Nite Nite Termite

Steve actually took a picture of himself today during his Pentamadine inhalation treatment at NW.  It conditions the lungs to ward off pneumonias and I suppose cooties.  Only needs it once a month and we pushed to have it done at home in the future, versus taking "Jungle Juice," the gawd-awful Mephron neon gaggy liquid.  Nasssstayyy.

We had an organized, uneventful yet wonderful discharge today.  Megan, Kevin and I were like worker bees.  By the 7th stay, you know the system.  Double-parked on Superior Street with the emergency flashers going.  Grab a cart (Deb B, hahahahaha), and head upstairs.  

When we got to his room, one of the kids remarked immediately that his IV was disconnected.  I started crying.  See why from just a few days ago...

We were given slow, deliberate discharge instructions both verbally and in writing by our nurse and the transplant team APN.  90% of his drugs are new to us, so tomorrow I'll make a chart and we begin the next leg of our journey.  One of the drugs is $3000 a month, another $500....insurance will cover, mercifully.  Walgreens Home Health has already called, and our dear home health nurse, Cheryl, will be here around lunchtime to draw labs and check out Steve's health.  AND GOSSIP and catch up!!!  

As we wheeled the cart out of his room, we came upon a family that was clearly far from going home.  The patient was a man, he had the rolling IV stand and oxygen.  His wife and adult daughter were with him.  We all stood still for a paused moment.  The man asked, "are you going home??" Boy, that was a tough one.  We were that family just the other day, and going home is not on the radar when it's "one day at a time."  We wished them well, and good luck, and they said "God Bless You," and we returned the wishes.  And then the man said to Steve, "you look really good!"  At that very moment we entered the whooshing set of double-doors that help create the negative pressure environment of the 15th Floor.  It was a very Star Trek-ish new age moment, we were leaving that world for the uncharted waters of transplant newness, they were left behind to discover the path we just walked.  A very sobering moment for me.


Steve was basking in the sun on the car ride home.  You can't do that in the hospital.  My Mom and sister had decorated the house with some fun "Welcome Home" items, which was nice.  The plant is from Craig Lanigan & Family :-)

When we got home, he opened mail while this old bag took a nap.  Then he napped and I made THE FIVE DOLLAR DISH, DAMMIT.  Here it is, Grandma Reppen would probably be giddy to know her simple meal provided so much comfort to her grandson at this time, and so many others.


He spent the evening watching t.v. and just chillin.  Megan and I got our flu shots at Walgreens.  ($29.99 each, the pharmacist administers them, sweet!!)


And now, the best picture of all.....ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ at home!!