Our "wonderful" experience with an overnight stay in the hospital

After Darrell was awake from the surgery they moved him to "short stay", where he was going to stay overnight. Tammy James brought a bag of goodies from Fudgie Nut for snacking on. It looked delicious. She was so considerate and included some "fruit" since I had been on the Daniel fast. Terri Hunter came by right about the time we were going back to see him. She was the "keeper of purses and bags" til we located where Darrell was.

Darrell was very sore, especially his throat where he had been intubated (is that the right spelling?) He was barely whispering, but looked good. I was thankful to hear the faint voice.

Zelda Lanza dropped in for a quick visit to make sure Darrell was doing well. Also, Sherry Veal dropped by after work to check on him. She told me to tell him she was so mad at him --not a hair out of place on his head--even after surgery and that "cute little blue cap" that they make you wear. Those of you who know Darrell, know that's the way it always is. I can wake up on Saturday morning, and he's already taken his shower, dryed his hair and everything in place, and then I look at myself and see that "bedhead" look.

Have you ever stayed overnight in a hospital? Well, I hadn't been there since Jacob was born, and I forgot all the "fun" things that go on in the middle of the night--like nurses coming in and out (we love you, nurses, anway), taking your blood pressure, taking blood samples, bringing water, popsicles, jello, and broth, checking on equipment, just all the things that you'd hope your nurse would do. But I forgot how OFTEN they do it. We were up "every hour on the hour". Did I mention that I stayed in the room with Darrell? I slept on that "lovely" and very "comfortable" chair that turns into a bed. Let me rephrase that, I "attempted" to sleep on that chair. At one point, I told Darrell that we better hurry up and go back to sleep, that the nurses would return in 40 minutes. I told Darrell that I was not pleased with this "hotel choice" and that I was thinking about going ahead and getting dressed and going out to warm the car and wait on him out there. Finally morning came, and we were excited to leave in a few hours and go home to try to get some sleep there.

Dr. Fernandez released Darrell about 10:00 that morning, and we got home by noon. It was wonderful to be "free" from the hospital. Darrell's voice was still weak, but Dr. Fernandez said that it should come back soon. The incision looked good and should heal very well.
~Vickey