Our Post-transplant Journey: Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

31Dec

The end of December...the end of another year. A time traditionally devoted to reflection and making idle promises to oneself (aka resolutions). Promises with a shelf-life shorter than unpasteurized milk (if you don’t believe me, just check out your local gym around January 21st...nothing but tumbleweed Baby!).

We resolve to make a New Year’s Party to remember, with Jessica, Brad, Kristy & Derek in the Family & Meeting Room at the hospital. There will be snacks, games, photos and fun!

I put on a pot of chili and gather up some games, glow bracelets and treats to take with us. After conferring with Brad on what other items we made need, he plans to pick up some sodas and veggies and we should be well set. We swing by to pick him up just after 6pm and are excited to get the party started!

After carting our supplies up to the floor, we Virox the tables, plug the chili back in and get everything set up. One of the nurses pops her head in the door to make sure we’re alright (ok, she’s checking on Jess). “Smells good in here” was her parting comment.

We decide to start with a game of Dominoes and are on our third round when we see a familiar face at the window. Adena was walking by and spotted us and now has her nose pressed to the pane peering in! We wave her into the room and get an update on how she and James are doing (he has been in hospital since Christmas Day). He might be up for a visit so she heads to his room to see if that could happen.

A short while later they arrive - Adena pushing the Rollator with James seated and pushing his IV pole. In-house transportation methods abound here - and we are all very inventive when there is equipment to tow along! They settle in at the end of the table opposite Jess and we enjoy an hour or so of their company while we continue the game and James tries to eat. It feels like a real party in here!

Adena and James make their way back to his room for some rest and we decide it’s time to break into the chili pot. Large styrofoam cups serve for bowls and we toss in chunks of cheddar from the cheese tray that Brad brought, add a side of veggies, some rye bread and we have a tasty feast on the go.

Then...Jess spies the bag of Cheesies!...and wait - “What flavour are those chips?” she asks. So we get her some of each to go along with her chili. A little later the chili pot has dwindled to a serving or two, the veggie tray is almost empty and we are ready for more games. Before we start Jess wants to return to her room for a minute to get meds and check fluid levels (the nurse has been in twice). I get up to hold the door open for her and on the way by me she says “Oh man, I’m so full, that was delicious...oh hey!” she stops and exclaims...“Is that another veggie tray for us?”

We look at each other and both burst our laughing so hard, we’re doubled over - this woman has become an eating machine (thanks to new blowers and some heavy meds)! the guys don’t know what has transpired and are a bit concerned until they realize the tears are from laughing, not pain. Here is little miss I’m so full I’m going to burst, eyeing up more food! One of the nurses notices Jess halfway in/out the door doubled over and comes running. It’s all I can do to tell her we’re ok, just laughing, at which point she smiles and says “Oh, that’s a good thing!”

Derek & Kristy arrive around 8 and more games and fun ensue, along with lots of camera flashing, all we hear for the next while is - Will you take one of the 2 of us? Now of the 4 of us? Now let me take one of the 2 of you; now the 4 of you...Can you take one of all of us with your timer? It’s a free for all, and lots of fun!

Carman, Derek, Brad, Kristy, Me & Jess
Looking our best!

Derek, Kristy, Carman & Me

A midnight we do some fist pumping, knuckle bumping, hip checking and lots of hugs! Please note that the same thing was happening at the Nurse’s station :o)

Welcome 2013...just so you know, we’re going to kick butt this year!