All week my siblings and I were hoping and praying that mom will be discharged from the hospital before Christmas Thursday. We visited her every day. Her doctor and nurse gave no indication of her possible discharge, though mom was progressing so well. Her lung surgery was entirely successful. We understood recovery is a step by step process but we were believing that home would be the most comfortable and familiar place for mom or anyone for that matter, to go home on Christmas and recuperate at home. Will Mom make it home for Christmas? That was the question we all pondered with.
Each day, mom was monitered very closely by her physician and nurse. Even though her body was generally stable, she had to prove that she could do well independently without the following - epidural pain injector, urine catheter, IV fluids, chest monitor. She spent the initial 2 days in the ICU and was feeling very groggy and dizzy. She was then transferred to a regular private room. She made quick progress, especially with her PT. Mom was able to walk up some stairs but had to stop to take a breath. Her PT told her that it was natural since she went through such a major surgery. And, mom told me that evening that she was unaware that the surgery was a MAJOR one. She sort of came to the conclusion that what you don't know won't hurt you. And, she was glad she stayed in tune with the idea of getting through what she had to go through and not making a judgment on the whole ordeal.
Quite frankly, she was like a walking Christmas Tree. Wires and tubes were attached to every part of mom's body. Her surgical wound/gash was HUGE, located down the right side of her back with two smaller incisions on her right side. She was careful not to 'disturb' them because they were still raw and fresh. Dr. Lapunzina, her surgeon, checked and visited mom daily and was really exceptional! Even his assistant and staff commented on Dr. L's 'greatness' and we totally agree! And, Dr. Yu's, mom's primary physician called her and wanted to know how she was doing. Thank you for all the well wishes. There were so many phone calls and well wishes for mom, that it became a little overwhelming. We apologize if we couldn't return any phone calls immediately. It was rather hectic for our family especially amidst this holiday season. I didn't get to my own holiday shopping until Christmas Eve this year. Mom had decided to just wait awhile before she returned phone calls. After all, she finally realized she did went through a MAJOR surgery.
On Christmas Eve evening, we all planned a gathering at the hospital as a family. 10th aunt, who is very much part of our family, made fish, mom's favorite. We all hung out in mom's room, chatting and sharing, and my nieces - Amanda and Megan made some 'get well' cards to their "Popo." And, even Carlin ate some of mom's fish. And, Perri couldn't help but observed all that was happening. Then, my sis Cindy told me to look at mom's chart outside. I must've missed it as I was walking in since I was the last one to join the family that evening. And, on the whiteboard, written down neatly, 'discharged date: 12/25/09'!!! OMG!! Was that actually confirmed or just written down?? We were literally afraid to ask since we wanted it to be true and didn't want to feel disappointed if it wasn't true! Finally, a nurse entered the room and he said, 'Since we took you off the epidural, we'll give you some Vicodin (pain medicine) to take home with you tomorrow.' And, we KNEW that was the confirmation!!! OMG!! We were in joy! We couldnt' believe Mom was actually being discharged on Christmas Day!!! That was great news! That evening, she was cleared of the last tubes and wires attached to her. She was EXCITED!!
I left the hospital pretty late that evening about 9:00pm. I made it a point to 'tuck' mom in every night. Help her get into her bedtime ritual and share good thoughts. There's a saying that we should always go to bed at night with good thoughts and let go of all unresolved or negative things that disturb the mind.
A 5 minute meditation works wonders. After all, there isn't really true chronological time, it is only our thoughts that create our reality no matter the circumstances. So, it is important to say 'Good Night.' On my drive back home, I heard the song "I'll Be Home for Christmas" on the radio and I turned up the volume and sang along. My sister Cindy said, Mom coming home was one of the best Christmas gift we could ever receive. Amen.
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