wednesday

Well, this blog kind of counts for the morning and last two evenings.  Life has been busy here.  The big decision of whether or not to leave the hospital was upon us.  We decided to see how the night went and make our decision in the morning,  The doctors are very supportive in you leaving when you are ready, I even had the option to remain at the hospital until my flight left for the States!  I slept absolutely horrible last night, completely nerves.  I was so anxious on whether or not I was ready to care for myself again, and felt the guilt of poor Mike who has done nothing but sit in the hospital wsiting for me to get better.  Don't get me wrong, he has not complained or said anything, but as the patient- you have lots of time to see who is not getting to do anything but sit in the uncomfortable chair and watch you answer the questions.  After a long night of no sleep, I got up and took my first shower all by myself!!! I of course needed help getting dressed but had the nursing assists. help me get the suitcases on the bed.  I was dressed with makeup, hair combed with gel, and everything packed by 6am.  I then decided I was tired and went to bed.  Mike arrvied around 8am and the doctors started coming in around around 9am.  We said we thought we'd like to try and leave, and they had all of our arrangements made by 10am. The coolest thing about the whole day may sound little but meant the world to me.  I have been craving peaches all week and they have limited my sugar, so no peaches.  When Mike and Mr. Hoch picked me up at the hospital, Mike had gone to the store and purchased me two beautiful peaches.  It just made my day- I love him so!   Mr. Hoch was at the hotel at 10 to get Mike and the hospital at 10:30 to  get me.  The hospital staff made us hotel reservations, wheelchair rentals, PT (massage therapy) appointments and all the arrangements for our medications to be filled at a pharmacy 1 block from our hotel.  There was NOTHING we had to do other than pack our staff.  I gave several doctors and nurses hugs along with a few tears as I truly feel they gave me back my life.  tHey were such a strong part of our "family" while we stayed there that it was hard to feel scared.  One nurse even brought us treats to bring home to our family- I mean eat on the plane?!  It was such a strange feeling walking out of the building for the last time as I remember last Tuesday being scared to open the door and get out, and today being scared to open the door and get in.  This was truly one of the best decisions we ever made.  Sometimes it's OK to give it a "shot in the dark".  I truly believe I had angels watching over me and several nurses who prayed with me us well. 
We now have a week to "heal" and spend time with each other.  The hotel is equipped with a hospital bed and I have my own wheelchair.  We are located right in the middle of the "Marketplace" so a shopping I must go.  The only downfall, I can not do stairs.  Even 1-3 are very difficult so I have to go by Mike's opinions if there is anything good in the store.  We are right next to an authentic German dress maker who has all the leiderhosen and dresses for Oktoberfest.  They are absolutley beautiful but expensive.  If I can get down there when Mike is not looking, Abby is going to get a princess dress.
I feel confident we will do well here.  Mike was trained to do my heperin shots so he is officially my home health nurse.  I plan on sending the state a bill when we arrtive home as he does shots, bed baths, help getting to the toilet and dressing.  Surprisingly I don't think he minds doing too much of it.  We went our for pizza this evening.  It was the best pizza I have ever had.  Granted, I have had nothing but pureed foods for the past week, oatmeal probably would have tasted outstanding.  Looking forward to tomorrow as an old friend of mine is meeting us and I think staying the night in the hotel.  Hope I get a good night's sleep so I can actually have a little stamina tomorrow!  Love you all and thanks so much for the comments.  It is so nice to see people are concerned.  We are trying to eat at restuarents where we can get enough leftovers for the enxt meal.  2 for 1 right?!  Anything to save money.  My medication bill came to over $600.  I kept the receipts in hopes  that we can fight with the insurance company a little- unlikely but worth a try.
Love you all,
Jodi