Losing Liquid Lunch

I woke at 5:30am just as my body’s trained to do. However, given the situation, I was able to roll over and go right back to sleep. That felt terrific! I slept until just before 7:30am and woke feeling fully ready to get my day underway. I was very pleased to see clear skies and dappled sunlight shining in through windows. Like any other day, I made coffee and began my exercise routine. I slipped out with Ykraps around 7:50am. We walked towards the west, Ykraps’ choice. As we approached the corner I caught a glimpse of Jimaken’s car. It dawned on me that he was waiting at the bus stop with Jacoby. I felt a little awkward as we walked up and by the car. Jacob hid his face in his fleece jacket. Jim lowered the passenger window as I approached. I shared that Mindy’s surgery was as success. After a short conversation Ykraps and I moved on. By the time we were making our way back, the bus pulled up and Jacob exited his father’s car and boarded the bus. I cut diagonally across the street to chat with Pat. In the meantime, Jimaken waved as he pulled away and headed off to work. Pat smiled and told me what Jacob uttered to him just before getting on the bus. He told Pat how awkward he felt with his dad and me both there at the same time. He’s a deep thinker for being only eight. Back at home, I took my time enjoying coffee and internet. I decided that I would hot tub before running hoping to loosen my hamstring as much as possible ahead of time. After all, I haven’t given that a try yet. Somewhere along the line I talked with Mindy. I told her that I would be up a bit later. She was fine with that. She was still heavily sedated and spending the lion’s share of her time sleeping. My dad showed up at the front door somewhere near 8:45am. I topped off his coffee and we chatted for about 30 minutes. He was mostly concerned with how Mindy’s surgery went. He left and I got in the hot tub. I had already removed the cover and added chemicals just before Dad knocked on the door. I hot tubbed for about 20 minutes spending most of the time aiming the powerful therapy jet on my bum hamstring and ass. After drying off I changed directly into my running clothes. I was eager to complete my run. It was lovely out – sunny & about 50 degrees. Surprisingly, my run was a struggle. Despite the hot tubbing, my ass stiffened up as much as it has in two weeks. I was very disheartened. I should also mention that I purposely didn’t take the usual Advil when I got up. I was trying desperately to wean myself free of them. So, it’s probably no coincidence that my butt ached so much. Note to self. I went ahead and took 3 Advil when I got back. Mindy called not five minutes after I returned. She wanted to know my plans. I shared my plans which included driving up to Performance Bikes to pick-up our two bikes and then head to the hospital. I also expressed the desire to leave the hospital with enough time to return home and plant some flowers this afternoon/evening. Mindy suggested that I stay home long enough to complete my planting yet this morning citing her desire for me to stay later. That was more than fine with me, and would likely work out better anyhow. Currently, it was sunny and warm, but the forecast still called for afternoon rain showers. After talking with Mindy I changed into yard work attire and began some planting. I planted two new Pampas grasses in the old weeping willow bed. They’re the kind that grow to be 8-10’ tall. Next, I planted Mindy’s new Endless Summer Hydrangea along the western edge of our lower deck tier. I had to dig up an old Maiden grass plant that hasn’t done well there. All totaled, I have had three of them in that very spot and they each faded after about three years. Not sure why. Anyways, after placing the Hydrangea there, I moved what was left of the Maiden grass to the willow bed as well. Short of adding new beds, I have very few, if any open places for new landscape specimens. It was a struggled finding room for the Hydrangea. I won’t just stick something somewhere. It’s got to look as if it belongs – add symmetry. Next, I planted more Wave Petunias, only this time in the back beds. I placed six on each side. They’ll fill in real nice, just like last summer. I still will be adding clusters of geraniums amongst them as well, but that’ll be later. I watered everything in really well before heading in. No sense planting if you’re not gonna take care of ‘em. I was tired and ready for a shower. I called Mindy to keep her posted of my progress. She was fine. After a quick shower, I topped off the mower and walked it over to neighbor Pat’s. His mower bit the dust and I offered the use of mine while his is being repaired. Afterwards, I gathered my hospital man purse and headed towards Progressive Bikes at Sawmill & Snouffer Rd. Too, I folded both rear seats down to make room for both bikes. It didn’t take long to get there and get ’em loaded. They look great! While there, I had a sales associate go over bike rack options with me. I left with quite a bit more knowledge about what I will need when I am ready to make that purchase. After all, we’ll have to get a bike rack if we’re going to get good use out of the bikes. I took the scenic route from Progressive Bikes to Riverside Hospital. I took Snouffer to Linworth to Rt 161. I then took 161 to 315S to North Broadway. Nice drive! I arrived within 5 minutes of my predicted 2pm arrival. Not bad. After greeting Mindy I immediately logged into work. She went on a mandatory walk down the hall with one of the nurses. She wasn’t back long when I excused myself to go fetch a bite to eat. I went to the cafeteria and again ordered a burger. Only this time I ordered a Cuban burger along with some homemade potato chips. Mindy’s room mate was just preparing to leave when I returned with my food. Suddenly, Mindy wasn’t doing so well. She was in a lot of pain. They were wrestling her up more morphine. Once again, I excused myself and took my food down to the 4th floor waiting room just a few paces down the hall. There I could relax and eat in comfort. After finishing my lunch I returned to a sleeping Mindy. The doctor stopped in and said that for Mindy to be released, she’d have to pee on her own, pass gas, and walk. She’d done two of the three, but she was still unable to pee. He doubted she’d be going home today. We aimed for Friday, which was the original plan anyhow. Around 4pm or so, Jodie, Larry, Gloria, and Bella stopped in for a visit. Bella looked a little apprehensive. But who could blame her? Hospitals have a knack for causing folks to feel that way, especially small children. Mindy got a liquid dinner while everyone was there. She was served broth, Jello, and lemon ice. She made quick work of most of it. But suddenly, Mindy didn’t look so hot. She began to exhibit the tell-tale signs of someone about to throw-up. We all looked for something large enough to hand her. She grabbed a small plastic banana split tray and heaved her liquid guts into it. Larry quickly alerted a nurse while I stayed by Mindy’s side. When they came in they asked all of us moved to the hallway. They brought clean clothes and bedding and quickly took care of the mess. Bella was shaken. To help calm her, a nurse gave her a popsicle. That took her mind off of Mindy’s mishap. The visit continued until 6:00pm. Later, my friend and co-worker Bill Gray showed up for a visit. Mindy’s principal, Jane showed up at roughly the same time. Neither stayed too long. I think Jane left first. I stayed until 8pm. By then, Mindy was ready to call it a night. She was exhausted and was back on the morphine drip. She got a new roomy that evening too. Her name was Leiyah S., a lovely Asian woman. At that point we knew little more than that about her. I left for home hoping to get there with enough time to take my new bike for a quick spin. But as luck would have it, it began raining just as I hit the home stretch on I-670west. And it rained even harder as I approached home. Crap! There wouldn’t be a bike ride that evening. Despite the rain, I still had to walk Ykraps. I leashed him up and headed out into the rain. Through the evening the rain came down in intervals. It would rain for while, stop, and then start again. I sipped two Jack & Cokes all the while doing some writing. I stayed up past 11pm. Look at me!