Monday, June 3, 2013

Home

A year ago, "Home" was a completely different place and now it is a rental in the northern San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles.  It's not even The Maven's "real" home, as she has an apartment she rents in her brother's house in the city, but since she has been here for a few months and has settled in, this was home to her yesterday when she returned from the hospital.

Home is where your kitties are, where the crazy Bostons live and where your mom and dad, brother and sis-in-law are to welcome you back with love and food.  It's where wonderful cards of support from friends, family and strangers (no more) arrive and show you that you are loved and that many are thinking of you.

She's back home.

It wasn't an easy drive back here for someone who is still very dizzy, sore and somewhat disoriented, but we made it back.  Safe and sound.  And our star patient walked from the car to the house under her own steam with my fancy pink cane from my knee injury. (Okay, not the coolest look for a twenty-something, but she used it!)  We are to always be with her when she walks anywhere so Mr. T followed behind her with his hands on her shoulders.  Up three steps, turn, down three steps into the family and collapse on the couch (carefully).  She did great!

  
But it was hard and stressful.  Her brain was tired, her eyes were tired, but neither would let her rest.  We kept everything low-key and quiet (well, for the most part, as quiet as this household gets), Maven's kitties descended upon her and helped her stay calm and centered.  Once the brain gets worked up, it's hard to get it to settle down, but soon it did and she had a good night's sleep, calling me via cell phone (no old bell here - although to be honest I wouldn't have heard it like I did the ring of the phone) a few times during the night.


Today The Maven caught up on the sleep she missed yesterday during her transition from hospital to home and it has made a world of difference.  We have walked in the backyard, sat in the backyard, walked out front, watched TV (couldn't yesterday because of sensory overload) and ate well.


Most importantly we laughed.  We laughed at the sight we made, me the somewhat arthritic 50ish mom leading around my young, healthy daughter with a pink cane. She was able to see the humor in the fact that the right side of her face is having some slackness to it (which is expected and should go away) - "Guess I'll wait and meet that guy for coffee in two weeks, not one". We watched the irritating, but can't-stop-watching-NJ Housewives and laughed. Laughter is important when you are in the midst of a crisis.  When you are young and having to put your life on hold once again. You have to laugh, or you cry.


 You also learn empathy and understanding for what some people live with every day of their lives with such dignity and strength. And laughter, if possible. Or at least moments of happiness.

The Maven is on her way to have many moments of happiness.  She will work hard to get her balance back and her facial muscles under control. She will stay positive and determined. She will do the exercises and thrice daily walks necessary to gain her strength and work on her balance. She will and I will too. And we will both be the better for it.


And we will try to laugh along the way, because in our family laughter is some of the best medicine.

She's home.

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement!

Pictures from St. Vincent's Hospital in the middle of Koreatown in downtown LA. This hospital is one of the oldest in Los Angeles and is Catholic based with many lovely works of art honoring the nuns/nurses, doctors and staff who have worked there over the years.  To illustrate the melting pot nature of the LA area, The Maven's two surgeons were of the Jewish faith, her surgery nurse was Sister Priscilla, one of the few nuns left practicing here and her anesthesiologist, Korean. Staff nurses were Mexican, Filipino, Asian, Caucasian, African American.  People come from all over the world to have the type of surgery that The Maven had done here.  There is an attached extended-stay hotel/residence for out of town patients and their family members. 


 The House Clinic sits across the street, where the modern technique for removal of Acoustic Neuromas was pioneered in the 1960s by Dr. House. How incredible that we ended up in this very place at just the right time. 
Wow.

14 comments:

Chatty Crone said...

Prayers, hugs, and laughs are the best medicine and I know she gets all three there! I am so glad she is home. Safe. With you.
Love, sandie

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

Me too - everything the Chatty Crone said. I can't say it better!
Brenda
P.S. Thos are wonderful photos, Ann!
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Praying for each of you. You are blessed to have such a great relationship - it's what my mom and I had. God bless.

RURAL said...

Thankful that she is home,and recuperating with family, there is no better place.

Heal fast.

Jen

Olive said...

I am thankful The Maven is home with all of you and her cats. I knew she would be fine with all of your support. Prayer answered once again. Glad you realize the healing power of laughter-you are wise. xo, olive

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Sounds like she is on the road to recovery and happy to hear about the laughter. I just watched the irritating but can't stop watching NJ Housewives!!! Love all the pictures you shared. To The Maven: Continue the excellent job you are doing on your way to recovery.

Sue said...

I'm so happy and grateful everything is going well. My hopes are that the Maven will be up & at 'em very soon. I hope you too are relaxing a bit more since the surgery is over!!

Take care,
Sue

Mallyf on Occasion said...

You're words are always encouraging and empowering. Sounds like this move was meant to be. Glad to hear the recovery is going very well.

Patricia @ 9th and Denver said...

A merry heart does good like medicine. Proverbs 17:22

Being around the family, kitties and familiar environment...with smiles and laughter and the confidence and care of a loving mom...has to give the Maven some peace. (and you too.)

Praying for recovery without issue.

Pat

Mr. Connor said...

Quite the hospital ~ very nice. So WE are home with our therapy "cats" helping along with everyone else. All is well and WE are going forward ~ YEAH !

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Oh I'm so glad to hear she's home and feeling better already. She'll get good rest now and get stronger every day! Sending you both lots of hugs and keeping both in my prayers! Sweet hugs!

Decor To Adore said...

What a fun collection of flying nuns! :)

We continue to pray that the Maven has a speedy recovery.

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I am so glad she is recuperating well...you must all need to wind down, relax, and get some much needed rest. And I know her kitties are comforting, too. Sending prayers and good thoughts for a full recovery! XO

Unknown said...

extraordinary people are able to do extraordinary things. an example, wendey and her team that with the help of prayers and hard work are doing a super jobl.