At the crossroads

After a meeting with the ICU doctors, with much deliberation , love and in view/consideration  of the lack of improvement in Chris’s  condition it is now time to remove the ventilator support and current treatment. Robyn was with me thankfully and a time was arranged to remove the ET tube. This gave us time to contact family members and important friends to allow them the opportunity if they wished to see Chris.

Today was Tuesday, lunch day, it had come around again. Chris and I had been invited over to John and Therese’s for a gathering of old friends we don’t  see very often and we were both looking forward to catching up with  them. I rang to tell them about Chris and excuse myself as I was too upset to join them. They of course wanted to be kept  up to date on Chris’s  condition.

We had left the hospital to come home for some lunch and to collect our thoughts. My good huggy friend Denise found out what was happening from Therese and was promptly on the doorstep to be with us. Sharon had gone back to work yesterday and arranged to have leave. She travelled the 80Ks to be here at Chris’s bedside. Ian and Paul were unable to leave work but came as soon as they finished.

Knowing that immediately following the removal of the tube and ventilator  support it was probable that Chris may not be able to breathe for long unassisted or he may continue to breathe on his own and  linger for days. Neither were prospects we liked.

I arrived  back at the hospital and we were given some time with Chris before the tube was removed.

Our good friend and retired priest Clem H was at the dinner we were supposed  to attend so I was comforted by the fact that he was more than happy to come to Chris to annoint him. (He has an uncanny knack of being in the right place at the right time).

Nothing happened post removal of the tube. Chris managed to breath on his own. He had his eyes open but it was difficult  to know what/if there was recognition there. I’d like to think so. He was resting peacefully, we knew that the staff would make sure that he was not in any pain or distress.

The boys arrived and soon after Sharon. Good mate David O’B  plus John and Therese were present.

We were able leave the hospital some time later knowing that Chris was comfortable, settled and at peace.