excitement

Annie completely turned around Tuesday and today, she was released from the hospital. My parents and I were able to be with her when we walked out. It was quite an event: Annie had my mom manning the video camera and I had people take pictures. She was so excited to be outside and away from the hospital, and I was excited for her. I started to tear up as well, just knowing that it was all over and all was well.

Earlier today, I had my post-op meeting with my surgeon, Dr. Andrews and his assistant, Howard Asahi. I was in and out in 20 minutes. I met with Howard first and he took a look at my incisions and pulled off two pieces of tape from my puncture wounds. He said the other pieces of tape would be ready for removal in a few days. I think I'll let my mom do that. I just don't think I could make myself do it. Anyway, I had Howard sign Annie's transplant T-shirt (she's been having all of her doctors and nurses sign it) and he was happy to do it. Then a couple minutes later Dr. Andrews came in. He said he didn't have to look at my incision because he trusted Howard. He asked how I was doing on my Vicodin and I told him that I had taken the last one this morning. He said if I needed any more that I could stop by before I left town but I told him that probably wouldn't be necessary. I don't hurt at all right now, besides from uncomfortable bloating. I had him sign the shirt, too. Then when he got up to go I hugged him and, tearfully, told him thank you for his good work (if it weren't for him, I wouldn't be here or feeling this good). He shrugged it off and told me thank you for being so generous. I nearly lost it. God, I'm so weepy! :) Anyway, he left and I gathered up my emotions and walked out of the doctor's office a free woman.

We threw a birthday party for the house coordinator today. She turned 50 and had a yummy cake and ice cream (I indulged a little -- I'm lactose intolerant), and she opened the gifts that we got her. It was so much fun to sit, talk and laugh around the big dining room table with everyone. You really feel like family.

Earlier today during lunch (I'm jumping all over the place), we were at the Mayo Clinic Hospital and talking with Mike, who's originally from Iowa and is staying at the transplant house while his 30ish-year-old son is in ICU after a pancreas transplant (his son's new pancreas is fine, but he's having lots of trouble with nausea). Anyway, I got up to go to the bathroom and I walked out into the atrium near the elevators and I saw a man laying face down with several people laying on top of him. I saw a cane above his head and a spilled soda and I figured he had fallen and possibly having a seizure. When I got out of the bathroom, I saw a couple of police officers on top of him yelling "Don't move sir, don't move! .... or we'll taze you!" Well.... he moved and he got tazed. Who knew I'd see someone hit with a Taser gun at a hospital. After a minute or so they were able to put handcuffs on him and sit him up. It ended up being a very spacey, scruffy 40ish-year-old guy.

Today has been just way too exciting. I'm going to bed!