Tuesday, September 2, 2008, Anchorage, Alaska, 2:11 a.m.~
Dear Journal~
Mattaq Eegeesiak here. Still here at the hospital with Sikik, who continues to hang on; she's tougher than I realize. It's amazing to see just how strong her spirit is.
Sikik's kidneys have shut down; they have started her on dialysis, to see if it helps. They just started it yesterday; it's too soon to tell if it's done any good. She continues to life there, awake for only brief periods, before the drugs knock her out again. It's really frustrating, not knowing when she is going to die, or how. I am not ready to say goodbye just yet.
Doctors are cautiously optimistic. They say she may turn around suddenly, beat this latest crisis; or she could go anytime. It's a fifty-fifty shot; there are no guarantees.
I didn't do much for the holiday weekend except stay here at the hospital with Sikik, leaving for only brief periods, anything to stretch my stiff limbs, or clear my head.
I wonder what's going on back home in Barrow. Suddenly Barrow seems like a million miles away. I just wish one of the other siblings would come down to relieve me; I really could use a break! I have been calling them just about every day (sometimes several times) to give them the latest update regarding Sikik's health situation; they keep saying that they'll come, but so far, no sign of them.
If one of my brothers or sisters do not show up today, I am going to get really mad!
I just wonder what's going to happen to Sikik, and I wonder how on earth I am going to pay this hospital bill; I know it is going to be a whopper!
The very thought of it chills me to the bone!
The good news in all of this is that Sikik does respond to the doctor's questions or when they check her pain levels; there's no hint of brain damage. I just wish she'd turn around, get better; this latest health setback is not good for any of us! I'm past the point of exhaustion!
Well, Sikik is awake, and she's crying, so I must tend to her, to see if there's anything I can do to ease her pain/suffering. I will go now; until later, this is Mattaq signing off! I will write again in a few days, sooner if Sikik passes away; stay tuned!
~Mattaq. :(
