Monday, 11/15

We are home! It was a long day but we finally made it with only a few bumps along the way.

I decided to take the day off so that I could be present at any appointments or procedures and to be there for discharge. I was able to get a sub and my speech friends helped give a little extra therapy to the kiddo's for me in my absence. Thanks girls!

I tried to surprise Kevin and just show up with a coffee but I had to call. I'm the worst with stuff like that! We did a lot of sitting around and waiting. Kevin's room was so cold that I was in full winter gear the whole time which included a couple of socks, a couple of shirts, Uggs, scarf, a jacket, and coat and mittens when necessary. The nurse thought I was nuts.

The highlight of my day was Kevin's somewhat flamboyant nurse, Joel. I smile just thinking about some of the things he said. One very humorous conversation involving a suppository, a glove, and a finger was just over the top! When we were about to discharge Joel said, "All right lets get our poop in a group and get out of here." Not quite sure what scenario I'll be able to use that line in!

Kevin attempted walking the hallway today and make it about 200 yards or feet not sure which one but couldn't make it back. He asked to be taken off the PCA pump and they did that in the a.m. and Kevin was o.k. with that. Kevin took a shower by himself but I could hear him saying, "Oh that is tight!" A common phrase heard lately referring to his leg. Around lunch the IV's were pulled out and we had a consult with the pain clinic nurse. It was decided that Kevin should be discharged and then head over to the clinic for the epidural steroid injection. When she did her assessment, Kevin was more numb in the good leg than the bad which seemed odd to us and he was very weak.

We had to wait a while for the discharge and our 1:30 pain appointment was getting close which was putting Joel in a tizzy. He ended up threatening the dr. through email and raced Kevin through the hallways in the wheelchair while I trailed behind lugging 5 bags or so, I was exhausted! We checked into the MAPS pain clinic and Kevin tried to walk to the examining room but almost fell so had to be wheeled in the room. I had to leave for the injection so I went to get my car and started planning for today. I realized at that point that Kevin couldn't be alone tomorrow. I was calling mom and Barb to make the best plan for everyone.

When I saw Kevin in recovery he seemed good until he tried to walk, just couldn't do it. They wheeled him to me and we discussed (or argued) the whole way home about me staying home from work. Kevin said he'd be fine but I wasn't so sure about it. The decision was made quickly when Kevin pulled a stunt when we got home.

He needed to hold on to me and the car to get to the door. Then he had to pull up his pants to lift his leg or I had to lift it for him to get up the one step. He grabbed a drink and I went to the bathroom and I come out and he's gone! I thought he was playing a trick and hiding from me so I was really quiet trying to listen for him. After a few minutes or so I start really looking for him and you want to know where he was? At the end of our driveway with a push broom as a crutch and stuck half laughing/half crying! Unbelievable. This guy hasn't walked in 5 days and thinks he's going to just stroll out and get the mail. Well it took us a while to get into the house using me, the broom, the car, etc. You can guess Kevin didn't have a leg to stand on (literally and figuratively) about whether or not I'd be going to work. He is now glued to the chair and was instructed not to leave.

Tomorrow I will watch over him, fill prescriptions, make appointments, and try to get my hands on a walker. Wendesday, hopefully, Dick and Barb will come over and maybe Thursday and Friday. What would I do without you guys?

Alaina just arrived home and was excited to see Kevin. She asked, "Does he have any cords?" She was still a little unsure about him but I know she's excited. I emailed her teacher so he could let her know. Let's hope for a quiet night with relaxation and some yummy food from Sara and Christ!
Sara