Bring on the Sunshine

After two back to back days of surgery and medical procedures (really do not recommend), I was released from Piedmont Hospital on Wednesday. They were able to wheel me through the tunnel between Shepherd and Piedmont where the walls are covered with fun hand painted murals so I could go straight up to be with David. Our new friend Alex, who works at Shepherd and came to us by way of another dear friend, met me at the Shepherd line. It felt like some sort of military prisoner swap - maybe I’ve watched too much MASH over the years. 

Wow, was it so good to see David and to be with him once I got out from Piedmont.

David's days continue to fill up with different therapy sessions of different varieties. Additionally, the intubation of two days right after the accident - while vital for breathing - was not nice to his vocal cords and his diaphragm muscles took a hit with the injury.  Although this has affected his breathing & speech patterns, yesterdays scope (at Piedmont!) shows all is well so he is working to get them stronger so that his cough is also stronger. Apparently, one way to do that is karaoke - they had him singing yesterday during his speech & respiratory therapy session to improve that lung function. I was just informed by him that he did not select “his” classic karaoke song “Beverly Hills” by Weezer - but instead chose Love Shack by the B-52s. I do hope he had a back up singer or two.

Step-sister Hilary has been a godsend to both of us since her arrival on Sunday morning. So thankful for her being with both of us once I went down and it was just so good to spend time with her. Mel and Hilary's mom Ellie (MEllie by those in the know) were married in 2019 and we haven’t all had a lot of opportunity to spend a lot of time together. She has been the silver lining of this whole mess (as I wave my hands back and forth dramatically in the air). What a pure gift - for which both David and I are so thankful as they’ve also had a lot of good time together.  

Hilary and I started hanging the cards that have started to come in - keep em coming! If you didn’t get the Team Sward email with his address, please respond to the email this post came in and a member of Team Sward will get it to you so you can send something funny, meaningful, or just a quick hello. 

This morning, a friend texted a link to a little video with a cartoon girl holding a big yellow sunflower with the Beatles “Here Comes the Sun” playing. It put a smile on my face and I immediately sent it to David, who also needed a little pick me up. The Great Gallbladder Episode took a direct toll on him too and I’m thankful that this is behind us so he can focus on his work. No more llama drama. 

I’m about to take off from Atlanta to DCA so I can be with Matthew and Colin. Onward!