Dinner Plans, A Visit & A Call Cancels Dinner Plans!

13Dec

We’re anticipating the arrival of Dj & Teddy later today. Teddy is such a welcome addition to any day - his antics and begging for constant pats and ear rubs keep us laughing and indulging him.  We’ve also arranged for Jess & Carla to come for dinner and games tonight - however, as what happened when DJ came and Shilpa was planning to have dinner with us...those plans were interrupted by a late night phone call!  

Around midnight, Jess received her second call (first was in Oct) from TGH that they potentially had lungs for her...no news on an OR time yet (which indicates it may happen but isn’t a definitive omen) so it will be a night and day of waiting.

We head out to the Treadmill Room for our physio workout. Carman is feeling especially lonely when the time comes to do his squats...both Buddies are now admitted, Mark on the mend from his transplant surgery and Jessica trying to catch some winks while waiting (having sat in a chair since 2:00 am, experiencing many a poking and prodding for blood work and surgery prep). Fortunately, just before Carman was ready to execute his squats (with a couple of extras thrown in for his Buddies), Dennis came by the Treadmill Room for a visit and to give us an update on how Phyllis’ progress was developing. Reluctant at first, he gallantly picked up a couple of weights and joined Carman - well done Dennis, way to take one for the team!

From Treadmill we headed downstairs to check on Mark - Carman did his threshold visit (Mark is isolated, so we don’t go into his room) with Mark and his daughter Alysha, while I did a coffee run. I then stopped in to see how Jess was doing, and just because that’s how it’s done, I showed her how to recline the chair so she could try to get more comfortable and maybe even have a nap between test interruptions.

 

I made a trip back to the west wing to visit with Mark again, then brought Carman back to check on Jess. By now, the nurse had delivered a pair of very sexy anti-embolism socks (they are a very very tight fit and help to prevent blood clots for patients who are bedridden - a must for all transplant patients). This was a good sign that we were really moving toward a surgery today. Then we were given an OR time - even better - 7pm. We stayed for awhile and then more of our friends came by as they finished their workouts. We headed home, with a promise from Carla that she’d keep us posted as things happened.

Late afternoon Dj and the Teddy arrived and shortly after that our friend Gerry, in town for meetings today, came for a visit. He shared stories of his attempt to build a back yard rink for Blake...from his description, we expect he’ll be adding bleachers and a hot chocolate & hot dogs bunker before winter is over. We were lucky as kids growing up, to have a rink just around the corner. Every winter the city recreation team would flood the tennis courts and then the neighbourhood would show up with shovels to keep it cleared and sticks to pass the foam puck around - we’d come home with our socks almost frozen to our feet, cheeks as red as Rudolp’s nose and a hunger to polish away whatever comfort food Mom had conjured for our supper! Good times, no question!

Early evening and we get the word from Carla - the surgery is a go, they’re taking Jess to the OR! As she is going thru the doors to the OR corridor Carla must bid her a farewell and Jess yells “Remember Mom, I could still wake up with these crusty blowers, it’s not for sure yet!”

Turns out - it was for sure and by the wee hours of the next morning, Jess has a shiny, pink, healthy new set of blowers to boast about!

Oh Happy Day!

Oh yes, by the way...Dj is now taking bookings for dinner plans with each of our Breathless Buddies...