#9 - Don't Like Being Responsible

Scary Being in Charge

I was excited for Don to come home from the hospital, today. But I was also a little nervous about taking care of him, without a buzzer connected to a nearby nurse!

Scott and I prepped the house a bit. I gathered pillows and Scott moved some chairs. We pondered where our patient would be comfortable. I grabbed the antique school bell. We have no buzzers in this house, but when I was a kid we sometimes rang the old school bell when we were sick. Silly, but oh well.

Scott is Responsible (and Negative!)

Scott left the hospital and headed home, while I got Don dressed and ready to be discharged.

Scott texted me from home, with the good news of a negative test. Four days before, he'd taken a rapid test after his flight arrived. Negative. Whew. He took another today, since an infection from travel, could take some days to show. Negative! I so appreciate having a responsible and vaccinated son, since Don's immune system is extra compromised, from open heart surgery. 

Yikes! I'm not sure what we would have done, if the second test had been positive. But after 6 days of talking to Don through masks, it was a relief to know all 3 of us would see each others' faces at home!

Homeward Bound

It was around 5, when I rushed to get the car and meet Don at the curb in the wheelchair. He held the heart pillow over his chest, to remind himself not to use his arms. I held the backdoor open, like a chauffeur and helped him get in cautiously. I wonder how many patients refuse to follow the backseat rule? I mean what are the chances of us having an accident? But those airbags would definitely ruin all that surgical work. I don't want to think about that. I'm happy to follow rules right now.

So,I will be the driver for 4 to 6 weeks? I don't mind, but Don might. Right away he asked quietly, why I was turning right. "I'm going to take Sweetwater..." I began, then laughed.  "So, you actually are a real backseat driver now!" I'm not sure he saw the humor, but he did realize it was his first time in that backseat.

Ribbon Clipping Ceremony

In this photo, Don is unshaven and his shirt is wrinkled, but he looks pretty darn good. We were home just a few minutes before Scott clipped off those plastic bracelets.

I was thrilled to see that Don needed no fancy chair with pillows. He was fine on the couch. He was able to get up and down without putting his wired ribs at risk. But he was exhausted and not hungry. Scott ran out and got him a milkshake for his aching throat. (Still hurting from tubes)

Now What?

A week ago, we worried over the scary surgery that loomed ahead. Then for days, we focused on the tasks in the hospital. I hardly allowed myself to think ahead to the 8 weeks of recovery. I'm worried now about being in charge of Don's care, even though he's doing so well. I'm worried mostly, about facing the first night. Will he be able to sleep in our bed? But for this very moment, I'm relieved he's home and feeling incredibly proud of this guy!