Rule Breaker

Sorry, sorry, sorry. I didn't mean to leave you all hanging. And no, the delay on posting was not due to Harry Potter. Although I am loving it! Actually, I took yesterday off. From the hospital and the blog. It wasn't planned that way, but that's how it went. I feel terribly guilty, but know that it was good for me.

Sunday was a beautiful, perfect summer day. Again, not too hot, not too cold. So Page, Jim and I went for a walk with the dogs. For those of you who don't know, I live with 2 Golden Retrievers, Bryn (8 years) and Baily (8 months). We went to an area similar to Clifton Gorge. I really got a workout and my butt muscles are killing me today.

When we got back, Page went in to visit Jerid for a while. I was going to go in when she returned. From what I hear, they had a great afternoon together. They took a walk up and down the hall, and then Page wheeled Jerid outside. They ran into some bible thumpers and while Page left Jerid for a few minutes to feed her meter, Jerid was approached. Jerid being the overly polite guy that he is, actually tried to debate religious beliefs. Page returned and quickly ended the conversation. So that was Jerid's big contact with the outside world. I'm not sure about what else went on, but I know that Jerid did let Page see all of his battle wounds. She didn't get to see the grapefruit though!

Speaking of the grapefruit, we're down to a large orange. Things are shrinking slowly but surely. His legs are just about back to their skinny selves. Ahhh.....

Meanwhile, I was at home lounging, reading Harry, and eating leftover Chinese and a Blizzard. Around 3:00, I gave in and took a nap. I didn't wake until after 6. Ooops! Jerid called shortly after I woke and told me not to bother coming in. Yes, I felt bad. But not so bad that I didn't enjoy the rest of my evening.

I did go in early this morning. Jerid was up and done with breakfast and in the bathroom. (No issues there.) He was tired so we watched some reruns on TV.

Here's how you know that Jerid's feeling better. He gets joy out of defying the rules of the Hospital and ticking people off. After a ton of people came and went we were ready to walk. We had been waiting and waiting. Jerid was all suited up in his gown and mask and oxygen at the ready when a lady named Pat came in to give Jerid his respiratory treatment. (An aerosol) Well, Jerid's not crazy about this lady in the first place. She's a little annoying and feels she needs to talk the entire time she's in the room. She thinks she's funny. Even when you're watching a show on TV. She'll look up at the TV and say "Boy, isn't her hair shiny! I wish my hair were that shiny." Anyway, she came in and told Jerid he had to do his treatment. And Jerid said that he was going for a walk. And she said that it would only take 10 minutes. And Jerid said that he would do it when he got back. And Pat said that he had to do it now. And Jerid said no. So she said that she would put him down on the charts as "refused treatment". Ooohhh.... big threat. An aid was in there cracking up. So off we went on our walk. Jerid couldn't stop smiling. What a brat! It was hysterical.

The walk went great. He used oxygen because of the anemia (I'll explain in a bit) but didn't use a walker and went his farthest distance ever! 6 round trips up and down the hall, and a loop. Good job!

After the walk, Jerid was ready for a rest. So we lounged for a bit. Dr. Kotloff came in and updated us. Here's the scoop:

Jerid's creatinine level is down even further. Getting closer to normal. The renal team has even signed off on him.

Lung and liver function are doing great. The lungs could be a little better, but that will come with time and they're not worried.

The only real problem now is his anemia. He's anemic due to some of the immunosuppresents. This is the same problem that has been going on. It seems to be getting better, but they still need to tweak some of his medications. He had to have another blood transfusion today.

Dr. Kotloff says that he may be able to leave in a couple of days if they can get the anemia under control. Keep your fingers crossed! And chant and dance and pray!

Jerid ate dinner and then had his respiratory treatment. (Which was administered by a different therapist who said "Jerid? Did you really refuse treatment? That doesn't sound like you." When we told her the story she thought it was really funny.

Then we went for another walk. Not as long as the first, but this time he did it with NO WALKER OR OXYGEN! Wooohooo! We actually held hands and walked up and down the hall. How romantic. My boyfriend from down the hall was eating ice cream in his chair totally covered. Whew. This is when I took today's photo.

Then Jerid told me I could go home. Huh. I guess he was done with me. But not before he said "Remember that time I had a lung and liver transplant and had my chest cracked open 3 times in 3 different surgeries and was in kidney failure and was anemic and my wife didn't even come in one day?" Yeah. He's definitely feeling better.

OK. Off to see how Ron, Hermione and Harry are going to handle their latest predicament. I've really got it easy compared to them. Imagine being responsible for saving the entire wizarding world! Night Night.

One more thing...

I just got off the phone with Jerid. He had some leftover apple crisp that he wanted warmed, so guess what? He walked to the kitchen by himself and microwaved it and got some milk. Now that's progress!