Day 3

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Last night we both slept really well with only the regular hourly interruptions and no pokes and no new platelet transfusions. By the morning we both felt a lot better. Unfortunately, Sam's blood count numbers are such that his immune system is essentially gone. So, from this point on, he is very susceptible to bacteria and viruses. We're obsessive now about washing our hands and protecting him from germs. Any visitors who come need to only touch him on the legs, over the blankets and refrain from hugs or kisses.

Grandma and Grandpa showed up at about 10am with all kinds of good stuff like home-made corn chowder, grape juice and an old wireless router that Grandpa wasn't using anymore.

I've spent hours and hours (mostly in the middle of the night) trying to get my computer connected to the internet in our room. The IT tech line couldn't help me and they wouldn't give me the password to the wireless network which had 5 bars in our room, but no access without a password. So, Grandpa and I finally figured that we'd do it ourselves. We started a new wireless network in the hospital, setup a new WEP and bingo, we were in. Now I don't have to walk half way across the hospital to connect and Sam can use SKYPE for video conferencing with his friends and relatives.

Sam was pretty sore in the morning from yesterday's 1 hour surgery to insert a Vascular Access Device. By noon we were both exhausted and we had a 3 hour nap while Debbie sat out on the sunny deck and read the thick binder they had prepared for us.

After I woke up, Debbie and I started to go through the binder together. We recorded a lot of things in the binder and learned more about what we were up against in the coming years.

Dave and Sherry came back to say good-bye before they head back home to PG. We got changed, did the 'shower' thing, got Sam dressed and we went out on the deck for some corn chowder and sister Donna's sandwiches. Donna has been so great to us. She looks after Debbie and has brought us food at the hospital every day.

In the evening we talked some more on the deck with Grandma and Grandpa and then everybody went home and Sam and I started a movie. We didn't get very far and we both wanted to go to sleep. Today was a good day. We laughed about some silly stuff, Sam made some funny jokes and it seemed like we got back a little flash of our 'previous life'. It was really good.

Katelyn and Karly have had a busy time in PG. Ladonna and Mel have been looking after Karly (and the Uys too) and Kate has been at NLBC with Anna and helping with their work bee. Both the girls have been amazing through the past 5 days. We basically just 'left them' last Wednesday night and they have adapted and adjusted with the help of so many friends and family.

Tomorrow is another day. God is good.

-Ger