The ICU in Marquette

John was in the ICU for six weeks when we first arrived. I lived in the waiting room, sleeping at the Beacon House. We could see him for fifteen min when we went in his room. They told us to talk to him. I found this most difficult,because He was the talker and I was the listener. At one time there was another man next to John in a coma and his wife was very good at talking to her husband.
The waiting room was a large rectangle. The end near the door was very cold, Jacket cold. The other end was very warm, shorts and t-shirt warm. You needed to dress in layers as you never knew where you would have to sit. I took a short time going out shopping buying clothes that I could wear in layers. I also carried a small blanket. It was nice that we trusted the others in the waiting room and did not have to carry everything around with us. Our other things we had were magazines and puzzle books. I had also my cross-stich. There was a cupboard of old, very old magazines and puzzles with pieces missing.

I did a lot of puzzle making, I found it kept my mind busy with things other than John. I went out and bought new puzzles . I know that most people are there a short time and the magazines and puzzles were not important.

In my next blog I will talk about the amazing people who were in the waiting room with me sharing our troubles.