August 20, 2004

The ICU: A Clean, Well-Lighted Place

Dad's surgeon, Dr. Takayama, came in while Martin and I were visiting with dad this afternoon. He is very pleased with dad's vital signs and thinks that he will be moved out of ICU tomorrow morning. Dad is bleary but lucid and already able to make jokes. The ICU nurse said that they are all glad to see that his remaining kidney is working well and that he seems to be recovering rapidly. We read him yesterday's blog comments and he was able to recite Anne Lamott's three prayers along with us. Mom is doing well and is whipping us all on palm-pilot scrabble. She has requested mac and cheese take-out from her favorite Seattle restaurant Pair. We are all feeling very fortunate that this difficult surgery has had such an evidently successful result and we are feeling surrounded by all of your love and support. Thank you. (By the way, for those of you who are involved in prayer circles, we have been sharing the ICU waiting room with a young woman and her daughter whose husband/father had his second liver transplant yesterday while dad was having his surgery. We were feeling that eight hours seemed long for dad's, but these folks had a fifteen-hour watch. Their news has not been as clearly positive as dad's, so keep them in your thoughts and prayers.) Posted by Dani at August 20, 2004 05:53 PM

To my dear dear brother: How wonderful to be able to keep track of your progress -- I spent yesterday thinking of all the wonderful years we have had together -- I have spent today thanking God and thinking of all the wonderful years we will be having together. Love to everyone --

Love, Pat & Bill

Posted by: Pat Baldwin at August 20, 2004 06:12 PM

We are so glad to hear surgery went well.
The updates are much appreciated as we keep you ALL in our thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Joe and Sharry


Posted by: Sharry and Joe at August 20, 2004 06:28 PM

but I see no mention that the kissing of the surgeon was accomplished....ah well....tis the thought that counts I suppose....keep up the good healing work lots of love from Janet

Posted by: Janet at August 20, 2004 06:39 PM

9/20/04

Dear MacClellan family, Don and Marilyn especially,

Yesterday, and today until I found the blog, there was no way to tell you that our thoughts and prayers are with you. What I thought of the most was that there isn't a view of Bellingham Bay from the places you are in Seattle. Tonight we will sit on the porch, watch the sun go down and the light turn to dark. As you so well know, the beauty of it has no words. It is a reminder that the Creator has given us more gifts than can be imagined. To read your comments on the blog is your gift to us and we are most greatful. Ruth and Rod too

Posted by: Rod MacKenzie at August 20, 2004 06:42 PM

Thanks for the wonderful updates - I sure love this technology! I just got back from a four day climbing and hiking trip in the beautiful Cascades and it was delightful to find out how well you are doing, Donel. On Thursday I was on top of a peak (it's easier to feel closer to God up there) and sent healing energy into the OR. To continue the Anne Lamott theme, she also says that laughter is "carbonated holiness" so may you have much carbonated holiness with your family in the days ahead. I will continue to keep ALL of you in my thoughts and prayers.
Love,
Janet

Posted by: janet ott at August 20, 2004 08:11 PM

Don:
Ah yes, "Bright Wings."
I remember our literary efforts - at the very least they gave us an excuse to stay up late, always talking, sharing, thinking.
You are the ever stimulating friend.
How I treasure you and your bright wings!
Bob

Posted by: Bob Olmstead at August 20, 2004 10:30 PM

Dear Donel, et al,

I am so glad to be hearing this wonderful news! I must admit to some anxiety starting about a week ago, and have shed some tears of releif.

Martin,

Thank you so much for creating this great way for all of us back in Bellingham (and probably all over the world!) to be kept in touch. I really appreciated the hourly reports yesterday. I wondered if you had any way to count the number of hits this site had yesterday.

K

Posted by: Kay Porter at August 20, 2004 10:48 PM

Dear Ones,
I had a quiet drive home to Bellingham last night, I spent the time thanking God for the grace filled moments of the day, especially the end of the day news delivered personally from Dr. Takayama (what a wonderful, gentle man he is).

It should be no surprise that while Donel rested peacefully in ICU following surgery, Marilyn visited all of my dreams last night. Today, I am comforted, as I image you breathing sighs of relief nestled into a cumpfy chair (with your books and palm pilot) next to Donel. I look forward to hearing when it's Donel turn to join the scrabble games.

Martin and Charles, I hope you two took a few serious naps today (have Jeni ask for a warm blanket and pillow) or at least get a turn to sleep tonight. You are an amazing family, all of YOU!

Dani, Jeni, and Christine, when you are out for a walk tomorrow, check out the park next to the water just beyond the reflection pool(the one we could see from the tea shop). I still think the hospital needs a Labyrinth for people to walk... I want to figure out who I need to talk to about it.

Glad to hear that you continue to venture outside the cafeteria for meals...does Pair's have room service:> or is Ron taking orders?

Say Donel, how do you know John Kerry? Your family is constantly amazing me!

You may addict me to the internet yet...well at least this blog.

Healing Love is sent your way.
see you sooner.

Lovingly,
Bobbi


Posted by: Bobbi Virta at August 20, 2004 11:29 PM
Comments are now closed, thank you.