Cindy's Best Day Yet!

How is Cindy feeling today? Much better! We ALL ARE!

This is a picture of Kevin with the Delta employees who made his arrival home VERY special!

Cindy made friends with the person on the right. She had the person on the left call the pilot, go down the gateway and made sure Kevin was the first off the plane. She escorted him arm-in-arm until Katie broke into a sprint down the jet way to meet him. When they came through the gate, everyone gave them an ovation!

This is a memory we will never forget. Katie's mom captured it on video. I will try to post it soon.

KEVIN IS HOME FROM AFGHANISTAN!!!

Cindy was able to go to the airport to meet Kevin at the gate. It was very emotional reunion. Cindy made friends with the women at the Delta gate and as such, special privileges were provided to us. Katie, her mom and I watched Cindy do her thing...

One of the women working the gate informed the pilot that Kevin was on board and we were waiting. He announced that Kevin is a special guest and he deplaned first. The Delta employee went down to escort Kevin to us. I will try to post pictures in a future blog.

Needless to say, it took it's toll on Cindy. She is wiped out, in some additional pain and, unfortunately, is beginning to run a low grade fever. We are praying that it is from the excessive activity and not a sign that the infection is kicking in again already.

I will provide an update later today, though my son and I have some catching up to do...which may included an adult beverage or two :-)

When Will We Know If The Infection Is Gone?

A year from now!

Why? Because the head of infectious diseases at Moffitt explained it to us this way...

The infection can actually hide from the IV antibiotics, which Cindy will be on for the next 6 weeks.

If the infection doesn't appear during that six week period of time (which it still might), it does not mean it has been destroyed. The infection can begin to grow slowly inside the bone. If that does occur, it will likely re-appear within the next three months. Then again, a few strands could grow very slowly before they begin to become aggressive.

Therefore, it could be as long as a year before we can rest easy that the ordeal is over.

Again, this strain of infection is not deadly. More surgeries and further amputation of the leg may be required, but at least it is not life threatening. 

Now that we all know the possibilities, please know we are not going to concern ourselves with what may be. Our focus is on that which we can control...enjoying each day. Worrying changes nothing, so why worry?

Have a great Monday! I know we will!!!

Home Sweet Home!

We woke up in our own bed! What an amazing feeling to get a good night's sleep.

Cindy is still having pain in her leg (which is to be expected) and her throat, (which is NOT to be expected). Her spirits are great and she is more alert than she has been in four days (it was getting old watching her sleep all day). We will be visited by Mark, her home healthcare nurse this afternoon who will administer her IV antibiotics, and the Privara family (daughter-in-law Katie and our extended family: her mom & dad), who did an amazing job decorating the house with welcome home signs and flowers. We truly appreciated it!

Today we are beginning to plan...for Kevin's return, for our mini-vacation which begins on Friday, followed by my parents visiting, Kyle coming home and my brother and god-son coming down to see the boys and their brides (present and future). It is such a great feeling to have pleasant things to look forward to for a change.

Cindy's eneregy level is weak and any movement hurts her leg, but otherwise, she is doing better today.

We're Home!

Home never felt so good! Yes, we are here.

Arrived to a nice surprise. Our daughter-in-law, Katie and her mom had signs up in the house welcoming Cindy home, and we noticed the house had been vacuumed, as well! I can't tell you how wonderful that was!

Cindy is on less potent pain meds so, as yoou imagine, she is experiencing more pain than she had in the hospital. Her BP (not the dreaded oil company, but her blood pressure) came down a bit again, but she is not feeling any of the symptoms that accompany it being low so we are not terribly concerned.

The PICC line is apparently not working as hoped, but we are keeping our fingers crossed that it won't prevent Cindy from receiving the IV antibiotics that begin at home tomorrow.

The best thing about being home? We will get a good night's sleep for the first time since Wednesday. Sleeping on a cot with nurses and techs coming in every two hours makes for many a long night.

Tomorrow we will reassess and see how Cindy will be doing on her first day home.

Thanks to everyone for you kindness, love and concern...and to all those who lent a hand to make our "adventure" more tolerable...a special thank you.

More to come tomorrow...

We Are Coming Home!

Not sure what time we will finally be discharged, but it has been confirmed that we will be spending the night in our own house!

Great news!

Not Sure We Are Coming Home Today

It appears that the PICC line is not functioning properly so we have to wait to find out if we will be released today.

The pain remains in Cindy's leg and throat, however, there is mild improvement.

I'll provide another update when we find out if we are going home or spending another night here.