Friday, January 18, 2013

1/18/13 Home Sweet Home!

Home Sweet Home!

Hi, Gabrielle here.  I could hardly sleep last night, tossing and turning with excitement (and yes, a bit of delirium from all the drugs that follow a major abodominal/cancer surgery).  What was I excited about?  The fact that they were going to let me OUT of the hospital by 10 AM today, Friday, Jan. 18.  So much to do--packing, finding the "going home outfit" (loose, comfy, clean?), having the I/V in my right hand removed and the port-o-cath in my left collarbone "de-activated" until I will need it again for chemo next Friday.  There were favorite nurses and CNA's who needed hugs and goodbyes, discharge orders to digest (don't lift anything over your head, only lift things weighing less than a jug of milk, walk, rest, take pills).  There were flowers and cards and tea and candles and many other treats to pack up and take home from the blessed readers of this blog.  And lastly, there were trips to two pharmacies to pick up all my new meds (one of which are daily shots to prevent blood clots that Daniel J. Dudley, future M.D. was taught to give to me by my favorite nurse, Kim.


I arrived home tired but elated.  Never has home looked so good.  I have walked three times through each room of the house today just smiling and taking it in.  Love, peace, favorite memories, and comforts await me in every room. Clean sheets on my OWN comfortable (not rubber air mattress) bed.  My lotion, my tissues, my blistex or Burt's bees at every turn.  My neighbors--we have the best neighbors!  Not to mention more flowers than you have EVER seen in one house in your entire life!  So beautiful!  So cheerful!  '


Oh, and did I mention there was a UPS package for me on the porch?  The note read "If you are opening this, it means you are in your cozy home and you have "earned" your very own "Mrs. Potato Head."  It was from my former SPU assistant, dear friend, and cheerleader--Ami Archibald!  I'm having fun taking off Mrs. Potato head's hair, replacing her bald head with her baseball cap, and imagining what I will look like about two months from now!  ;-)


Thanks to each of you, dear family and old and new friends, for your words and deeds of kindness and love toward me and my family.  Thanks for your continued prayers for my complete healing and endurance through the long battle ahead (well, only 19 more weeks--not all that long).  Thanks for the FOOD that is filling two fridges and now that I can eat again, oh, am I ever enjoying  your healthy, thoughtful, "healing" meals!


Lastly, I want to thank Steve, who though sick and needing to wear masks, visited me and did errands for me as often as he could this week while juggling home and bills and two jobs.  He is the real deal, thirty years and counting.  I want to thank Renee, as I did earlier, for girls nights in the hospital, great talks and spiritual comfort during the worst week of my life. I tell people she is my daughter, my friend, my pastor, and my therapist all rolled into one....and she IS.  And what can I say about Daniel who spent more hours with me in the hospital than anyone else, anticipating my every need and caring for me with a servant heart, just as Jesus washed the feet of the disciples.  What a great doctor he will make (and wherever that young woman is that I have been praying for since he was a baby...you know, the one who will be his wife one day...she will be blessed beyond belief by my sweet son.)  ;-)


Ultimately, I offer thanks to Jesus who heard me cry out in pain and despair "help me Jesus" about a million times this past nine days.  And He did.  What a privilege it is to know and serve Immanuel--the God who loves us and is WITH us.  Amen!


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15 comments:

  1. So exciting that you're finally home! Way to go!! - Marissa

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  2. Praying for you all!!

    Jennifer, Jeff and Ian Roach (patients of Dr Duddley)

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  3. Gabrielle, Praying daily for you---SO glad you are home! Hope you sleep so well tonight in your own bed. Blessings to you and your family---Jennifer Perrow

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  4. Gabrielle! I came across Marti's post and was totally shocked. Came immediately to your blog. It is obvious that you are well-loved because you have amazing blog views for such a short period of time. Your kids are fabulous! Steve is himself -- and so funny. We'll be praying for you. Thanks for the blog - it's nice catching up after a few years of not communicating. Hugs around!
    Kathy L

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  5. BAHHH YAYYYY so happy you're back home!! We can be neighbors again! Thanks for the update, I'm having my round of happy tears muahaha :) Hope you're resting up nicely and way to go in the perseverance! *high five*

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  6. Yay this is awesome! I am so happy for you that you are home. Home can be a very healing and therapeutic place so I'm glad they finally let you be in it and that you are enjoying it! You have such a great family and support system loving you and taking care of you, from you immediate family to all over the world, it makes me so happy to see everyone blessing and loving on you so much

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  7. I only learned about Gabrielle's situation yesterday from Renee, who was also kind enough to give me the link to this blog--this truly amazing blog! I'm quite sure that these postings and the comments they generate from family and friends throughout the world will aid in Gaby's recovery, but I'm equally sure that they will be an encouragement and blessing to those who read and respond to them. I can't ever recall seeing such an amazing array of clever, upbeat and above all dazzlingly loving stories. I am immensely grateful to Renee for the link, and immensely proud to be a part of this community of support for one of my favorite colleagues. You rock, Gaby!

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  8. Hi Gabrielle,
    So glad to hear you have gotten back home - a much better place to recover. Thinking ahead a little bit, should Steve and Daniel want to show support for that hair loss thing, my husband John is a bald headed expert. He would recommend Gillette Fusion razors and ESPA men's Dual-Action Shavemud (online)! Our prayers are with you for a full and speedy recovery. Blessings, John and Nancy Zevenbergen

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  9. I am nearly speechless with pride, Gaby. I am so blessed to have two wonderful, smart, loving and joyful sisters. I'm thinking about you and my wonderful brother, Steve and my truly amazing niece and nephew. I love you all so very much.

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  10. Such a joyful post. It fills my heart. You continue to be such an inspiration and encouragent. Peace to you today. Rest and enjoy home and the company of those who love you.

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  11. Yay! I'm so glad you're home (and even posting on your blog!)

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  12. I'm having fun taking off Mrs. Potato head's hair, replacing her bald head with her baseball cap, and imagining what I will look like about two months from now! ;-) http://www.bestmattress-brand.org/review-of-top-7-adjustable-bed-brands/

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