A room with a view, Marin General

Whew,

Well, here we are a Sunday approaches and we are at Marin general.

Marty was having some difficult days at Kentfield, just when we would get through one challenge, another would pop up. On Friday his doctor called Stanford and told them it was time for him to get to a place with a higher level of care. Stanford agreed and we were ready to transfer back to Stanford ICU. Then it turned out they didn't have a bed. It was a very good thing. Marty was transferred quickly to the ER at Marin General. I went with him of course. He said he'd be nervous if I was driving behind them.

He was in his ER room less than a minute when his trach had a blockage and he couldn't get air. His heart rate went over 170 and his blood pressure dropped. The ER team flocked to him as I chased his ER doctor to his office and ushered him back to Marty's side.(As gently as I could without screaming, but it was an urgent prodding and I wasn't taking no) The team ushered me out of Marty's room as they went to work. Marty had become non responsive. I was more frightened than I have been since this all began. I called Rev D, who picked up and said a powerful prayer acknowledging Marty's powerful life force and more.

They brought the chaplain over and tissues, and I prepared myself for whatever would come next...minutes dragged on and it was surreal.

The doc came out and told me they had gotten him stable and they rushed him up for a ct scan to see if he had a blood clot in his lungs, my mind was reeling. I went with them and as he came out from the CT scan I held his hand as they wheeled him to his room in the ICU.

Waiting outside as they readied him the chaplain stayed with me quietly as I continued to breathe per REV D's instructions. My mind was calming my spirit was rising. I realized we'd made it through and gradually the fear subsided. I went into his room and they were working quickly efficiently adding bags of fluids, electrolytes, vitamens, antibiotics and more. They believed it was pneumonia, and perhaps more infections, maybe c-dif and sepsis. He already looked better. The chaplain was still beside me quietly holding my hand and then Kathleen Cutter arrived and Marty Jr. soon after followed by Rich and Christine. The family surrounded us with love and support. we huddled together, grateful.

It is clear that there was little time to spare and the fact that there was no bed at Stanford and the resulting transfer to MG, meant that when the blockage happened he was not in and ambulance in Friday traffic through the bay area but safe in the ER.

Winston ( our Yorkie ) stayed over with the Cutters and got spoiled by the kids. Marty Jr., Chris and I camped out at Marin general sleeping on couches and chairs, not wanting to be anywhere but where Marty is.

Yesterday looking at Marty, his color and vitals were better. I said, "nice to have you back" and he said " I didn't go anywhere". And I know he isn't planning to be anywhere but right here with all of us, healing until we go home.

The diagnosis is pneumonia, he's getting what he needs.

I am confident we continue to stay in "all needs met" consciousness.

Thank you for your continued support.

Much love,

Ginny