It's hard to believe that yesterday (Saturday) was one week since the surgery. So much has happened and the days have gone by surprisingly fast. Still though...a week in the hospital is a week in the hospital. it will be nice when we can get Rachel home so she can sleep better.
In the morning Sam and I walked to the hospital. We stopped at a 7-11 on the way in and I bought Rachel a Coke Slurpee, something that was on her "must-drink list" after passing her swallow test. When we got there Karen helped Rachel get cleaned up and did her hair for her. Before lunch Sam and I walked 5 laps around the floor with Rachel. The numbness from the incision is starting to wear off and the pain is making her pretty tired. Still though, when her nurses come in and ask what her pain level is on a scale of 1-10 she'll quietly say "Oh, maybe like a 5." A clamshell incision, spread ribs, numerous catheters, IV needles, finger pricks, sore muscles from being cut and stretched...this girl is tough as nails.
In the afternoon Rachel and I watched "Chopped" on the Food Network until falling asleep. After a 20 minute nap we got up and met with a physical therapist who took Rachel down the hall to work on walking up and down some stairs. I went with them as Rachel walked up and down 4 "practice stairs" in a hallway closet area. Her legs were a little shaky, but she still did great. After the stairs she walked 2 more laps before returning to her room.
Dr. Shah, who performed the transplant, had come in earlier during the day to tell Rachel that he was going to be out of town until next week, and probably won't see Rachel before she leaves. Later a CF doctor, Dr. Merlo, came in to see Rachel. Both doctors said that she was looking and doing amazingly well. It's strange to talk so candidly to the man who saved your wife's life barely a week ago. Thanks again, Dr. Shah, you're the man.
After dinner last night we walked 3 more laps, taking Rachel's total to 10 laps or 1/4 mile total for day! At the end of our walk we sat on a bench and talked about the things we miss about being home together, and what we're looking forward to doing next week. It's going to be awesome to just be together every evening like we would before the surgery. I'd come home from work, help with dinner, eat with her, read the Bible to her after dinner, help her clean up the dishes, then relax in our home with my wife. It will be different when we get home, as she will need 24-hour care (from her mom during the day, and me from the evening on) and will be resting for the better part of several weeks. But it will still be the best thing in the world to be with my wife...my wife who can finally breathe.
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