Our Post-transplant Journey: Christmas with the Carvers and Our Kids

24-26Dec

The Treadmill Room is closed for the holidays, so Carman has been given a homework card and has agreed to go to the gym in our building. He did emphasize to our PT that he doesn’t make it a practice to go there because of the two (2) flights of stairs. Its not so much that one has to descend to get to the gym (which, I might add is very well equipped and not very busy) as it is the thought of climbing back up the two (2) flights of stairs after having completed a workout - that is what exhausts him.

I say nothing. Absolutely nothing, as he tells our PT that yes, he has weights at home (bet he doesn’t remember where they are) and will follow the reduced program she outlines on the card (yeah, that baby will get filed with the last homework card they gave him, its still as blank as the day he brought it home).

What we must understand here is that Carman feels short of breath and tired.

All the time.

Without exception.

Even when he does nothing.

So the thought of doing a physio program at home is daunting - he knows he’ll just feel even more short of breath and more tired and will cough more...none of those things are very motivating to say the least. He has the best of intentions...

25Dec

First thing Christmas morning, Carla & Roger arrive for breakfast. They're away from home, we're away from home, so we decide to be away from home together!

Carman, Me, Carla & Roger...Ho, ho, ho!

Jess is in hospital, so we decide to Skype so she could join us for conversation before we ate. She is happy to see us, has already Skyped with family back east to watch some gift exchanges and is anxious to see us later today.

When we break off to have our breakfast she gets a little cheeky...

Teddy arrives, having brought Dj after her night shift last night (he did allow her a nap before they headed out). They have come for Christmas and to stay until Saturday so we’re very happy to see them arrive safely. We have spent the day quietly, Carman slept in and once he was up, fed and safely settled in his chair with extra oxygen at the ready, I headed over to TGH for a visit with Jess, Carla & Roger.

She ain't goin' nowhere without me!

26Dec

Boxing Day for many others is the arrival of Christmas for us. Matt flies in just after lunch, Kyle, Jennifer & Max arrive later in the afternoon and the clan is all here! Our little condo is crowded, a pile of parcels is propped up around the miniature tree I’ve decorated and the ham is warming in the oven. We spend a lovely afternoon together, visiting, munching on snacks courtesy of Jennifer & Max and exchanging gifts. This made Christmas extra special for Carman, we haven't all been together like this for a few years!

Matt, Kyle & Max - share a Christmas Toast!

unWrap-sidue

Kyle sports his Tartless Chain
compliments of my sister, Penny

Later we dig in for our little feast of ham, potato scallop, veggies, some of Max’s wine and a yummy carrot cake that Dj made for us.

Max's Beet Salad (hidden) scalloped potatoes, green beans, carrots, turnip, ham

Carrot Cake by Dj

The best part for me - Matt & Max took care of clean-up (including deboning all the meat and freezing the bone for use later) - thanks guys! And thank you both so much, for be with us when you could have been with your own parents and siblings!