Hello, Saturday!

Today brought our first trip out since Rick had his surgery on Sunday!

We met our son, Jake, our daughter-in-law, Becky, and our grandson, Jackson at Agri-Action at our local college this morning. For those outside our town, Agri-Action is a forum for the local agriculture equipment sellers to show their products to the public. We haven't been for the last couple of years.

Rick decided last night that he wanted to take Jackson today; so arrangements were made to meet the kids this morning.

I don't know who had more fun, Jackson or Rick. It took us an hour to meander through all the tractors and machinery and irrigation products and pick-up trucks.

All in all, a fun time. Jake and Becky took Jackson home to take a nap and I took Rick home to take a nap. I don't know about Jackson, but Rick was wiped out.

Hope everyone has had an awesome Saturday, like we did!

Donnelly

We're home!

In all the confusion yesterday afternoon, I forgot to say that we are home! We were discharged at about 2:30 P.M.

I am so grateful to the following people who have helped us through this journey since Saturday night.

Dusty Blackburn-our E.R. Nurse-He was Jekyll and Hyde in the play Rick and Hannah were in in October by the same name. He took awesome care of my peeps! We couldn't have done it without him!

Tom Burby-an E.R. Nurse-The dad of one of Hannah's best friends, Candice. He has the same warm smile that his daughter has and the same delightful sense of humor! It was nice to have a little humor.

Shawna-our surgery day nurse. The most amazing young woman. Nursing is definitely her calling. Very funny and caring and warm! Even came to check on us when we were no longer her assignment!

Brittnie-our day two CNA. Again, an amazing young woman. Very caring. I think she checked on us more that any of her other patients. She got it! She understood that we just needed a friendly face.

Katrina and Rachel-our day two and three nurses. An amazing team of young ladies. Very caring and no nonsense, but not to the point that they weren't warm and caring. Tried their hardest to prod Rick into doing the things he needed to do to get to go home, such as walking, breathing exercises, eating, showering, sitting in a chair, coughing and so much more. Always on the ready to make sure Hannah and I as comfortable as possible.

We are doing really well today. I went to work today. When I got home, Rick took a shower all by himself. He even ate a real dinner. He hasn't eaten "real food" since Saturday afternoon. Lots of jello, broth, yogurt, eggs and pudding. Tonight he has managed to keep down Stroganoff!

I would like to thank all my family and friends for their prayers and support. I couldn't have done this without you all.

Love,
Donnelly

We might be able to go home today!!!

Rick was supposed to come home yesterday, but his blood oxygen levels were not great and he had a little fluid on his lungs; so he ended up having to stay again.

Today, he got to eat eggs, yogurt and coffee. He got a shower and took his first walk of 4 for the day. Doc says he will probably get to go home today. I am so very thankful.

We had the most amazing nursing staff helping us. They were all very knowledgeable, and so very helpful! It is nice when you have friendly caring nurses.

I would like to thank all my family and friends for the prayers!

Have a great day!

Donnelly

As I am sitting in the hospital, visiting my favorite blogs while I wait for Rick to be discharged I have come across "The Simple Woman's Daybook" entry for today and I decided that maybe I would play along.

Outside my window...is blue sky and the other side of the hospital. I haven't been home to look out my window since Sunday.

I am thinking...I will probably take tomorrow off as well, to keep an eye on Rick.

I am thankful for...My daughter sitting here next to me, keeping me company and the doctors and nursing staff that have taken such good care of us.

I am wearing...jeans and a long-sleeve sweater as it is a bit chilly.

I am remembering...how much I really love my husband.

I am going...home soon I hope.

I am currently reading...my favorite blogs.

On my mind...my 4 other children that can't be here with their dad and how stressed they are.

Noticing that...

Pondering these words...

From the kitchen...hoping to cook dinner from home tonight, something simple like scrambled eggs.

Around the house...managing to have the dishes done and the laundry done, despite the fact that I haven't been home much since Sunday.

One of my favorite things...listening to my daughter, Hannah, laugh.

From my picture journal...Hannah and her best friend, Amy, on Hannah's 18th birthday.

Have a great day!

Donnelly

Hello, hospital...Updated!

Last night, I had to bring Rick into our local emergency room. He had a gall bladder/gall stone attack. Hannah and I are currently in the surgery waiting room waiting rather impatiently for the surgeon to remove Rick's gall bladder and possibly his appendix. Looks like he should be able to come home tomorrow, hopefully.

At least this time, they figured it out. Last time we were here about 8 or so months ago, they couldn't tell us what it was. And we got our favorite emergency room nurse (who is a friend of ours) which cheered us all immensely.

All I can say is thank goodness for WebMD. He asked me to look up gall bladder issues, since it runs in his family and sure enough that is what it was.

Donnelly

P.S. We ended up having to have his gall bladder removed and then a second procedure to remove gall stones from his bile duct. He is resting pretty well right now.