The Family Loud

First, thanks to everyone who has left phone messages, text messages and sent emails. We appreciate the prayers and support so much!

He's doing great. He feels sore and tired but he's healing well. Still no food or water until things wake up and are ready to work. That's frustrating him, but it just takes time. We walked today. Then walked some more. And more later. His willingness to walk is a combination of knowing it helps his body heal and feeling like he's going to go nuts if he has to sit in the room any longer.

We've been here long enough now that I am assigning names to other patients and their families. Most notable is the Loud Family. I've named them The Louds for the obvious reason. They are loud. And many.

They first landed on our family radar when the entire lot of them plunked down in our midst in the surgical waiting room during Kevin's surgery and began to talk over and around us. As our little clan retreated to another corner, the Louds didn't even pause for a breath to say "goodbye."

Everyone on the floor knew when the Louds and their patient landed on the surgical recovery wing late on Friday night. Although my prayer life has been rather dismal since Kevin's diagnosis, I found my voice for several impassioned pleas that God please, please, please not direct the Loud family's patient into Kevin's potentially shared room.

I may have God to thank for the blessing of not having them in here; I suspect it was the handiwork of the night floor nurse who took pity upon us. The good news is that I've continued to pray--for the person who IS sharing a room with the Loud family patient and, thus, with a multitude of Louds.

The night nurse isn't stupid. Family can't stay overnight in a shared room. She had already pegged that I could help with Kevin's care and the Loud's mostly argue among themselves about their patient's care.

There are 5 Louds sleeping tonight in the waiting area across from Kevin's room. They even sleep loudly.

George Bush travels with less of an entourage than these people do. Earlier today and through the evening there was a steady influx of Louds of every shape, size and age. Little boys bounced balls in the hallway, babies cried, there was a continuous Loud shuffle from waiting room to patient room.

Around supper time the swing shift of Louds showed up with food and there were Louds balancing paper plates and cups in every nook and cranny.

I am going to go now and close Kevin's door before the Loud snores wake him.