Thanksgiving Thru the "Ages"

This is my third post today, but something happened that I could not resist sharing.

As Tony pulled our Thanksgiving turkey out of the refrigerator to prep it, he let each of the girls hold it for a second. 

That triggered a memory for me and I jokingly told him to pose with the girls, as you can see at the far right. Without even taking a "refresher" look at the photo on the left, here's how close I got!

I then had to pull out the old photo, circa 1968, which will go down in family lore as one of our most embarrassing moments. My mother, brother, and I were stopped by a newspaper photographer in our local grocery store and asked to "pose" with a turkey. Among many other things, Steven and I still whine about the fact that we didn't even GET the damned turkey. 

And yes, my mother was a big fan of short hair. On girls.

Wednesday Hugh Update

I wanted to check in with Mom before the holiday and of course asked her all the latest news about Hugh. First of all, he is scheduled for "release" on Friday. I can only IMAGINE how it will feel for him to be able to sleep in his own bed after a month away. 

Mom laughed when she told me that he's formed his own little "Bingo clique" at Homewood. Apparently, Hugh and several other "inmates" meet for lunch and then sneak off for some clandestine bingo. Leave it to Hugh to find the quasi-illicit activity at a retirement home. Apparently, though, his little cohort has been leaving in stages this week - so he'll probably be ready to go on Friday.

Tomorrow, Mom plans to meet Hugh at Homewood for a Thanksgiving Luncheon. Knowing how much Hugh loves the food there, this will undoubtedly be a big hit. I wondered aloud how Hugh will cope with coming home to "normal" food. Fortunately, Judy will be there to help out - since we ALL know how cooking-challenged my dear mother can be.

Hugh's friend Dean will be picking Hugh up at about 2pm on Friday. Mom has "waved off" my visit for the same day, as it will probably be a bit too hectic. So, think of Hugh on Friday around 2pm - home at last! 

Worlds Collide!

Having grown up with fairly "non-traditional" Thanksgiving celebrations (eating ham, in shifts, at my grandmother's basement table) I really relish following a fairly traditional route in my 40s. I FINALLY get to have turkey, with the entire family around my table and I love every second of it. The more traditional, the better.

So, I had to pause for a moment this afternoon when I realized that I was breaking the "traditional" path today by listening to Kanye West's "808s and Heartbreak" while baking pies. 

How to reconcile the smell of cloves with the sounds of "Love Lockdown"? I don't really know - but what's worked for me for the past few years is to stay flexible and allow "tweaking" of our new set of traditions. That way, there's plenty of room for both turkey AND Kanye!

My "Dorothy Complex"

All my life I have considered myself somewhat of a "tomboy." I have always eschewed frills in favor of denim, khaki, and a good pair of sneakers. Why is it then, that the sight of a pair of red patent leather pumps at a local shoe can make my heart seize?

I didn't buy them. I wouldn't wear them if I did. But I COVETED them. They were just so...CUTE...and SHINY! I have had a thing for shoes and purses my entire life and I've always struggled to reconcile it with my more practical and utilitarian side. I never seem to be able to do it, but I've learned to accept it. Just one of those little dichotomys of life. Enjoy it!

Thursday Hugh Update

I went to my book club last night and missed Mom's call. When I got home, around 10, I asked Tony if my Mom had called and he said he didn't think so. This morning when I came downstairs, I noticed there was a message on our vm. So I played it and as she heard my Mom's voice, Claire piped up that she had spoken to her last night. Huh? It turns out that Tony had been helping Sydney with piano (and she must have been playing REALLY loud, because Tony didn't hear the phone) and Claire heard Mom's voice on the message, so she picked up! Gotta love a six-year-old who shows a little initiative! Anyway, they apparently had a lovely chat about Thanksgiving, Christmas, The Nutcracker, etc. Good for them.

I did call Mom back today to get the intended update. She was about to go and get her hair done and then see Hugh, but she took a few minutes to bring me up to  speed. He did have his appointment with the local cardiologist yesterday, Dr. Hood. The doctor is, as mom reports, "guardedly optimistic" about Hugh's condition. We suspect the "guarded" part is because he didn't do the surgery so a lot of his medical opinion is based on "hearsay" in a manner of speaking. But we'll take it. I suspect the really important appointment is the one with Dr. Gammie on the 9th of December.

Mom is a little disappointed that Hugh isn't going to be "released" until the day after Thanksgiving. While they both hoped for something a little sooner, I hastened to remind her that that is only a week from tomorrow! It'll be here before she knows it. I had contemplated coming for a visit that day, but we'll wait and see how things go - I don't want it to be circus on the day he comes home. 

Hugh's therapy lately has revolved around climbing stairs. Good practice for when he comes home to his split level! He's working more with a cane rather than a walker. He also reports that he's really looking forward to sleeping in his own bed. I can only imagine - the last time he slept in it was on the 25th of October! 

Monday Hugh Update

Now that I'm back upright, I felt I needed to check in with Mom and get a "Hugh Update." She gave me a great report and says that she really thinks he's turned the corner and is making good progress in all respects.

He has an appointment with his local cardiologist on Wednesday and she'll give me a call after that so I can update everyone. In the meantime, he has really made the most of his new, yet temporary abode with the addition of his favorite chair from home - delivery compliments of Dean and Deven. (Yes, Dean...I didn't misspell Dane.)

The Land of the Upright

I gotta say, it's good to be back. Beginning Saturday evening and not really improving until this morning, I was suffering (literally) from the same stomach virus that flattened Tony in the middle of last week. If I posted a photo with this entry, it would be the view from my bed - which I did not leave for over 36 hours - other than to stumble to the restroom. I know - too much information. Anyway, today I am upright and actually out of my room. These episodes always cause me to ponder how much much I take just feeling healthy for granted. It just feels so excellent to be showered and amongst my people again. 

I took advantage of the extra day at home (decided it was best not to go to work until I could walk more than ten paces without ensuing dizziness) by nearly completing this year's holiday newsletter extravaganza. It is always a huge project, never seems to occur without serious technical difficulties, and yet I enjoy doing it - and always appreciate having it afterwards. They tend to be a good way to review each year as the years pass. 

It's impossible not to compile the stories of the year without realizing how quickly the year has sped by and to marvel at how much my four children have grown and changed just this year alone. Another excellent reminder to enjoy each day - particularly when you're not feeling deathly ill!

Ballet Saturday

Here's my day:

9:45 -10:30: Sydney's ballet class

12:15 - 1:30 - Claire's ballet class

3:00 - 3:45 - Claire's costume fitting

4:00 - 5:00 - Claire's rehearsal as part of Act II of the Nutcracker

As fried as I am, all I had to do was drive and sit around. As soon as we got in the car after the last trip, Claire popped a book open and has immersed herself in it ever since. As a book person, I completely get it; she's been around people all day and after a while, it's just a relief to retreat into a book. Here's a photo of Claire in the "zone." 

She'll need to recharge, she's got a 2 1/2 hour rehearsal tomorrow! Fortunately, this all culminates very soon, in three performances of The Nutcracker during the first week of December. Despite her need to get away from it at the end of the day, she's loving every minute of being part of the production. 

The Pitfalls of Redecorating

My poor, dear husband came home quite ill yesterday, most likely as a result of food poisoning on his trip to Atlanta. He had a truly awful night, necessitating my departure from our bedroom. With six people in this house, we are operating at capacity. We no longer have a guest room. Previously, my refuge on the rare night when I have to escape has been the good old sofa. 

Here's where the redecorating comes into play. I no longer HAVE a sofa! Well, I may have parts of one, but it's somewhere in North Carolina. Therefore, I attempted to bed down for the night in an armchair. I do not recommend that anyone try this at home. Today, everything hurts: shoulders, back, etc. I think the floor would have been preferable. Let's all cross our fingers that my spacious new sofa will arrive in the not-too-distant future.

Of more important note today, it's Claire's Gotcha Day - the sixth anniversary of the day she joined our family. Coincidentally, it's also her "sharing" day at school, so she trotted off to school with photos from that long-ago day that took place in Fuzhou, China.

On one hand, it seems SO long ago - yet it also feels like yesterday. I'll never forget being both sleep-deprived (two days, many airplanes, no sleep) and petrified. But the minute I saw that little baby, I knew she was mine and our bond formed instantaneously. Here's a photo of Claire and me, shortly after our first "meeting." She has her index finger through the ring around my neck and she liked it that way for a long time. She held on tight. 

Since I don't get to have memories of the girls' birthdays, these Gotcha Day observances are very meaningful for me. While I regale Joe and Sam with stories of the days they were born, for Claire and Sydney, this translates to boring them with every detail of what happened on the days they were first put into our arms. 

Since today is our normal "full-speed" Thursday - pick up at school and straight to gymnastics and ballet until after 6 - then dinner, piano, bath, and bed - Claire has opted to hold her celebration tomorrow - she is a smart girl and wants the full celebratory experience. She'll get to choose a dinner venue, enjoy Sam's homemade pumpkin cheesecake, watch the video of her original "Gotcha Day," and open a few small gifts - all related to China.

HAPPY GOTCHA DAY CLAIRIE!

Would You Like Fries With That?

I just spoke with Mom, who shared the details of a very eventful morning. She even said, "here's something for your blog." That made me laugh.

So, this morning she and her faithful companion, Judy, headed out to a doctor's appointment where Mom got her flu shot and was assured by her doctor that the vast majority of her current health woes are all stress-related and will most likely disappear once this period of high stress ends.

In celebration, Mom and Judy decide to swing by the local McDonald's for some pancakes. All is well until they pull up to the order window and the car window won't go down. Judy somehow manages to order while nearly standing in the car and yelling through the crack in the window. That works and they're told to "drive around." Uh...no. The car is dead. Completely dead. As they're instructed AGAIN to drive around, they explain their predicament - but can they still get those pancakes?

Almost immediately, several burly McDonald's employees hustle out to the parking lot and push the car into a parking spot. But what about those pancakes? Mom noticed that it was nearly past time for serving breakfast - oh, and her oxygen was running low, too. In the midst of calling for a tow truck, the pancakes were procured. Fortunately Hugh has a long-running relationship with a mechanic in Hagerstown, who graciously drove Mom and Judy (and the pancakes!) home and then returned to tow the car. Something tells me the car is in good hands.

After having a late breakfast and refilling her oxygen tank, our intrepid ladies ventured back out to visit Hugh. They found that they spent a lot of time trying to convince him that his strides are more than satisfactory. Apparently Hugh feels that he should be in triathlon form by now. It's taking all the resources of home and Homewood to convince him that he's making more than sufficient progress. According to his nurse, he's able to wash himself, dress himself, and get around. Amazing to all but Himself.

He is scheduled for more bloodwork tomorrow and they've started him on Iron supplements to alleviate the anemia. Hopefully his levels will improve soon and that will give him more energy and a slightly more positive outlook.

The father of friend of mine from work underwent triple bypass surgery only three days after Hugh. He's 78. On Sunday night, he collapsed and was rushed to the emergency room where it was determined he had a stroke as a result of a blood clot. The doctors were basically convinced that he was "done for." Then, amazingly, he woke up and seems to have made a full recovery. The doctors literally called it a "miracle." I'm sharing this only because we're so LUCKY that Hugh's recovery has been so uneventful.

He'll go back to see Dr. Gammie on the 9th of December at which time they'll do an MRI and give him a good once-over. I think they'll be delighted with what they find.

The Happy Couple

Taking a break from Hugh News today (though I'll be certain to add an addendum if anything new presents itself) to do a "shout out" to Sam and Alan on their one-year anniversary.

These are the two most generous-hearted teenagers I've ever encountered and I'm delighted that they've been together for an entire year - they BOTH have good taste and good sense!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!

Tuesday PM Update

Well folks, we finally had a "little" drama. Very little, fortunately. Yesterday (Monday) Hugh's hemoglobin and hemocrit were getting a bit low. This was a concern to the medical people because it MIGHT have suggested an internal bleed. His reading had dropped from 9 point something to 8 point something. If he hit 8, they would want to do a transfusion.

Side note here: I have a coworker who is undergoing similar issues - she's taught me a little bit about hemoglobin and transfusions. She's actually had hemoglobin readings as low as the 6s! So, knowing that her situation is not acute in any way, I suspected that this would not be a dangerous situation for Hugh, and it wasn't.

This morning, apparently, he woke up feeling great. He was able to do his therapy and didn't experience any shortness of breath until he was nearly done. A big improvement. Also helping his cause, Mom's back was better today - she felt well enough to go and pay and visit. Hopefully they had some good quality time together today.

I spoke to Denise this evening on Mom's behalf. She said that the official verdict is that Hugh is anemic. They will be doing a transfusion, but they don't expect it to be any kind of a big deal.

That's all I know for now. More as it becomes available.

The Road to Hagerstown

As painful as it was to have to climb BACK in the car today, it was an absolute thrill to be able to take the 270 spur westward, rather than to have to go all the way around the Beltway on the way to bloody Baltimore.

I left at 8:30 this morning in order to make it to Homewood by 10 - I had an easy trip (listening to Jane Austen's "Emma" on my iPod - yes, I'm weird) and arrived a bit early - 9:45. Fortunately, I had my GPS because Homewood was hard to locate, surrounded as it is by quite a bit of construction. Here's a photo of the front - don't mind the sun glare.

As per Mom's instructions, I entered the building and attempted to sign in with the woman at the front desk - except apparently the woman does not work on Sundays. They apparently rely on the "Honor System." I signed the book and took the painfully slow elevator to the third floor. There, I was required to enter a "code" to go into Hugh's unit. This hallway was very much an elderly care facility. Memories of visiting Nan came flooding back. It was a little scary, but Hugh has a little oasis in Room 305.

He looks absolutely fantastic. It was a treat to see him in street clothes, sitting in a "real" chair, and able to get up under his own power and walk into the hallway. Hooray! Here's a photo of him relaxing in his chair with feet up (nurses' orders!).

He LOVES Homewood and said that while the place may not look like much, the people and the food are great and those are the top two things on his list of importance, so there you have it. On Saturday night, he thought they were serving grilled cheese sandwiches (which were actually on the "alternative" menu) and when he got something else instead and expresed mild disappointment, one of the staff went back to the kitchen and got the man a grilled cheese sandwich. It doesn't take much to make him happy, but how nice is that? One of his other favorite nurses spent $2 of her own money to buy him a paper on the way in to work today. Since I had brought his wallet, he took some cash out and we made sure to repay the nurse. Now he has a few bucks to buy his own paper, too.

He's very much his old self and had me laughing out loud. Imagine his delight when one of the nurses asked for a stool sample and he was able to hand her this: (you may have to click on the picture to see it in full size).

Anyway, he's doing great and despite some shortness of breath, is making great strides. He'll probably stay at Homewood for the full 20 days approved by Medicare. He wants to be in as good health as possible so he won't "burden" Mom upon his return home. He DOES have a TV in his room (no Pay-per-View nonsense at Homewood) and he was excited about this afternoon's showdown between the Steelers and Colts.


I stayed until 11, at which point I think he was a little tuckered out - though he did say that Saturday night was his first full night of sleep since the surgery. It was a little tricky getting OUT of the unit - you have to enter the "code" several times, including at the elevator. Mom told me afterward that I was also supposed to hit a "*" at the elevator, which I didn't know and which probably explains why I only got an elevator when a random man arrived at the third floor. They REALLY don't want people wandering in OR out.


After having to debate the merits of subs from Sheetz with both Mom AND Hugh, I overruled them both and went to Freddie's. Hugh argued that the Sheetz' subs are "Made to Order," to which I had to reply, "yes, made to order by someone who has just finished pumping gas!" I brought subs for both Mom and me to her house for an early lunch. No trip to Hagerstown would be complete without a trip to Good Old Freddies. Had to include a photo for posterity.

Steven and his crew were supposed to meet us at Mom's at 11:30. I, of course, arrived at the stroke of 11:30. He rolled in at some point after noon with Terry, Dane, and Deven. We had a great time and laughed a lot. It was probably a lot for Mom today, since she's still recovering from the yanked back. But she seemed to tolerate it fairly well. Dane and Deven performed their usual cut up routine, which really had me rolling. At 1:00, we all went our separate ways. Steven and his group to visit Hugh and me - home. Here's a photo of Steven and the boys, with Mom, while Mom talks to Hugh on the phone.

A Small World

As part of my illustrious job as ITEA's Editor-in-Chief, I was asked to attend the SWE (Society of Women Engineers) Conference in Baltimore for a two-hour show and tell of ITEA's resources and materials. It was relatively painless as these events go, but it took a big and much-resented portion of my Saturday away. Not to mention the fact that, of all places to have to go, there was I was on that stinking road to Baltimore yet again. 

When I got home, there was a message from my dear brother Steven. He mentioned that he and Terry were on their way home from Baltimore. So when I called him back, I asked where they had been. He said that Terry was attending a job fair. I asked a few more questions before we came to the realization that her job fair was part of the exact same SWE Conference I had been attending! 

Tomorrow we'll visit Hugh in shifts - I'll go early, around 10 and then take some lunch to Mom. Hopefully Steven will join us and then go visit Hugh in the afternoon. Gosh - I'd better find out what time the Steelers play - we wouldn't want anyone cutting into his football time.

Mom says that he's really turning the corner and getting very comfortable at Homewood. He continues to really like the nurses and LOVE the food. They're keeping him busy, but apparently she's glad we're going to see him tomorrow because without therapy on the weekends, he can get a bit bored. 

Unfortunately, Mom's back is still not quite recovered yet, so she's not been able to visit him. She hopes to make it back early next week. 

I made it back from Baltimore in time to catch a portion of Claire's Nutcracker rehearsal. She had SUCH a great time at the rehearsal - both learning her part as the Little Chinese Doll and watching the older girls, who are AMAZING. She was just delighted to be a part of it. She's been going to Bon Bon rehearsals for almost a month, but as a Bon Bon understudy, she didn't get to do too much. I still laugh at the phrase, "Bon Bon understudy." Imagine putting THAT on your dance resume. 

Here's a link to information about the performances:

http://www.cbtnva.org/nutcracker.shtml

News From Belinda

I am laughing as I write this - a note about Belinda having spoken to Hugh, because I honestly think at this point that Belinda and I are the only people who even READ this blog!

Nevertheless, I'll press on, undeterred, and pretend that my blog teems with readers! In case you haven't noticed, I've even spiffed up the presentation by adding a few gadgets to the right. When I have more time, I'll have it link to some of my photos, but of course they don't currently support a link to Smugmug, which means I'll have to upload some pics to Picasa or Flickr - thereby duplicating effort, of which I am not a big fan. Good God, what a run-on sentence.

But back to Belinda. Had a short but nice conversation with her in which she says she had, for the first time since his surgery, spoken directly to Hugh. She said he sounds really sharp and even remembered that today is Hugh Miguel's birthday, which is more than we can say for other, unnamed family members. (jk!) Hugh was talking to her from his cell phone while he was trolling up and down the hall, trying to avoid the beleaguered stares of his nurses. He does enjoy agitating them! But Mom tells me that he's quite popular, so he's obviously charming his way out of his misdeeds. That's our boy.

When Belinda told me that Hugh started to break up when he was telling her about how I stayed with him before, during, and after surgery, I have to admit that it made me feel great. I am just devoted to that man and it's been great to finally have a chance to show him how much he means to me. He's always been there when I've needed him.

As a final note for today, happy birthday to Hugh (the smaller version)! All of your northern relatives send you hugs and kisses and hope that you'll have a great celebration with Maddie tomorrow. We can't wait to see the photos!

Thursday PM Update

All the news that's fit to print:

Hugh is settling into Homewood and everything is mostly going well. He's had some issues with dizziness, so he's not been able to have much in the way of physical or cardio therapy. According to Mom, Medicare will pay for 20 days at Homewood, so we're hopeful that the dizziness will clear and he can start getting some therapy in soon. They did start Hugh on oxygen today, and that seems to be helping. He's also had some anxiety issues (being cooped up - I wonder why) so they also tossed some mild anti-anxiety meds into his daily cocktail and as of this evening, he is much improved. 

According to Mom, he LOVES the food at Homewood (halleluia!). He had a delightful scampi over angel hair pasta for lunch (oh SNAP!) and some tea, pancakes, and bacon for dinner. (How the hell does a heart patient get bacon anyway?) 

Mom's friend Judy got everything on Hugh's shopping list, including some snazzy new pjs, etc. Everything that the "man about town" needs when trying to impress at rehab center. I've asked her to put together a list of anything that either of them need that I can pick up on or before Sunday when I drive up there. 

Mom also reports that she's gotten to know the nurses and is able to call for periodic updates with relative ease. She says that Hugh's room is right next to the nurses' station - funny only because he told me on Saturday that he HATES being close to the nurses' station because he can't "get away with anything."

Oh, and as chance would have it, Mom has thrown out her back. There's a not-very-pretty story involving retrieving toilet paper from an overhead storage closet that no one really wants to hear. So she's out of visiting commission for a few days. She's slapped on some heating pads and is retiring for the evening. Hopefully she'll recover soon - someone needs to keep Hugh in line. 

Reunited

Although I would give my right arm to have photos, I'll have to make do with my mental image of Mom and Hugh being reunited at Homewood this morning. Mom was busily filling out mounds of paperwork when the word came that Hugh had arrived. He was all atwitter that she wasn't right there and began making several frantic calls. Fortunately, he didn't have long to wait and apparently their reunion was so touching that several of the Homewood employee were in tears. 

More good news: Hugh has been enjoying greatly improved food service AND TV whenever he damn well pleases. (Though thankfully he was able to see the Steelers game last night - thank you Lord for letting them win.)

So, everyone should have a great mental image of Hugh settling in to his new digs - a mere five minutes from home. The current plan is that he'll be there for about 20 days - but that time period will emcompass both the general rehab AND the cardio rehab. So when he's sprung, he'll be able to resume a fairly normal existence - though hopefully better with improved heart functionality. 

I plan to go see him on Sunday (I have a work confernce to attend on Saturday - in BALTIMORE!! GAH!!) But I'll keep everyone apprised of any updates I receive between now and then.

What a difference a week makes!

Sunday Photo

Here's the aforementioned photo of Hugh with Sam and Alan during their visit on Sunday afternoon. I was surprised to see him STANDING in the photo, since it's the first time I've seen him on his feet since the morning of the surgery one week ago today.

I don't know about all of you, but I'm amazed at how far he's come in one week - just look at him! Back in action! Look out Homewood!

The Big Move

This just in:
Tomorrow (Tuesday) morning at 9am, Hugh will be transported by ambulance to "Homewood at Williamsport." Mom plans to be there to meet him when he arrives, which I wish I could be there to photograph the occasion. Here's a link to information about Homewood:
http://www.homewood.com/pubs/locations/About_Williamsport.

Fortunately, Mom made sure to arrange for Hugh to see the Steelers on Monday Night Football this evening. She made it very clear to Hugh's case worker that if he didn't get to see the game, there might be very scary repercussions - like Hugh running and screaming up and down the hallways of UMMC. So, let's just hope the Steelers do well (sorry Tony).

Sam and Alan went to visit Hugh yesterday and had a good time chatting with him. She says she took a few photos, but I haven't yet snatched the camera back from her. So, look for the photos later today.

Hugh on the Road to Recovery - Saturday

I had a GREAT visit with Hugh today. He is about 150% better than the last time I saw him. He seemed so much like his old self that it just really made me feel great. See for yourself by clicking "play" on the video posted above.


Joe came with me today and we arrived at the UMMC at about 3pm on Saturday. I am an old hat by now and I know exactly where to park and where to go for everything. It was great to be able to bypass the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and go to the "Telemetry" unit where Hugh is in a "normal" room.


When Joe and I arrived, Hugh was buried in a book, but he was happy to surrender it and launched into another series of his great stories. I could have let him talk all day - it was just so wonderful to hear him back to himself. I did regale him with several stories of what had transpired during his recovery, including the roaming clouds on his ceiling - he does remember that.


At one point we were talking about Mom and he started to tear up, so I knew I had to throw in some levity on the double. So I told him the story of Mom setting off the alarm and the police coming. I had him laughing out loud in no time and he wasted no time telling Mom that he knew about her adventure when he talked to her on my cell phone.


His biggest complaint has been the food at UMMC. So, we checked with the nurse and she gave her okay for Joe and me to buy him a Subway turkey and cheese sandwich (with lettuce, tomato, and a LITTLE bit of mayo). I sent Joe down to get him a foot-long sub so he'd have something good to eat today AND tomorrow for dinner.


A bit later who shows up but Denise and Dean. It was so great to see Denise and, believe it or not, it was my first opportunity to meet Dean. He's just as sweet as Denise described him and we had a great visit all around. Hugh seemed to have a great time regaling us with even more stories of his adventures at UMMC.


The latest update is that he should theoretically be moved to a rehab facility on Monday. The search is still on for a "bed" in a facility that can provide the type of rehab that he needs. Due to location, first choice is Washington County Hospital in Hagerstown. Second choice would be the hospital in Frederick, or somewhere else nearby. He tells me that he's surprised that he really has trouble walking. They do make him get up and walk around three times each day. Yesterday he was able to climb 12 steps, which I think is amazing.

At about 5, we left Hugh to his Subway sandwich and Joe even joked that he couldn't even wait for us to get out of the room before he tore into it. The poor guy must have really been desperate for decent food.

Here are a few more pics from today:

This one is Hugh, holding his "heart." It's a pillow with a heart diagram on it that he uses to hold to his chest when he coughs - still VERY painful.

This photo is fairly self-explanatory - Hugh is posing for a picture with his Subway Turkey and Cheese Sandwich. A great way to picture him getting through his (hopefully) last day at UMMC tomorrow.