Release!

Given the track record the hospital's had the last few days in terms of attentiveness and things being done on time (aside from the surgery which was handled impeccably), I didn't expect Mom to be released from the hospital before noontime. During the hours post-surgery and all of yesterday, it made me feel better to sit with Mom, even if it meant we weren't filling the hours with chatting (we did plenty of that, but 10-hour shifts of sitting with someone eventually leaves you with not much to talk about).

After a semi-healthy meal with Dad at Ruby Tuesday last night (yet, still followed by dessert...), I decided I needed to move this morning. I had taken Maggie for a walk last night - a short one, at that, only about 25 minutes with lots of stopping to sniff things in between - and going from a 6-day a week workout schedule and overall healthy diet to not moving much and eating ice cream with virtually every meal, I thought another walk this morning would be well-received by my immobile body.

Luckily, this morning was absolutely beautiful and I was inspired to eat a nice, healthy breakfast then get myself over to the hospital by about 9:30am. Mom had put in her request last night that her curling iron be brought to the hospital today. Still, I had no expectation of a short day at the hospital when I arrived this morning.

Surprisingly, I found Mom up on her feet. She mentioned that she had gotten washed up and wanted to get into her own clothes (rather than the sexy hospital gowns), curl her hair, and then we could go.

Things went quickly from there. Once Mom was ready, the nurses brought the discharge paperwork and we were off! I insisted on dropping Mom off before running errands given I didn't know how much time or effort it was going to take to get her in the house. "I can take the stairs", Mom said. And did she! I grew up always holding onto my grandmothers as they went up or down stairs. My Mom was practically skipping up the stairs!

It's glaringly obvious that the two things she needs to avoid are 1.) bending over in a sudden movement (I don't like her bending over at all, since it increases the pressure in the abdomen) and 2.) heavy lifting.

The first priority was a full shower, complete with washing her hair (she hadn't gotten to wash her hair at the hospital). Then she put on one of the pretty nightgowns we bought for the occasion and got into bed for an attempted nap. I say "attempted" because it turned into her asking me "How do you feel?" "How do I feel? I didn't just have surgery!"

A short while later, after we both got a little rest (I like this whole napping-when-Mom-naps thing!), we ate lunch. Thank gosh Mom eats nothing but vegetables, protein, and brown rice for lunch! I finally didn't chase my veggies with chocolate (I can not take feeling gross when I eat too much junk food on consecutive days).

A few notes on my running around today: 1.) The nurse gave Mom a prescription for Vicodin. "I don't want it," Mom told her. "Well, take it, if you're having pain, have it filled." I could've totally pirated Mom's morphine supply, percocet, and vicodin to pay for my gas on the way back to Georgia. Darn it. Either that, or I would've been the most popular person at an upcoming party...not that I make a habit of hanging out with college kids...

2.) I apparently have to make myself presentable to go to grocery stores around here. This is a bummer since I can look like a slob in my country town and no one cares. Here, all I do is run into ex-boyfriends and former co-workers. Sheesh!

3.) I want to bring Giant to Atlanta. It's Whole Foods without the INSANE prices!!! I'm filling my car with granola before heading back in a week and a half.

Now I get to play with what I want to make for dinner every night! Up first: I'm cooking Salmon in parchment with lemon slices, black olives, shallots, and fresh parsley; on the side: brown rice (for Dad and I; I didn't eat any today with Mom at lunch) and roasted veggies. I plan on a post-dinner walk/run if it's cool enough or at the very least, some chasing of Maggie around the backyard. Cheers to the patient!