He's Back!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is so good to look @ Lee's recliner and see him sitting there!  Supper is cooking and the aroma of the meat loaf he requested drifts through the condo.  Finally, we are back to some similarity of our former lifestyle.  Lee is enjoying looking @ past Sunday's tape from First Baptist Church, Lincolnton.  What a blessing to see him sitting there with no oxygen and not struggling to breathe.  We were both very happy to return.

He had an appointment to return to the Living Center today @ 1:00.  It just could not be done.  The discharge from the hospital was not completed until 1:30 and we had to reschedule for Thursda @ 1:00.  Both of us needed some down time and we both just crashed when we got here.  Lee will have to do his walking around this area until tomorrow.

Lee's discharge nurse came by and her first greeting was, "Are you still mad @ me?".  With that, Lee responded, "No, I want to give you a hug."  So hugs were given and now all is well between them.  She is an excellect nurse and probably played a big role in helping Lee get on the list.  She always knew what a fighter he was and was the one who encouraged him when he left the hospital last March.

Lee wants all of you to know that it is so nice to be back @ the apartment in MY CARE.  I'll try to remind him of that when I have frustrating days along with him.  I suppose you could say this is the third chapter in our saga............actually mostly Lee's.  He is the one who has suffered so much for so long.  I have only been there for support and love.  First Chapter was extremely difficult from December through first of March.  Lee spent 67 days in four different hospitals with three different diagnosis.  It was through your diligent watch with prayer, calls, cards, and visits that we survived.

The second chapter was when we did everything in our power to return to Duke and get a new lung for Lee.  All the work in Vale with so many of you volunteering to help was our salvation.  All we did was ask and you were always ready to drop anything you were doing to be there for us.  Thank you seems so inadequate for that tremendous gift of love.

The third chapter was a new lung and an overhaul of his heart.  This continues into rehabilitation and recovery.  We know you are still there pulling for us, especially for Lee.  God willing, and the prayers you continue to give up for him...............we will be coming home to Vale by the end of August of the first of September.

God's Blessings on all..................................more later...........................Brenda