Traveling Mercies

We are packed and ready to leave by 9:00 tomorrow!  It will be so good to get home for a few days.  This will be an especially good trip home because Lee is now able to do so many more things.  He is so much stronger now and he is looking forward to becoming more actively involved in many of the things he did before he became ill.

Our home health nurse came by around 7:00 this evening to change the dressing on Lee's PICC line.  (No, I am not allowed to do that).  Anyway, we were talking about going home for a few days and as she was leaving she said, "Traveling Mercies".  I did not know what she meant and she explained that in some areas, particularly in this area,  it is said to wish you a "safe travel".  Lee said he was familiar with the term but didn't use it and I, of course, if I had heard it, forgot it.

On the way back from the Center for the Living we talked to Julia and learned that many of our friends and family will be attending Greg's concert.  We are looking forward not only to the performance but also to seeing so many of you there.  Right now, Lee is planning on going.  At first we thought it best to avoid the crowds but the doctor gave him a thumbs up to go.  To put it in his words, "you have to continue to have a life.  You just have to use good judgement and carry a mask and hand sanitizer with you.  When you hear someone coughing, put the mask on and ALWAYS use the hand sanitizer after handshakes.  It is best to avoid ALL HUGS and close contact."  So with that in mind, we are sure whenever you are around Lee you will help us by remembering these things.

I am asking you to try not to find me a bit overbearing on the subject of "what we must do now".  You have to understand that the closer we get to coming home the more I feel the responsibility to prepare everyone.  We plan to continue to see our family and friends, to go to church and to attend other important events.  We just have to keep "protection" always in our minds.  There are so many issues that you just never think about until you are in that situation.  For example:  Lee cannot be around babies within three weeks of their vaccine.  Babies receive "live vaccines" and there is a possibility that he could become infected just by being around the baby at that time.  Some of the medication that Lee takes is dangerous for pregnant women and they should be careful when around Lee as long as he is on that medicine.  This is one that he will probably be on the rest of his life.

Lee and I have had four months to adjust to accepting these standards.  The post-lung transplant coordinators, doctors, therapists at the CFL are all excellent in keeping us informed and answering all questions we have.  Another area of learning is in the sharing of information with other patients and their caregivers.  It will take some time for everyone to adjust and then it will become normal for all.

We are anxious to leave and will leave as soon as we can tomorrow morning.  Our plans are to try to be in Vale by 1-2:00.

Traveling Mercies.........

More Later................................................Brenda