Heading in the right direction

The signs keep looking up, albeit very slowly. Last night while I was sleeping they were able to reduce my oxygen flow to 60% (down from 90-100%). The doctor switched up the steroid treatment a bit, which he thinks helped. Today I'm still on somewhat a reduced oxygen flow and have also graduated to a lower-flow oxygen tube. It is much more comfortable, less noisy, and allows me to breath in and out through my nose (instead of in through nose, out through mouth). I've been spending more time in bed in the prone (stomach-down) position because this really helps my oxygen levels recover and is a proven COVID therapy. I am still on blood thinners, but at this point they are primarily treating me for COVID (with an underlying cancer diagnosis). Moving from bed to chair still takes a lot of exertion, but it's getting a little bit better, i.e., my oxygen doesn't drop quite as low.

I had a fabulous nurse today (Julie) was who very attentive and encouraging. She also told me that I'm the best patient ever, so obviously she's my favorite thus far. Yesterday, by contrast, I waited 50 minutes for a nurse to come help me get out of bed in the morning. I even used my cell phone twice to call the ICU! The nurse managers were not pleased to hear this. Overall, the doctors and nurses have been great. Alex, a night nurse, is originally from Russia (I was warned by a nurse not to ask about his politics/opinion about Putin). Darrell was a COVID travel nurse in several states before settling here. It took 6 days, but I finally made a Penn State connection: the nurse manager studied at PSU for 3 years and her step-daughter is starting on the soccer team this fall. 

Yesterday's highlight was a visit from Leland and Lily--the first time I'd seen Lily since I was admitted to the hospital last Thursday night. Their visit helped lift my spirits. Lily came equipped with Sushi Go; we played 3 rounds but they didn't even let me win. We caught up on some episodes of Only Murders in the Building and Leland handed off a trove of trashy magazines from Anna. Thankfully, I'm getting caught up on Ben Affleck and JLo, although I'm now worried that Prince Harry is living a lie! 

My doctoral advisee, Alexis, came to visit for a while today and brought me a decaf Frappuccino, a luxury I don't usually allow myself (the hospital seems to be making all kinds of exceptions of about extra visitors, outside food and drinks, etc.). Alix planned to come later in the afternoon. I was resting in my bed, opened my eyes, checked my phone, and saw a message saying she was in the room but didn't want to wake me. I texted back that I had been resting not sleeping and to come on in. Then I turned my head and was shocked to see her sitting right there! I had indeed fallen asleep. Alix was my hair stylist today: she washed my hair with dry shampoo/mousse that the nurse provided. I feel like a new person. 

Clean hair!

I still don't know when I'll be released. Monday is the best-case scenario, but I'm trying not to get my hopes up. I still have a long way to go before I can wean off the oxygen.