WHERE I HAVE BEEN (Part 4)

 Hello, friends.  I'm back to finish up my story.  I don't have much power left, so hopefully I can do this.

Every day (except weekends) I went to Physical Therapy.  I worked really hard on everything they gave me because I wanted to get out of there.  In a few days I was walking with a walker even though I was still dizzy.  One day I asked them to give me a cane which the therapist did.  I couldn't do it.  I said I was glad I had tried even though I wasn't ready.  The therapist said he knew I wasn't ready but wanted me to try for myself.  I knew it would be just a few weeks until I would be able to do it.  (It actually took me another 6 weeks, but I can do it now.)  They had me learn to go to the bathroom by myself, brush my teeth, pour myself a cup of water, wash my hands and face by myself, put things into and take things out of a microwave, walk with a walker and finally to climb up and down stairs.  They taught me how to get into and out of a bed, use the bathtub, and get into and out of a car without falling.  As bad as the place was, the therapists were that good.

Finally the day before Easter I was released.  The doctor that came to sign the paperwork said I was very determined and he had never seen anyone work as hard as I had.  He was right.  I was determined.  I had cried myself to sleep every night I was there.

Joe came to get me and a nurse (a nice one that I really liked) wheeled me down to the driveway.  It had been three weeks since I had been outside.  The fresh air felt so good!  I got into the car (a little clumsy I will admit) and Joe started for home.  I was so HAPPY! I will admit that the motion of the car increased my dizziness and I spent a great deal of the ride with my hands over my eyes.

Joe had to use a wheelchair to get me to the house and then I used the stair lift to get to the front door.  It was a bit hard to get into the house, through the enclosed porch and up the step and through the doorway to the living room.  But I did it.  I sat down on the sofa and thought about how good it was to be home.  How blessed I was to have a home to come to.  I thought about Edwina (my roommate) having to live there permanently and never having a chance to have a homecoming.  How truly good God was to me.

Joe took care of me for weeks, cooking all the meals and serving them to me.  Bathing me.  Getting me to the bathroom.  Helping me change my clothes.  He is a gem of a husband.

So that is the story of where I've been.  Hopefully I will soon be giving you better stories.  Thank you all for being my friends.  I cherish each of you.

Kathy