Home, But Not Alone

Yes, we are home. The stretcher transport bringing Evan & Harold was supposed to leave the hospital at 4:15. I left at 2:30, driven home by a friend who had determined I was in no shape to make the 4 hr drive alone. When I arrived home at 7:30, I called Sarah, her husband Danny, & Jeff to help me unload the car & get things settled in. They had me unloaded & unpacked in half an hour. Quite the amazing feat if you would have seen how much stuff we brought back with us! The guy's ride didn't leave until 6:30, arriving home at 10:30pm Thursday night. Our friends Jeff & Chris were there to help unload Evan & take him around back, as he had to come in through the wide French doors, rather than the small front door. Our family finally went to sleep in our own beds at 12:30am.

Evan's bedroom is now the front room, set up very wonderfully by some of our friends from church. Sherry S. was the master planner, even creating a sitting room for Harold & I in Evan's former bedroom. Our fridge & pantry was fully stocked, including yummy treats. Each of us found our favorite candy bar on our pillows that night, courtesy of Sherry! (Yes, I ate mine before bed!)

I'd like to say our first day home was great but it really wasn't. Evan is still having a lot of groin pain due to swelling from the surgery & any movement is very, very painful. We had to get him into his wheelchair and that process brought a lot of tears, pain, anxiety, anger & more tears from our wonderful son. We would have loved to let him lay in bed all day, but that is a recipe for blood clots, bed sores & pneumonia, so we are having to put him through pain in order that he stay well. We have a wonderful home nurse, Cora, who is an old friend of ours. She has had some good suggestions & it's great to have a friend as Evan's nurse.

Harold & I decided last night that this is literally the hardest thing we have ever been through, ever. We know that on the other side of it, things will be fine, but for now it breaks our hearts to have to cause our son pain. Although mentally we know that each day the swelling will decrease & the sore places will get better, for now we have to take our own time to cry & ask God to give us the stamina & grace to get through this valley. Evan & I did happen to have a couple hours last night before bed where we were able to watch Food Network, laugh & reaffirm that we all love each other. That was a great end to a very hard day & I was enormously grateful for it.

Please pray for the following specific items for us: a rapid decrease of the groin swelling, grace, that Evan's appetite would return, and more grace for all.

Thanks!

Comments

[Jessica]

Prayers are still coming from me! Hugs too!

[Julana]

I'll pray for you all.