Monday, February 02, 2009

Home

I'm home from the hospital and feeling better than I could have imagined I would at this point. I'm sore. I'm moving slowly. I'm taking it easy. But, I'm at the computer, which I did not anticipate for some days to come. I won't be here long - just long enough to say I'm home.

If you've been following along at www.patsyterrell.com you already know, but the mass was benign. Greg has been blogging daily for me through the whole process, and it has been a process that just started with tumor removal. But, I think it will be better in the long run, so that's good.

We went straight to WalMart to get my prescriptions filled this afternoon, then home, where Jocelyn was working in my front flower bed. Sharon arrived shortly afterwards and it was great to visit with both of them.

I warmed up a bowl of potato soup that Carl and Kris had brought this weekend (YUM!), when they and Mark came down. They filled my freezer up with stuff. It's quite a wonderful selection in there. I just decided to go for soup tonight so I didn't have to think too much about what mix of goodies to have. I must write Mark's mom a thank you note, too, because I recognize some of her trademark dishes in there.

Teresa who stopped by on her way home and I got to visit with her a little. Barbara called to check on me, too. I'm so touched that friends have been so incredibly helpful during this whole thing.

I'm going to lay down for a little bit now and rest. I'm feeling like I need to be not sitting up for awhile. But, I'm amazed at how good I feel overall. Never imagined I'd be blogging the first night home.

Well, time for a nap for me!
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Helpful Folks



This is Rhonda, who was there during my last night at Via Christie. She was very kind. She works only limited hours, and floats "as needed" on the floor, because she spends most of her time with her three year old daughter. You can't argue with that, of course.

I was a little nauseated for awhile, but after that passed I felt more normal and got up to walk a few times during the night. I've never been a good sleeper - witness I'm up right now - and decided I might as well make use of the time to walk a bit.

Besides, it can be fun to see the nurses in less guarded moments, enjoying the occasional quiet they get. And as far as I can tell they don't get much.

We caught Paula, who was my nurse earlier, in a funny moment.


   
I got the distinct impression that Paula can be the life of the party at times.



Audrey was not my nurse at anytime, but did help me the day I was so sick. What an awful day to help out. I guess one of the reasons they're nurses is that they handle that sort of thing much better than the rest of us.

 

This is Donna, who was my tech my last day. She had a great story to tell. One of the things you learn as a journalist is that almost everyone has a wonderful story - you just have to ask and listen.


Donna started at Via Christie 14 years ago in housekeeping and decided she wanted to do something different. So, she got her CNA license. This year she's starting nursing school. She discovered she just really like helping people. How can you not love that quality in another human being, much less a nurse?

Jenni was my nurse a couple of times while I was there. She is expecting her second child in about eight weeks. Her little girl will soon have a baby brother.

She's trying to convince her daughter to get potty trained before the new baby arrives. Jenni thinks - and who could disagree - that one baby in diapers is enough at any given moment. I hope that works out for Jenni and her husband, and their her daughter.

Jenni was very kind and caring. Like everyone I ran into there.

I know I missed getting photos of some of the folks who were so helpful during my stay. It wasn't an intentional slight - just one of those things that happened.

 

I called the person in charge before I left, to let them know how great my experience was. They say a survey comes to some folks after their stay, but it's random. I hope I get one.


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Check www.patsyterrell.com for the blog, art, and more. Friend me on facebook.com. Follow me at twitter.com.