Homebound

Joy was advised that she will be released from the hospital tomorrow.

Between the flurry of pre-release activity, Joy walked fourteen laps and would have been able to walk an additional four later tonight but was constricted by the nightly feeding tube and a couple last minute IV's. Ultimately, she could have made the ever elusive mile but we were satisfied knowing that it was within her grasp. She now has a new light weight walker added for stability and to carry O2, but we do not anticipate she will required the use of either for any extended period of time.

The day was almost overwhelming with scheduling and training for diabetes issues, home health care for feeding and new BiPap breathing machine, reviewing all the meds I purchased last night, getting new Rx for more meds and blood sugar testing, training on tube feeding and flushing those stomach tubes, wound care and probably more that I just can't remember. You just couldn't imagine what this day was like without being here. It was like learning to be an RN or Nurse Practitioner, all in a few fleeting hours. Thank God that Joy can participate in some of this. She gave herself two insulin injections today and performed admirably.

Tomorrow we start a new chapter. Coming home and getting settled in will be crazy and exhausting but once we get some routine and organization, I think we will be OK. She has a blood test appointment at the clinic on Friday, a doctor appointment at the clinic Tuesday which will encompass most of the day and Monday, she will be re-evaluated at the Center of Living Pepsico Building and begin the daily four hour exercise routine. She is so, so excited about that!

I picked up new meds tonight and last count was twenty-two daily meds consisting of sixty-two pills or doses.

Overall, the surgery expense will be about a half million dollars but her feeding tube will save on groceries for a couple months!

So, let's see what tomorrow brings.