Phone Calls Welcomed

9:00 Sunday, April 7
On bed, dressed, shoes off

Bedside number: 415-446-3963  


Kathleen and I put on the gowns, masks and gloves.  The nurse says "Thank You" from down the hall.

Bernie is alert, but does not open his eyes.  We have a brief chat and the physical therapist arrives, also in a gown.  "Here I am, all dressed like I'm going to the prom!"  She jokes with Bernie as we excuse ourselves to have a coffee in the library while they work.

They exercise using the bike pedals as Bernie sits in his chair.  As they do that, housekeeping changes the linens.  After a bit we return.  I mention a new fire station in San Francisco.  It was featured in the Sunday Chronicle and I describe the architectural distinction.  "When you get out, let's go see it."  "That would be nice." Whenever we drove to lunch or dinner I was amazed with Bernie's knowledge and interest of buildings in San Francisco.  We had a "To do" list to tour of some of the newer public buildings.  This now joins the list.

Kathleen mentioned that some friends reported they were unable to get Bernie on the phone.  "I don't know how to answer this damned thing."  The hospital phone is placed on the bed and is answered by pressing a button the face of it.  After a couple of test phone calls he says, "Oh, OK, I think I've got it now.  I appreciate it when people call. I guess I couldn't answer it before.  It was not deliberate."

Today, whenever he speaks he does not open his eyes.  His eyes are clear.  The previous inflammation of his right eye is now completely healed.  His conversation is brisk and lively, but he kept his eyes closed. His breath always shallow.

We speak with the nurse on duty.  She has been Bernie's nurse for only two days, but asked where he was a priest. She said, "He looks so familiar."  We ask about our two ongoing concerns, the sore on the bottom (it was inspected this morning and continues to heal), and the catheter.  The nurse gave us the name of the case worker and we will follow up Monday to see about about a visit from the urologist.