Update

When I was in junior high school, I read every single one of the Cherry Ames books. I loved them. I still remember Gwen Jones, Ann Evans, Vivian Warren, and Marius Lexington Upham; that's how deeply ingrained it all is. It turned out that nursing school wasn't in the cards for me but much later, hospital chaplaincy was, and that was just as rewarding as I'd imagined nursing would have been.

The nurses -- and everyone else involved in Joe's care -- were nothing short of wonderful. They were patient, encouraging, and caring. They listened. They knew how to speak in layman's language.

The surgery was on a Thursday and he broke loose came home the following Wednesday, to his immense relief. The ICU is where one goes to get better, not to sleep. 

So he's here and, actually, despite my not having attended the Spencer Hospital School of Nursing, we're doing okay. 

He's a good patient, mostly, trying to do what the professionals have told him to do. He's struggling with impaired sleep, which we've been assured is normal and will get better, and a productive cough that is slowly improving. Our wonderful hospital has provided home care in the form of visiting nurse and physical therapist, both of whom have been excellent. And we've been busy: This week there has been something every day -- appointments with primary doctor, follow up with surgeon, blood draws and chest x-ray, visiting nurse, and PT. We bailed on Hallowe'en but he was insistent that we go to vote and we did. He has been able to manage his own medication (when and why did medicine turn into medication?) and maintains the calendar of appointments. He does his prescribed laps around the house and uses his incentive spirometer, though he's a bit grumpy about that particular task. 

I'm the chief cook and consoler and since he isn't allowed to drive for a couple more weeks, I'm the transporter. Yesterday, speaking of fictional characters, I told him I was turning into Samantha Stewart from "Foyle's War" (and if you haven't watched this particular series, you really should because it is so good). I'm learning how to cook a cardiac diet and am easing into it rather than making an abrupt switch, and we're neither of us complaining about that. Virtually everyone we know has extended offers of help. Lizzy is on an extended holiday at Sherry's. Our good neighbor Andrea who is a caterer comes by on Saturday afternoons, bringing all manner of delights (her Chicken Marsala is very, very good).

So things are good. And getting better. We are blessed.