I am back in Maine!

I flew back to Maine last week as Tom is rehabbing at HealthSouth in Panama City. I flew into Portland and was thrilled to see Paul AND Sophie waiting for me in the airport terminal. Even though it had been three months, Sophie still remembered me. She was so excited to see me she kept running through my legs. It is so good to be back!

Paul and I ran the 1st Patriot 5K in Gray last Saturday. I ran it in 39.14, not real good but not bad either. I was 6th in my age bracket. Paul was 4th in his age bracket.

I have been walking and running with Sophie. She does very well on a loose lead now. I've been taking Sophie everywhere with me......

The reason I have Stitch on my post (from Lilo and Stitch) is because I ran by a truck every day in Florida with Stitch on his back window. It always put a smile on my face. Stitch is such a happy little guy.

On June 3rd I am running in the All Women's Twilight 5K in South Portland. I have raised
almost $500 for the Maine Cancer Foundation, the sponsor of the run.

My newest Dancing Bear tattoo is going to be recolored on June 8th. Ryan at Sanctuary Tattoo does a fantastic job on Grateful Dead tattoos. He used to work at a tattoo parlor named Shakedown Street. I get more comments about my tattoo. Paul surprised me with two Dancing Bears on his upper arm with our initials under them. Guess he can't get rid of me now.....LOL.

Tom is doing well at HealthSouth. He is walking over 115 feet with his walker. I'm returning to Florida on June 9th, having family training on the 10th and Tom will be discharged on the 11th. We will be flying back to Birmingham for a follow up with Dr. Akins as soon as I can get an appointment for him.

Got to run. We are watching the Celtics overwhelm the Magic!

We are home!!!!!

After an extended stay at UAB, Tom is back in Panama City (at HealthSouth). We had a 6 hour drive back from Birmingham. Tom did fantastic. We arrived at the rehab at 8PM and Tom was ready for bed, but managed to eat some Frosted Mini Wheats and vanilla ice cream. He is never too tired for ice cream!

I am flying to Maine for a couple of weeks while Tom is in rehab. I spoke with Dan tonight and told him to make sure Paul brings Sophie when he picks me up.

I'll return to Florida when Tom comes home. Hopefully, he will come to Maine for a stay with the Tracy's. He won't be able to return to work for at least two months so he can enjoy a Maine summer with us. The Hombre has said they will welcome him back when he is ready. It really is his more than a job for Tom. It is a social circle for him.

We are very happy to be back in PC. It has been a long haul.......

16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham

Great news! Tom is being transferred to HealthSouth in Panama City tomorrow. He will be leaving UAB at 9AM by ambulance. Brenda and I will be driving back to meet him at HealthSouth. I could be flying home to Maine as Thursday evening.

I spent the morning at the Civil Rights Institute across from the 16th Street Baptist Church, which was the scene of the bombing in the 60s that killed four young girls. The last of the bombers was just convicted, which is unbelievable. There is so much civil rights history in this city that I wanted to see it first hand. It was amazing.

I went for my last run in Birmingham, through Five Points and down University Blvd. This is a great town to run in; lots of hills and valleys. The only downside is that a different road is shut down every day, it seems.

Tonight I am going to the hospital cafeteria and using my coupon for my blood donation for pie slices for all of us. Sort of a celebration for how far Tom has come. All he wants is Snickers. LOL.

My cousin and me

This is one of my new Birmingham friends, Chris McCann. He could very well be a long lost cousin, as my mother's maiden name is McCann. He is the evening manager at McAlister's Deli next door to our Hotel. He is awesome. Always upbeat.

I went to Mass today at the Cathedral of St Paul again. It was another high Mass and this time the priest was an Indian (from India). Once again I had to really, really pay attention to the homily; it was about us being like a boomerang.......

Tom moved to a regular room today and had his first real food in two weeks. Pork chops, apple sauce, sweet potatoes (his favorite) and collard greens (not his favorite-LOL). He was weighed and is 193.8 lbs down from 206 lbs pre-surgery. The nurses let him sleep today because tomorrow he is beginning rehab. He is so happy to be in a room where the lights can be turned off and doors closed. His room is actually a suite with a microwave, refrigerator and a fold out couch. Brenda and I aren't going to stay overnight though.....he needs his rest without us there.

Sweet Little Sophie

Tom is doing fantastic. He doesn't have the mask on anymore and can talk again. Unfortunately, we still can't understand him but it is getting better. He ate some ice chunks and held it down OK. He may be going into a regular room tomorrow.....

I love this picture of Sadie and Sophie. It was taken last August at the Crocketts just after we got Sophie. Sadie and Sophie are both Irish Water Spaniels and Sadie is the reason we settled on this breed. Sue and Scott are Sadie's parents. Sue was the one who located the breeder in New Hampshire for us. Sadie tolerates Sophie but sometimes she "shows her teeth" to Sophie. But Sophie could care less and just carries on her irritating puppy antics.......such is life.

New Day, New Nails

Tom is doing well. He does have MRSR but the nurse and his doctor are already treating it and expect good results. He is not happy about the oxygen mask he has to wear but I told him that he needs to keep taking deep breaths in order to strengthen his lungs. He understands this and accommodated me while I was visiting. He hates being laid up so I give him pep talks as he is doing very well.
Brenda went into the local Penske office and checked her emails today.
I went to a nail salon and had a manicure/pedicure. Unfortunately, I have ruined two nails already. For someone who chewed her nails until the age of 50, I have done pretty well. I decided to go wild and get yellow nail polish today.

Mass at St Paul's Cathedral in Birmingham

I went to a high Holy Mass at St Paul's Cathedral in Birmingham. It was an impressive Mass that included a baptism and a blessing of all the mothers present (after all, it is Mother's Day). After Mass, I asked the priest if he knew where I could purchase a rosary (because I have had to use my fingers so say it) and he pulled his rosary out of his pocket and gave it to me, asking only that I think of him when I say it......Wow!

Tom was breathing on his own today but they still have the tube in in case he gets tired. He probably will be put back on for the night and taken off completely tomorrow. He is in better spirits today but I understand his depression as he is so independent and hates to be this way. It is hard for Brenda and I to see him like this but it is only temporary and once they start removing tubes, it will go fast. Before we know it, he will be back in his room and getting ready to return to Panama City......

Tom's Surgery

Tom had surgery yesterday and it went well. He is currently in CICU with a semi-private nurse. He had a bleeding problem that necessitated several transfusions but he is one tough bird and came through it well. His incision isn't as bad a my father's triple by-pass scar. Tom still hasn't woken up but his vitals are stable and he still has the breathing tube. The nurse isn't concerned. He said they won't rush him. Tom was starting to twitch and his mouth was moving when I went to see him last night. His color is better than it has been in a long time so the pig valve is doing its job.
I bought this Beanie Baby for Tom because of its big eyes. When he gets into his regular room, this Beanie will be on his shelf watching out for him.
I have said more rosaries this week than I have said in the last 30 years. Had to say them using my fingers cause I don't have a rosary with me......I will blog more through Tom's recovery and will post it on Facebook.

We are in Birmingham

We traveled to Birmingham today. We stopped at Mollywood in Dothan, AL for a break and to visit with our cousin, Molly. I fell in love with this pink flamingo and lo and behold, Molly gave it to me. She said after all I had done for Tom, I deserved it. It will grace our home and the boat launch. I will remember this adventure every time I look at it. It is so unique.

We are settled in for the night and will rise early tomorrow to get Tom to his 7AM appointment for his catheterization and angiogram. It looks like everything is moving ahead. Jane is coming into the Birmingham Airport at 5PM tomorrow. By then, Tom should be admitted to UAB and being prepped for surgery. What an ordeal this has been for him. We'll all be happy for it to be behind us.

Another fine meal at Fugi's Japanese Restaurant

I went to the Harrison Avenue today with Donna, Tom's next door neighbor. The street was shut down and vendors were in full swing. Lots of fine jewelry and paintings and woodworking (neat swings, etc). We had hotdogs at Tom's famous hotdog stand across from LG Beads on Harrison.

I went to Mass at 5PM and Father George said I shouldn't raise my hand to say I was a visitor. He suggested that I pick up a registration card LOL. He also is going to pray for Tom's speedy recovery. Another couple who had sat with us at one of the church suppers will also be praying for Tom. I am going to miss St John's when I go home. There's a nice bunch of people who go there

Brenda got here at 4:45 and after I got out of Mass, we went for dinner at Fugi's Japanese Restaurant. They put on a good spread and we came home really, really full! We had hibachi and sweet and sour soup and egg drop soup, fried rice, chicken wings, beef on a stick and much more! The owner is very accommodating and I hope they do well.

Sophie is driving Paul crazy but he is dealing with it. She's on her worst behavior when he puts her out and refuses to come when called. Sounds like another visit to doggie obedience school and Carl when I return.