I'm happy to be home.
Our kind and thoughtful friends came over with dinner tonight. They planned to come out to see me in the hospital, good thing they didn't really have to. They brought quite the treat of sushi, tempura, and chicken teriyaki from one of our favorite places! And it was just really nice to see them here at home again. 

Call Nurse Don't Fall

My normal room view. I always think that I want one of those same clocks for the house. I couldn't tell what company or anything. 

It was nice to see the familiar faces of my nurses. I've had one of them several times and actually have some funny memories of my previous stays. They're very sweet and were always checking in on us. The antibiotics were stopped and there's still no sign of what's wrong with me. I just picked up something from somewhere or someone. At least my liver functions were fine, that was good news. 

My view from room 15. I usually have the view of the street or hills. Not the back of the hospital. But I did notice that I was also facing the helipad and the ICU. How strange, I was there once. It was not pleasant. Hardest time I've ever had in the hospital that I never want to re-live. I'm ok being over here even though I'd rather be at home. Hopefully soon.

Welcome to 8 North

After a terrible sleep I'm sure, hubby left for home. There he could get some proper rest, eat something other than hospital cafeteria food, let my mom in, pick up NJ from school, and show her the after school routine with NJ. Alone in the ER all day I did my best not to let negativity set in. That wasn't easy. With all that I packed I thought I had my earphones. I wanted to listen to music and messages. I suppose I could have anyway. With limited connection I tried a couple of phone calls, texts, and emails. But mostly just slept. I was tired, but it was also a good way to let time pass and not think too much. It gets pretty lonely. Hubby came back in time to get the news with me that they had a room for me upstairs, yay! 

He said NJ had a gift for me. A silver star from class today! He hasn't strayed from being on green yet (behavior chart of red, yellow, green). You can also get a silver or gold star. We're so proud and happy he could do well despite what's going on around him. I wish I could have seen him and how happy he was with getting it. It's sweet that he says he got it for me so I'd feel better. He has a good heart. Last night he saw me not feeling well, curled up on the couch in tears. NJ patted my arm, gave me a hug, kissed me on the cheek, gave me another pillow, and prayed for me. He had teary eyes and a sad look on his face. When he walked away I overheard him tell Baba, "Baba, that's why I want to be a doctor so I can help Mama when she's sick." 

Then I was really crying, what a kind and compassionate heart he has. Made my heart melt. 

Finally, I'm in 8 North! I only found out around nine or ten tonight. By the time they transferred me, asked me everything and more that they did in the ER, and set me with my antibiotics, took my vitals,  and all that, it was midnight. I was so tired. Now hubby has a place to sleep in the room, not a chair. As I always say, it kind of feels like home when I'm on the liver floor. Both my nurses recognized me and we talked for a while even though it was late. They were both so nice and helpful. Every time my pump beeped, they'd be in right away to stop it. Thank goodness. Although I've learned to tune it out because I'm so used to it.

Maybe I should have listened to my body and stayed home yesterday. But then again, I'm always tired so sometimes it's hard to tell. All day today I felt achey and miserable. It was hard to get out of bed or off from laying on the couch. As the day went on I felt worse until I got chills and realized after taking a temperature that I had a fever. I should have known, I always want to tough it out, try to just ride out the pain. But it always gets worse not better. Once I started feeling worse I knew it was a matter of time before I'd be headed to the ER. We called the coordinator on call so the hospital could be prepared for me. I felt even worse by the time I got there and thank goodness for hubby who knows me better than I know myself (and loves and cares for me better too). At least this time I got my own room. Last time I was in the ER for nearly three days with someone just a curtain away from me. I finally got to rest after two IV's, fourteen vials of blood drawn, lots of fluids, and some strong antibiotics. I was exhausted, but poor hubby was confined to a small chair that was barely padded again. I got to have my last meal at home with NJ and Ah-ma was nice enough to come stay the night last minute and bring him to school the next day. 

While NJ did homework, I did a lot of chopping. It's my week to bring something to book group and I thought healthy and chilled would be good. Some whole wheat couscous with a few fresh chopped veggies and seasoned. And some quinoa tabouleh with a recipe from a friend (thank you, Phebe). I hope they like it, but I'm just happy to finally be joining them again. I've already missed the first two weeks and first two chapters. I don't like having to miss, especially when it's out of my control. I'm feeling pretty tired, but I can't let that stop me, I'm going!

"Ah! That made me stress-ed!"

NJ used some lined, hole punched paper to do a spirograph design for his friend. He was already writing a letter to her when I asked him what he was doing this morning. I was impressed that he wrote all of it himself and only asked me to help him with the spelling of one word. He really must've enjoyed himself with his friend last night to make her something right away. He's been writing "I love you" to girls since he knew how to write letters, but this is the closest to a love letter so far. His note says: "Kira, I am so happy that I got to lay in your room. That I made a picture for you."

Baba joked about how cute this was and what he wrote all morning. We were trying not to laugh too much so that he wouldn't think we were making fun of him, but it was too funny and cute. He even asked Baba about the paper, "Baba, what is this? Why are there holes?"

When he was done with his little picture and note, he handed it to us to see and let out a huge exhale saying, "Ah! That made me stress-ed!"

Why? "Because I really wanted to finish that so I could give it to Kira." 

Hmm, he's nervous too? 

Later we found out that her name was spelled wrong. He was close, though. He was so excited to give her the note. She gave him a huge hug. And later a big running, charging, knocking him on the floor hug! Finally, he has met his match. Ha, ha. 

After church, he kept himself busy with Legos...

Word searches and mazes...

Cleaning the bathroom...

And playing some Guess Who with Baba.