Martin and I are home

The all day discharge from the hospital is over. It began at about 6 or 7am and then we are now in our own bedroom and settling in...the ride was kind of rough for Martin but he is beginning to relax more and is caring for himself for now. We heard of patients having strokes just when discharged and then having to have their I.V. lines reinserted at least and at worst, a longer stay up stairs in intensive care for a longer stay. We also heard of a woman, on day five after surgery, the day she was being discharged, her new "flap" of tissue died. She had to have immediate surgery. I do hope, in those two cases, they were thankful. I do know that the fellow who had the stroke, was agitated and wanted that I.V. line removed during the long wait for discharge...I am sure he had to wait all day just like us...seems he may have worked himself up with stress and his heart could not take it. Of course, I don't know for sure what it was but that is the reason the nurse removes the I.V. line, the life line for drugs and fluids, very last thing. At any rate, we all live with knowing that our life has an expiration date. The trick is to avoid the fear of it.

We have appointments on Wednesday with head and neck surgery, plastic surgery and the dental oncologist. We wait and heal here on the home front.

The children will return to us from my parents house tomorrow. They did come up for a visit at the hospital today. What a joy for Martin and I both since we miss their noise and craziness and unreasonableness and obvious need for their parents.

So much to be thankful for this time of year. As the Christmas celebration approaches, what are you thankful for today?