Bumpy Roads

The road to recovery has bumps...

Straining to poop seems like not a big deal...maybe.  But, when you have just had part of your spine replaced and are in a back brace, straining to poop can be a very big deal.  Especially when you stimulate your vagus nerve and black out on the toilet.  Then, your wife had to man handle you back to bed (after putting the bathroom call light on---the nurses would not get speeding tickets, I am sure of that.)  So, this morning there were a few bumps on our road to recovery.  But after some rest and relaxation, Aaron felt better and was able to continue with his inpatient therapy program.

It was just a little bump in the road but it was enough to set Aaron back an entire morning.  Later in the afternoon, we received good news.  We get to go home on Friday.  Yes!  We get to see our children again, after almost two very long weeks.  I cannot wait to hold them in my arms, clean up their messes, and break up their fights.

Homesick is a feeling that I cannot get rid of.  Aaron and I were fortunate enough to have his brother, Ryan, stay with us for several days.  Ryan made the hospital feel a little less sterile and more like home.  He really eased a lot of our pain, calmed our nerves, and was an extra set of hands to take care of Aaron.  And even though his wife may not admit that she missed him (even though she must have---how can you not miss Ryan?) I will say that I miss him now that he is gone.  So, Aaron's care is left up to me and some absentee nurses.  Again, I am thankful for the care that our nurses give our patients in our little, hometown hospital.



Aaron's brother Ryan took this photo of himself with my phone, it will haunt him for the rest of his life.

 Aaron is finally starting to realize how loved he is.  He has had countless visitors, piles of cards and gifts, and endless thoughts and prayers.  Instead of shedding tears of sorrow and pain, he has started to shed tears of joy, love, and appreciation.  He tells everyone that he loves them, EVERYONE.  If anyone calls him, he says "I love you" before hanging up the phone.  Aaron has always been a loving, giving person but he definitely has a fresh outlook on life.

So, the countdown is on...two more nights sleeping at the hospital, one more day of a grueling rehab schedule, four more hospital meals, and a couple more doctor visits.  Then we are on our way home, returning to our loved ones.