A Whole New Meaning

I'm sorry for not being better at updates this week. With being sick, working full-time, visiting mom 2 nights after work and trying to keep family/friends updated...I'm worn out! It's been an awesome week and so much has happened !!!

MONDAY:
They woke mom up from sedation and removed breathing tube. Dad didn't know until he got there. The doctors hadn't told him. He walked in to her being awake. She said 'I guess you've got to put up with me a little longer'. He called me at work and told me this and I cried for joy. She still has her sense of humor thru all of this.


TUESDAY:
I was determined to get in and see her. I called in through the entry telephone into ICU and asked permission. The nurse said come on in ! We have to wash our hands, put gloves on, special gowns and I have to wear a mask in order to not spread germs. Have to wash our hands when we exit too. First time I saw her since before she was wheeled in to surgery and we said our 'I love you's' and 'goodbye'. She had had a liquid breakfast, lunch and dinner followed by pain medicine which made her talk and act funny. Doctors removed her bandages from the incision sites and said everything is good. Got her up to sit in a chair. She's told she may go home this weekend. This is too unbelievable and scary for us.

WEDNESDAY:
I went to visit again. They had her up in the chair again. She's had stomach issues all day - they're sending samples to test for some gastro issue that can happen to surgical patients in the hospital.(I think this came back fine later). She ate solid foods (roast, carrots, mashed potatoes, angel food cake). The physical therapist worked with her on how to get out of bed without using her arms (due to the incision up her chest). Talk began on sending her to another local hospital to receive in-house therapy. She's not really interested and wants to go home.

TODAY (THURSDAY):
I wasn't planning on visiting - need to catch up on some things at home and not fair to Rob to have him pick up Ethan, feed him and ensure he's ready for bed before I get home like other nights. Mom was already having plenty of visitors today and said she'd be tired anyways. Dad called mid-day at work and told me she will be coming home this weekend. She declined the move to another hospital for therapy and insurance will be paying for therapists to come to the house to work with her on getting strength back to her legs, etc. Doctors still saying she's doing well and her remaining kidney looks good.

We're scared to see her come home as I don't think we think she's really ready or we're ready. But, she's tired of hospitals and doctors at this point and just wants to come home. Remember when she first went in, she had been to the doctor and ran errands in the morning, got a call to come to the emergency room. She never knew when she went to the ER she wouldn't be coming home until after surgery - that was over 2 weeks ago ! I think she'll be okay and dad says he's going to go by her wishes of not wanting to transfer to another hospital and bring her home and take care of her during recovery. We'll all have to ensure she's got someone with her 24/7 for awhile until she's stable on her own feet and can handle doing things on her own. I'm excited for her future, yet scared. I want her recovery to go well, therapy to give her the strength back she'll need for the upcoming road of chemotherapy.

In other news, a lot has happened this week with my father realizing just how good Rob is for Ethan and I. He's made many comments such as 'I don't know what you'd be doing right now without him' (referring to Ethan can't come in the ICU, and if I didn't have Rob to pick him up and watch him while I visited in the hospital, I probably wouldn't be able to come up and visit with mom). He also said 'You better hang onto that one'. Rob is good as gold to Ethan and I and I'm very blessed. I'm looking forward to getting better (I went back to the doctor today...7 days of antibiotics and still feel horrible, now I'm told I still have double ear infections and have touches of bronchitis, so I got another medication), Rob getting better (he has bronchitis as well) in time for Valentines Day next week. Rob and I are taking Ethan to spend a few hours with Rob's parents and brother while we enjoy a dinner out by ourselves at 'The Melting Pot'. We haven't had dinner or a night out by ourselves since we went to Massachussetts last October !

Well- it's 11 p.m. and I'm tired...heading to bed. Hope things are well for all of you !!!