Bad Timing (sounds like a farscape episode)

 

Ok, I know, I’m not doing so well keeping everyone up to date. When I last wrote Sam had finally got out off the transplant floor and was in our apartment dealing with the TPN issues.  The next morning (Monday) at her scheduled lab and clinic appointment at the hospital, they decided they missed her too much and decided to take her back. They wanted to medicate, hydrate and test our theory that it was the TPN that Sam was reacting so badly to.  Our home nurse didn’t think so and Sam’s doctors were skeptical, but after the test they agreed with us and stopped the TPN. After such a rough week, Sam was mentally and physically exhausted.  She was also feeling down because her friends were arriving in Miami just as she was being admitted back into the hospital. She wanted so bad, to be out for her friends visit.  Well, three of her best friends: Ness, Carly and Alex came and spent every possible minute at Sam's bedside.  By the end of that first day the change in Sam was unbelievable.  She was happy and feeling good hanging with her friends.  So good in fact, that Dolly and I took our first day off in months.  The girls in the mean time had Sam sitting up playing games and eating McDonalds and her favorite subway sandwich #4 (this was after not eating anything by mouth for almost two weeks.)  The Doctors saw this change and told Sam if she was still feeling good Wednesday they would discharge her Thursday morning to be out in time for Thanksgiving. Sadly the three girls had to leave Wednesday, and girls- I could never thank you enough for what you did for Sam’s spirits. Well Sam's Doctor and coordinator kept their word and worked hard to prepare everything for Sam's early release Thanksgiving morning.  Dolly went shopping and  we prepared to have a Thanksgiving Feast with all of Sam’s favorites in hopes she could enjoy at least a bite or two of each.  Well Thursday came and we got there early to get Sam, but  instead of a Thanksgiving day feast we ended up doing a Thanksgiving day fast. Because of the skeleton crew working the holiday, the assigned Doctor for the day never got  around to Sam for discharge.  An aggressive nurse was finally able to obtain authorization for discharge at 5 pm from the doctor and we finally got out a little after 7 pm.  A little late to start the dinner but I realized that day, Thanksgiving is not about the food, (or football) it’s about the family.  While we could not be with Alex, Carisa and Tony (and all the other names) we were so grateful and enjoying our time with each other  (especially with Sammy).  Last Thanksgiving, we didn’t know if we would ever share another Thanksgiving meal with her.  We were blessed the next day as Dolly made us a wonderful gourmet, yet traditional Turkey dinner in our limited kitchenette. Kids back home, thank you for sending us the video…it made us laugh.  OK now that dinner is over, tonight it will be about.. football. The Bears are making a rare appearance on TV tonight here in south Florida. 

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and remember to live in the moment,  enjoying the time you have with your loved ones.

PS.  What did Dolly and me do with our day off you might have asked….I’ll never tell ;)

Lots of love (ok, I told)

Chris