I'm Home!

Hi, Everyone, It's Danene-I'm Home! I left the hospital yesterday afternoon, looking forward to being with my family and starting to get back to normal, but also with a sadness at leaving the people that had helped me through one of the toughest times of my life. I was blessed with what I would consider to be some of the best nurses that I could have had-ones that God new I needed for those moments they were with me: Fe, who prayed with me in the night when I was having a low moment; Erika, who gave words of encouragement when something unexpected happened; June, who told it to me like it is so that I would let her do her job and take care of me with out apologies; Marion, who I had for four days and handled each situation with me in a way that made me feel comfortable and safe; the student nurse who provided me with a light moment when she was elected to give me a bath, and kind of didn’t know exactly how to begin; and our two angels, Sue, the charge nurse who first greeted me when I was admitted, put us in a private room when she saw what we were going through, was on vacation for a week, then came back the day I was discharged with a smile at my color and improvement, who you have no doubt is in charge, but opened her heart to us; and Erin, a student nurse who also was only there my first day and my last, but who cared for me with humor and efficiency, talked with me about personal things, laughed when I talked on the phone “like a teenager” with my aunt, and touched my heart with talk of her own children and the one she is expecting in a few months. When I was discharged, these two walked us all the way to the car, waved us off, and found a permanent place in my heart.

My family has been wonderful since I got home. Matt continues to help with my every need, especially finding things for me to eat, as I still don’t have a great appetite. This is something I would ask you to pray for, as I need to keep my calories up and gain back my strength, and many times nothing sounds good. He also helped me with my first shower in eleven days. Who would have thought washing my hair could feel so good! That really helped bolster my spirits. My kids are learning to adjust to mom being home, but not in the same way. They are pitching in, albeit not always wanting to, and helping with things I can’t do now.

Physically, I am working on sleeping in bed with my husband (what a wonderful thing!) and being comfortable as my side strengthens, resting, and walking to get strength. We await the pathology report on the kidney and tumor, and I will see the doctor later this week. Other than that, life goes on (thank you, Lord).

Matt and I will continue to keep you posted on what we find out, but for now I want to thank all of you for your prayers and your offers of help, your uplifting words, and sharing with us in our faith that our mighty God has spared me and will continue to work His will in my life. This has been an experience that has truly been life changing.

Sunday, October 5, 2008