The Good, The Bad, and The Grateful

The Good --Friday started off really well with Louie putting on real clothes in Occupational Therapy and venturing out of the room.  He looked so handsome!  Also, floor employees came around passing out Bingo cards. Patients were going to be playing Bingo at noon over the intercom.  They asked if we wanted to play--I quickly answered "of course we would!!!" ( Good thing I was there, right?   Louie may not have REALIZED  he wanted to play bingo)  They handed out the daubers at noon and the playing began.  Louie did well the first game needing only 1 number right away.  He didn't win but it really was a nice diversion. What does one win in a hospital bingo game?????  Your hospital stay is free?  Somehow I doubt it, but it was fun nevertheless.
The Bad--Louie had been having fever off and on . Dr. Saggi ordered blood cultures of the lines and a CT scan.  Saturday afternoon we got the news that there was something on the scan and we were moving back to the 9th floor.  We later learned that the scan revealed an abscess in the abdomen by the colon.  After another move, we arrived at 917. Honestly, in our almost 34 years of marriage we have lived in 2 places. That’s it-2!    During this 4 week hospital stay we have been in 6 rooms.  It  helps for keeping the clutter down but truly I think we enjoy a little more stability.
To assist in healing, a drain was placed by Interventional Radiology on Sunday.  We are not going home on Tuesday.  A real disappointment!!!!   Dr Saggi did say that the liver looks great.  Lets hear it for the liver --it seems to have gotten the memo that we want to go home and has not been acting up or causing trouble like some of the other parts of the body.
The Grateful---We have been really down by this recent turn of events.  In reality we know that this visit has not been THAT long and things could be so very much worse, but but we so looked forward to going home Tuesday.  We were on the Rehab floor---the last step before the car door!!  You know, Adios Hermann,  Hello El Campo.  We were out of sorts, praying for healing but not really having a good spirit. Depressed and irritated.  Today, however, I read in one of my books that Jesus says "your praise and thanksgiving are distinctly audible in heaven. Your petitions are also heard but it is your gratitude that clears the way to My heart. Practice praising and thanking Me continually throughout this day."  Hmm…  this is a good idea.  I remember Father Gary speaking once of adopting an "attitude of gratitude", choosing 10 things a day and thanking God for them.  Anyway to make a long story short (oops, it's too late for that) today we only want to speak of the many wonderful things we have to be grateful for.  The success of the surgery,  the possibility of Louie eating normally again,  Dr. Saggi. Dr. Hall, etc.  It will take us all day,  but I can't think of a better way to spend it.  Have a Happy 4th of July!!!
With gratitude to each of you---Ruthie