The Final Doctors Release

Paul saw the cardiac surgeon Thursday and got released. The doctor was pleased with Paul's progress and said "go out and live life, use that heart".

We have been very busy seeing doctors and getting his medications finalized. We have been driving around town trying to get other errands done between doctor appointments.

Our next event was last night when we attended "Savior of the World" at the Henderson Pavilion. It was a very touching musical about the birth and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was performed by local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was fantastic, I wish everyone could have seen it but tonight is the last performance.

Next on the list is that I'm going Thursday to see the Jersey Boys with our friend Rosalynd Munson. I've been wanting to see them since Susan Wise told me about them. (Paul hasn't wanted to see them so I had to find a friend to go with me.)

Then on Friday night, Paul and I are taking his sister Arla to see Phantom of the Opera. We have orchestra seats and it should be pretty exciting when the chandelier drops. It's too bad we've been here for 7 months and haven't been anywhere but poor Paul just hasn't been up to much. I'm so happy to have a healthier, stronger Paul back in my life.

We are making plans to leave Las Vegas on May 5th and head to Los Angeles before we go to Paradise for my dad's 80th birthday party. I've been richly blessed to have my dad around so long and to have him healthy and happily married. (Boy, what more could a daughter wish for her father?)

I've so enjoyed the time I've spent at the Wooly Wonders yarn shop in Las Vegas. The owner and other employees have been very helpful and friendly. I've also enjoyed the friendship of many women knitters (and crocheters) three times a week (in "knit meet-ups" and "open knit" on Saturdays). I couldn't have hand picked nicer people to keep me company for these many months. I'm going to miss all of them and they don't know what a difference they have made in my life. I can't thank them enough, I can only hope to "pay it forward".

Soon it will be "Goodbye Las Vegas" and "Look out Alaska, here we come!"

Men in Skirts (Kilts)

Paul was feeling good enough to spend a few hours watching the Scottish Highland Games today. We invited a good friend to go with us and the three of us watched men throw hammers, children's dance competition, a Celtic Band, and the world champion pipes and drums band. We looked at lots of Scottish gear and souvenirs. We even found that to have a kilt made would cost $700+. Paul decided he didn't want to wear a kilt.

There was a t-shirt that read "many have been kilt for calling it a skirt", I thought that was a cute one.

We finished our Scottish day off with a Thai lunch, only in America!

This picture is of the world champion bagpipe band, what an awesome experience.

H A L L E L U J A H

PAUL GOT OUT OF THE REHAB HOSPITAL TODAY!!!

When I got to the hospital to pick up Paul for the accountant's appointment he said the doctor was releasing him. We went ahead and filed the taxes and headed back to the hospital. He talked to the physical therapist, nurse, doctor and got his pic line removed while I packed his belongings.

(Paul will still see 3 doctors for follow-up and he has 2 weeks of physical therapy following Thursday's PT evaluation.)

Woo-Hoo, it didn't take us long to head home, what a relief. Don't expect to see us around much, I think we're going to stay home and get re-acquainted, lol.

False Alarm

No such luck. The doctor said that he was "keeping Paul's butt right there" in the rehab hospital until he was sure that the white blood count was stable. They have had trouble with Paul's white blood count since the bypass surgery and they don't want to take any chances now. What's one more day or two?

Paul and I are being patient because neither one of us wants him back in the hospital, EVER!!! I'm keeping busy knitting and visiting with my new friends at the yarn shop.

Murmurings

I hear speculations that Paul might be out Easter Sunday!

I think his last dose of IV medications is the Saturday morning and they should send him 'home' to me right away. Like I said, it's only talk but at least it is getting closer.

His favorite nurse left after her last shift last night for the operating room at University Medical Center Hospital. I'm glad Paul will be out soon since we'll both miss her.

Aside...

Here is our funny cat Tucson.

She fell out of the window onto the sofa a few minutes later, lol

I took her to visit Paul again in the rehab hospital, he likes her and vise-versa.

Paul's improving

Paul's still in the rehab hospital. He is improving everyday. He is nearing the end of his antibiotics too. They took more blood to test for bugs and update his antibiotic plan.

On Friday I took Tucson to the vet for a check-up and update her shots. The rehab hospital let her come to visit Paul. She seemed happy to see him as she lie down next to him on his bed. I'll probably take her again this week.

Paul has a busy schedule with all the meds and physical therapy. He has worked out a couple dates with me to see videos. I bought him 007-Quantum of Solace and Australia (which we both enjoyed and shared with a couple other patients).

The doctor came in today and they're trying to decide when would be best for Paul to be released. He said Paul would probably know when he was ready to go home. Life is good and getting better and we have been continually blessed. I don't even have anything to ask for in my prayers, they have been provided before I need it.

Yippee, he's in rehab!!!

Well, he's finally well enough to move to the rehab. He's just 2 blocks from the hospital but what an improvement. He's up walking around and visiting with his roommate and visitors. He's even feeling well enough to tease the nurses and give them a hard time.

It's a nicer place than the hospital. He has a valance on the window which makes it look homier. The kitchen makes better tasting food. And, if he doesn't like the scrambled eggs, they'll make them another way. Wow, have you ever heard of that?

Paul's roommate is the same age and they have a lot in common. Today Paul didn't even take a nap he just visited, walked and talked. He's tired tonight but it's a "good tired".