Happy Sunday

Mom moved to a private room yesterday and Dad stayed with her last evening. Finally, a night with more than "140-ten minute naps" like in ICU, but still had nurses in and out all evening keeping an eye on her. Mom is more mobile now as you can see, and we are taking mini-strolls to help regain her strength. She still has the external pacemaker for now, and is getting blood thinners, etc. but is really doing well. The only issue for now is working on reducing some excess fluid, and keeping a nice, steady heart rate. I know I keep raving about Cleveland Clinic, but it is so unbelievable. Imagine a six floor cardio-thoracic hospital with 24 ICU's. Each floor is dedicated to a particular specialty, and has four ICU's dedicated for that after-care. It made me wonder, where do you go if you have plastic surgery , slip on a banana and have to go to orthopedic and have a heart attack once you see your bill ? It's interesting when you have someone in the hospital for a while, how you form bonds with other patients, their families, and the staff. You find new friends as we have ("Hi, Dave & Sue" from Pennsylvania) and also have a circle of on-site support for each other. While waiting on our shuttle to the hotel last night, I found myself speaking with a woman around Mom's age who was waiting on a ride also. We had absolutely nothing in common. Literally- not one thing. And yet, I had a sense that she needed to talk, share with someone who didn't really know her. So, much like in the Forrest Gump movie, I sat on the bench with her while we waited and just listened. She has so many health issues herself and her husband of 53 years had just had a massive stroke. We are so blessed I was thinking to myself. I asked her if we could pray together..When her ride came, she thanked me for listening and shared that she had been very depressed when she first sat down and that I had really boosted her spirits; though to be honest I didn't do much talking. Hard to believe, I know. As the doors parted for her to step out into the chilly evening air where her grandaughter waited, she turned and said,"By the way, my name is Shirley and this is my granddaughter, Valerie. I hope your mom gets well soon". OK, GOD. I get it! You see, Mom's name is Shirley Lola Valerie ... do you feel the goosebumps now like I did?
Love to all,
Cheryl