Christmas Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2013

It has been a long time since our last blog. For those of you still following Pat's adventure, here is the latest update.

We last came home from the hospital on 12/14. Pat was weak, and had some annoying 'side effects' of hospitalization, but has been working to get better. The week of the 16 - 22 was good, as Pat was home and working on getting stronger. And thanks to kind friends from Park Church and those we know from around town, life was a little easier and a little less hectic! So many, many thanks for your visits and meal drop-offs and the cards and well-wishes that keep coming.

We met a milestone on December 17. Before Pat went into surgery on September 25, she gave me her wedding ring to keep safe. I wore it on a ribbon until I could finally put it back on her finger on Tuesday 12/17.

Pat had a visit to the Radiology department on Christmas Eve. They did some stuff, and replaced two drains with one single one that seems to be working pretty well this time. Also, to Pat's great relief, she did not have to be admitted to the hospital after having a procedure done (as has happened in the past). We came home, by way of a few French fries, by 11 AM. A nap and a snack and Pat was up and ready to go.

On Christmas Eve the Trowbridge family did what it has done for the past 15 years: we put luminaries along Cambridge Street. It has become a tradition for us, but we did not know how much of a tradition it was for others along our block. Pat stayed inside with the littlest grandgirl (Evvie) while Brian and David and the two older girls (Sylvia and Veda) went down the street with me, putting luminaries on each driveway. At the end of the street a family was waiting for us, saying that they looked forward to our visits each year. Sylvia and Veda burst into a rendition of 'Rudolph the Red-Nose Reindeer' which brought smiles all around. Sometimes we don't realize how much the things we do bring joy to others.

Included in this blog are, finally, some pictures. Pat is home, and here is a picture of her and her mother, who has spent so much time with us and has been soooo helpful over the past months (along with Pat's sister-in-law Suanne), and there are pictures of grandgirls Sylvia, in a hat, and Veda, and Evvie with Valerie. There is also a picture of the luminaries at night. What can't be shown in pictures is the love and graciousness that so many people have shown to us over the past months.

We'll get Patty back into action as soon as we can. I promise.

Happy Holidays,
Greg

Saturday December 14 2013

To Pat's blog followers -

It has been a long time since the last post, so here is the update. Pat came home from the continuing care facility on December 5 (yea!) and was doing well at home, though quite a bit weak. She really liked being home, to be sure! Her mom was here, and we had real food made the way she liked it.

On Monday 12/9 we went to the hospital to have some relatively routine things done to her drains. However, Pat was quite weak that day and not feeling well and they sent her over to the ED (Emergency Department) and they checked her hemoglobin and it was quite low. This led to a few more days in the hospital and, after a few procedures and people doing things to my Sweetie, she is feeling much better. As of today, she is still in the hospital but feeling good and ready to come home again, this time for a while, I hope. She should be home today or Sunday (12/15) and her mom and I are finally getting around to putting up some holiday lights and things to surprise Pat when she comes home.

And speaking of things we can finally do: back in September Pat gave me her wedding ring to keep while she was in surgery. I kept it on a ribbon around my neck until, finally, I could put it back on her finger this week. It was cool.

That's the brief update from us, and we are wishing everyone Happy Holidays!

Greg

December 4, 8 AM

To all Pat's blog followers-

Good news! Pat is doing great. Lots of things are happening. She has been granted independence in the facility (she can go around without having PT or a nurse or her husband assisting her). She is still using the walker, but is going farther and farther without taking breaks.

Speaking of farther - I was able to take Pat to her doctor appointment yesterday (Tuesday, 12/3). This was the first time since 9/23 that Pat has ridden in a car instead of in an ambucab. She got a little tired but did well, and the news from the doctor is encouraging. Pat's drains were rearranged on Monday, and seem to be working better, and so her skin is getting better. So, after the doctor's visit, Pat said, "let's go to Culver's," and so we went through the drive-thru at Culver's and Pat ordered crispy French fries and a well-done burger. You should have seen the smile on her face as she ate the fries. I think this was the true milestone.

She also worked with occupational therapy and can get in and out of bed, so we probably won't need to get a hospital bed at home. Pat is so looking forward to being in her own house and, though she is really a 'people person,' and likes to socialize, she has really had enough of nurses and staff and beeping things and pills in the middle of the night, and wants to be home with some silence and Blue Bloods on our home TV.

So stay tuned for the arrival home!

Greg