Out of ICU, back at the hotel

After three separate trips to the pharmacy to pick up some pain medication for once he was out of the hospital, we got Dad back to the hotel. He was ultra-tired, even after a long nap in the ICU without being hooked up to any of the monitoring equipment - no beeps or alarms! We cannot say enough about the care he received at St. Mary's Hospital once again. His nurse this morning was so accommodating and so genuinely nice. She truly was one of those "silver linings" in a hard couple of days.

A glimmer of "healthy" Dad as we were loading up the car at the hospital. He wanted to help me put Mom's scooter in the car. Thankfully there was a big, burly hospital worker there who "bounced" him away and put him in the car safely (his job is to ensure safety for patients as they enter or leave the hospital), and then helped me get everyone and everything situated.

Dad came home and immediately hit the bedroom for a long nap. He was pretty confused and not really too with it there for a while, and even after sleeping the whole afternoon, he's still a bit unstable on his feet and not quite sure where he is (although he just answered correctly that we were in Rochester in the same hotel where we were last week - so that's huge progress). A little bit of pain flaring up a the surgical site, so we've dipped into the pain meds a bit.

Tonight's dinner will be by special request - an omelette cooked by yours truly. Breakfast sounds good to him, so that is what we shall have. It also allows us to hang out in the room tonight and not get out and about too soon after getting out of the hospital. He's not super happy with me right now as I strongly "encourage" him to shave, brush his teeth, and get ready for dinner. Tough love.

Hoping we can keep things somewhat calm throughout the night and through tomorrow afternoon. He is going through his phone contacts and calling a few of you - so if you get a call, please read the blog for the most accurate updates. Things are a little fuzzy right now.

More tomorrow after we meet with the neurologist. Time for dinner and a little "American Idol" for us all.