I gained 18 pounds

OF WATER in the hospital and have an unquenchable thirst!  How can that be?

At the hospital I was able to have ice chips to suck on when this terrible thirst would occur. 

Sometimes my stomach/chest would be so full of fluids I could hardly breathe. My belly so distended I could not get out of bed. 

They diluted my Potassium levels enough I had to have the “horse pill” size supplement….two of them at a time just before my discharge. 

I got home yesterday afternoon about 2 pm and was on the hunt for something to sip on.  Gatorade, while cold, was wonderful the first three giant sips. Sugar content in the Gatorade quickly gave me cotton mouth which worsened the thirst. If that was even possible!

Once again, Joe became “My Hero”!  He was long gone from home when I arrived. On his way to Nashville, Tennessee. Our wonderful neighbor, Hugh, picked me up at the hospital. Prearranged by Joe. 

So how would Joe be of help and not even here?  The better question is….how did he know 12 years ago the Christmas present he bought would be just what I need right now?!

He bought a Cuisinart “Smart Stand” small kitchen appliance. Comes with a mini food processor and an immersion blender. 

Fill the bowl with ice cubes…..

Pulse the stick thing until…..

You have perfection!

Just enough large chips to chew on, mostly really great slush!

Anything sweet leaves me with cotton mouth.  Dasani Drops are out for now. 

So no Snow Cones 😖 for now. My feet and legs are so swollen right now. Excuse the bad pedicure….actually no pedicure. 

So…..what am I GRATEFUL FOR?

1. I am home from the hospital!
2. No day and night blood pressure and temperature checks. 
3. Praise God, no more IV Fluids. 
4. I had a shower in the hospital which felt great. 
5. I had a luxurious shower this morning in my home without fear of the blood pressure nurse coming for me. 
6. A Thank You Tote was given to everyone that tended me.  One of the Room Service people had been given one previously that I did not remember. I ran all out of assembled supply packets when she came with my tray. I was distressed she was being left out. She got hers the day before. 
7. My neighbor came to the hospital to bring me home. He even carried in my cra….stuff. 
8. Joe and his Cuisinart Smart Stand so I can have chipped ice at home. 
9. I can make it myself when I need it, not wait for a member of nursing to bring it. 
10. Sleep in my recliner as I need to. Not the waterbed for a while. I would pee myself trying to get out of bed. 

I sent him on a treacherous mission

And he prevailed!  My hero!

It nearly did him in though. 

As my 103 degree fevers were reducing and I was on the way to healing it was time to ask Joe if he would take on a dangerous mission. 

He would need to go into a potentially unsafe environment. Obstacles could cut into his ankles. Tripping hazards are definitely something he will need to watch for. There will be near lethal attacks coming from hidden spaces. 

His objective is to enter this hostile space, get his information via phone only. He will need to follow instructions while keeping an eye on dangers. 

First request:  Scrapbook Tote. Under the table to the right. Too late he was told about the the first hazard. An over full and unstable large baking pan ready to fall at the least bit of provocation. 

Success:  he did topple the baking pan, some items attacked his toes. 

He would need to extract two items first before he could safely go for the next objective. 

Leaning against the large cupboard door is a large guillotine trimmer and a large scorning board. These are to go in the scrapbook tote. 

Next was to get the Sizzix Texture Boutique.  Open the left door. Look about chest height to see the blue purse. Make sure to get the two black plastic and one thin white plastic piece. 

Next, carefully turn around and go to the desk surface. To the left next to my heat embossing machine are the embossing folders needed. 

Still at the table, look to the top left to find an odd grey and turquoise board. For better clarification on what is needed, he was to locate an orange paper trimmer then take the piece needed. 

The final item would be found on the table top somewhere. A pink strip of paper, one inch wide with writing on it. 

He needed help to find a very specific paper pad. 

Joe did his usual excellent job at being my Superman. He even brought with him our daughters. Via the excellent care I have been given at the hospital AND the arrival of extra love from the girls I am healing well enough that I may be going home tomorrow. 

My extra love and support team. Tiffany and Keri. 

Since the arrival of my tools I have made my signature 3×3 note totes to thank everyone that has done something for me in one manner or another. 

Eight nurses, eight techs who supplied me with top notch care. The first two days they willingly brought Sprite and Chicken Noodle Soup with crackers to ease the absolutely unreal sensations of nausea and extreme hunger. Each nurse and tech received a Thank You Tote. 

During all this mayhem I’ve had four housekeepers taking out the trash, cleaning the bathroom and shower, cleaning the sink, sweeping and mopping the floor, and sanitizing the tray table. During this process I had to leave because the aromas of chemicals was overpowering. Each housekeeper got a Thank You Tote. 

The four Room Service people that brought the food trays received a Thank You Tote. 

Hopefully I will be going home tomorrow.  I am so swollen from all the fluids I have been given. My feet and ankles look about ready to pop. I have pressure cuffs on my legs. These things have airbags that expand and deflate. Each leg gets a tight squeeze then release then switches to the next leg. 

This little patch of misery will pass and I will be home recuperating.  Thank you to all of my Facebook friends and family for your love support and prayers. I appreciate each of you. 

Leslie