alert and aware. He was hooked up to far too many bags and monitors and tubes, but he looked appreciably better each time I popped in to see him.

This time, the nurses were on to my little baby-smuggling scheme (and I can't say that I blame them. It's for the protection of the little guy.) so we took turns visiting Lou.

When Lou is moved to the ward, Ben will be able to visit, which will do Lou a world of good.

We returned to the hospital on Sunday, and saw that Lou had improved even further. He had better colour, was wearing his glasses, and had fewer hospital accessories stuck to him.

At one point, Dina took a short video of Ben on her digital camera to show her dad, who appreciated the mini-visit.

Ben continued to impress the other residents of the waiting room – especially a two and a half year old girl named Osiane. She was shy, with blonde hair and glasses, and Ben found her utterly fascinating. He reached out for her whenever she was near, and looked for her when she ran out into the hall way.

She returned his interest, and laughed at how he chewed his soother, his fingers, and how he laughed. She also decided his name was Louis-Philippe, which made everyone laugh.

So, that was the weekend. Lou's doing better every day, which is the most important thing. He should be moved to the ward in a couple of days, and Dina plans daily visits.

The rough part is over. Now comes the recovery. Fortunately, the doctors say he should have a full recovery.

Posted by Stephen