John came home---- barely

Well, he's in our room sleeping, but it almost didn't happen!

Saturday morning I went to the hospital around 8:30 a.m. so I could hear the doctor's instructions. He was going to take the drain out and send him home that morning. Instead, when I got there, John was knocked out on nausea medicine. He got very sick Friday evening and was vomiting and very nauseated. They're not sure what happened. So, they said he was not going home and was having an x-ray instead to look for blockages or anything wrong with his abdomen. He was in intense pain. I think it was probably from eating again, putting him on oral pain meds, and getting up and moving around, mixed with the reality of "finally" feeling the pain for real with the morphine drip and pump gone.

It was a long day. I didn't take anything to do with me that day because I thought we were leaving. So, I sat and watched him sleep and took care of him for 10-1/2 hours. I tried to leave several times, but he kept asking me to stay so he would have a "voice". (I did everything for him and made sure they took care of things when he needed them. Otherwise he would sit and wait a long time.)

I figured it would be Monday or Tuesday before he went home. His back was killing him because of the hospital bed though and his skin was getting a rash from not moving much, so we were both looking forward to getting him out of the hospital.

Yesterday, Sunday, I went up prepared---- I had my bag of goodies (magazine, book, Bible study, notebook, etc.) and his computer. I was thrilled to see him. He looked much better. Still weak and not as strong as he was on Friday, but 100% better than when I left him Saturday!!! He was sitting up and talking and coherent. (He was back on morpine, too.)

I checked his rash, took care of that, shaved his face, helped him brush his teeth and before we knew it, the surgeon came in. He asked if he wanted out of there. Of course John said yes, thinking it was for another day. He ended up sending in the physician assistant to take out the drain and got the paperwork done for him to go home that day! wow! I was very surprised. So were the nurses!

I had my doubts if it would happen as I tried to help him dress and get out of bed. I think his motto was "fake it 'til you make it" as he tried to move. He was in a LOT of pain. The ostomy care nurse came in and worked with us again and we were ready to go. He did great on the ride home and when we got to the house it seemed like a really long walk to the front door.

He sat in the recliner for several hours. He was so glad to have something comfy and not the hospital bed. I got him settled, then had to leave to go pick up his pain medicine from the pharmacy and a few supplies we would need to care for him here, as well as all of the stuff we were out of from the store. I was a little worried because I was gone a long time.

When I got home he was just getting up and was definitely ready for the pain medicine. I helped him get a shower and into fresh clothes and he went to bed. I was exhausted. He slept very well. We'll have to get up through the night about once from now on, but it's better than all night like we were up before! : )

The dogs are a little stressed. They know something is wrong. I was gone all week, John was gone, Grandma was here, they were in their kennel a lot and when I got home wtih John I did not even play with them or pet them. I was so busy with him and I had them put into their kennel. So, they barked and howled all night. aghhhhhhhhhh! They're better this morning, but I think they're a little depressed. They'll be ok in a day or two.

It feels so good to be home! I have a huge list of things to do around here. Now I can get busy. I think John will actually rest here. He didn't at the hospital. Our bed and chairs are comfortable, he can shower, have a quiet room, get up when he feels like it, etc. It's wonderful to have him home! The kids are really happy.