Homeward Bound…but where are my pants?

Patiently waiting for the 1st floor...

Greetings!

We are alive and kicking despite seemingly falling off the radar in the last week or so. I must start out by apologizing if this seems a little scattered, it is a truthful representation of our lives at this point. The days have all started to run together and what took place when all seems a bit of a blur, so I apologize for any of that that comes out here :o)

Since last updated Dad was released from ICU, although his overall state was not good. It has been a long arduous week for Dad. He has been, up until Friday-ish, continually struggling with GI issues that have been monitored closely, his stamina was slim to none, and again he had no real desire (or ability) to be out of bed. With some "Becky Encouragement" Physical Therapy was called in for a consult, as our concern was Dad’s ability to get up the 2 flights of stairs to the flat. He lasted about 5 minutes of exercises and that did him in. It really wasn’t until Wed. or Thurs. that he started to entertain the notion of food.

Friday afternoon brought everyone to the hospital for "post hospitalization training" for Mom and I, and Aunt Linda (Dad’s younger sister who arrived last weekend for emotional support and stress relief) too. This day was an emotional day for Mom and I. At that point we were not at all comfortable with the notion of him being released on Monday based on how "punked" he had been during the week, and culminated in Emily and Becky’s Emotional Meeting of the Minds with a Doctor and Physician’s Assistant (Read: emotional break down). There had been a continued break down in communication between members of Dad’s Team, i.e. doctors with doctors and other hospital staff, which filtered down to Mom and Me with many opposing answers to the same important questions, such as roughly what date are you thinking for release? Needless to say, the Lavely women clearly and respectfully made their point, and then it was like a NASCAR race. We had training for what to watch for and consider when Dad is released with the Physician’s Assistant, a meeting with Pharmacy on drugs and dosages, taining on how to clean and flush his Pic-Line, a meeting with physical therapy, being sure that the staff of 11 Long knew that we were apprecitive of all of their help Dad (arguably all of us) wouldn't have made it this far if it weren't for them. With our final conversation between Dad, Mom, and myself: You say you feel good and fine, prove it. You have to be sitting up in bed, walking, and drinking your fluids. Until you act like you say you feel WE won’t let you leave. And we’re off. The fear of mom and I not letting him come home got him moving around a bit more, and as he moved about, he started to feel better.

Saturday March 15th—HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO DAD! We got permission that Dad could have a homemade cake on his Birthday so I baked his favorite chocolate cake and took that to him. He promptly ate a piece for his morning snack! If he weren’t required to have high-caloric snacks, I don’t think that would fly, but there are exceptions to every rule! This day was also Moving Day for Mom. Who found herself, with the help of The Bertchtold Boys, packing up a few things, the least of which is Dad’s coveted recliner, and heading over to the flat (address forthcoming…). The flat is lovely, sitting off of Park Presidio opposite Golden Gate Park, it is minutes from the hospital, has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, a sun room, and came fully furnished. We are very thankful to have had this place fall into our lap with the help from a few friends.

I am also very pleased to say that as of about 1:30 this afternoon Dad is no longer a resident of 11 Long, but was released home, or what will be home for a minimum of 3 months. This too was not without a bump in the road. We received the all clear, he had his last IV medication, got in the shower and started to get dressed, "Can you hand me my clothes? Where are my pants?" It seems that in packing for the release his pants were inadvertently left out! My Dad, being his normal dignified self responds, "I don’t care, I will leave here naked if I have to, just give me something to hold in my lap!" So we did not intend to "steal" hospital bottoms, but given the alternative….

We have received numerous questions and compliments on our Team Rick Shirts as they have been out and about The City recently. I do promise that if you ordered one, that they are here, and will be enroute to each of you shortly! Linda generously stayed at the flat, and started organizing Dad’s many pill bottles, and Mom and I were able to have one last little bit of together time—at the Grand Hyatt drinking Cosmos! Oh and they were gooooooooood! It was a time to relax, celebrate finally getting to this point, and process the journey that we have been on for nearly 3 years.

It has been a long, eventful, and emotional 41 days since Dad was hospitalized and 25 days since his transplant, and we have many more long days to come. We are by no means out of the woods. We know that there is a 50/50 chance that he will be readmitted to the hospital during this next phase, and we know that it is important the we remain vigilant with his care and be his advocate. And through all of this we also know that Dad, Mom, Tori, and myself would not have made it to this point without your love and support. The cards, or as I like to call it the air assault, calls, and emails have been so much appreciated. It should be noted that Dad received more hospital greetings (via the hospital link) than ANY patient in the hospital. GO TEAM RICK!!!

A few very special Thank You’s, per Mom’s request: The Bertchtold Boys (Mike and Tom) who willingly and without hesitation gave us a Saturday to help make the move to The City much easier (despite having to stop 3 times to re-tie the recliner :P) Aunt Linda, who has come and provided direction, organization, and focus during this chaotic week of transition, and who has graciously offered to stay-on longer to help make sure things are settled. The Staff of 11 Long—None of us can express enough how thankful and appreciative we are of the doctors and nurses who work on that floor. They are amazing, and we cannot sing their praises enough!


Much love and many thanks!
Emily (with Dad, Mom, & Tori)