Greg's parole papers came through yesterday. He was told they'd have him out by noon. So, of course, he got out at 3:30. He called me & said he was driving around St. Louis with the windows open and the stereo blaring. It felt good to be free.
He got to Hope Lodge at about 4. If you don't know the WWII origins of the word "snafu" now's a good time to look it up. That's what this was. They had no bed, no notice he was coming, and said he couldn't stay because he didn't have a "support person" with him (we've never heard of this requirement until then). Long story short: after a million phone calls, and him proving that he's capable of taking care of himself, he got admitted & all's well. Things are a little austere, but livable. I told him to make a list of things he wants me to bring him this weekend.
He will go to clinic about 3 times a week, and sees a nurse practitioner Friday, and Dr. Vij on Tuesday. Matthew and I are going up for the weekend (Eric has to work), and my sister Debbie, her two younger daughters and the new baby are going to join us. We're staying in a hotel, and Greg should be able to stay the weekend with us. I'm really going for the food, but Greg tried to eat a roast beef sandwich last night and it tasted like metal. That's normal at this point, unfortunately. It will take a while for his taste and appetite to come back. Debbie is bringing liver sausage and rye bread, so hopefully, that will tempt him.
I'll post semi-regularly from here on out, assuming everything's going well. He'll need platelet and blood support for the next few months, so that's why he's got to stay in St. Louis. Its not unheard of for him to have to be hospitalized a few times during this recovery period, too. Lets just hope & pray that's kept to a minimum.
Thanks to all for your love & support.
Greg & Ann
6 comments:
Liver sausage? Its sounds even better than liver and onion! Greg, if roast beef is difficult, try pea soup! Glad to hear that you have moved on to halfway house. Show them this blog and they will know how many support persons you have!
SO! Debbie gets good Italian food in St. Louis? I didn't!
Glad to hear the parole went through and he was sprung. Do you have an address yet? I want to send him a cake with a file in it in case he needs to make a break for it.
Hugs and prayers flying your way,
Us
PS> Francis, liver sausage is sort of an 'aquired taste', kind of like steamed chicken feet or smoked duck tongues. Not for everybody! LOL!
Judy
AWESOME!!!! I'm glad to hear he's out... Hope it's smooth sailing from here out... I know you guys deserve a break! And we are still praying for you guys!
Love,
Becky/Sam/Sheridyn/Trinity/Gaby
Hey Greg.........
Remember the Movie Brave Heart?....
FREEDOM.....................
Congradulations and good luck......
andy
Hey Greg!
We're so glad to hear that you are now at the Hope Lodge...just stepping out of the confines of that hospital must have been invigorating in itself!! I'm certain your weekend of family visits was enjoyable.
I'm hoping that the liver sausage tasted like liver sausage...but I've read that initially meats in particular may taste more metallic because of their iron content, maybe cheese, nuts and yogurt might taste better to get your protein in?
I think Ann told me you had sores in your mouth...so when those clear up a bit, lemon drops and lemonade might help too.
Greg just know that we have been thinking about you and Ann and keeping you all in our prayers and of course we will continue to do so.
Be Good.
Pam & Russ
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