The monotonous day to day of laying around and watching TV was really getting to me. I was starting to get stronger and eating more regularly. It felt good to finally feel good. Well… a lot better than I had. I’ve had a few other appointments with Dr. Dave since the Flyers event and my bloodwork has steadily improved and my weight slowly gaining. It had been four weeks now since I have seen my boys and this was just too long. It was time to go home. Dr. Dave agreed.
Lori had our bedroom all set for me and everything set up for my ongoing recuperation. Everything had to be sanitized, no fresh vegetables in the house as well as any other items that could compromise my condition. I was so excited to be able to be with my family again. Three months was just way too long. My Dad and Mom were going to be taking me home on Saturday, just two more days. They did such a great job helping me out. My in laws did a great job at our house helping Lor too. And thank God for Karen! Karen Garlick was just phenomenal! This young lady helped us take care of Nick since he was a baby and now both boys. Nanny extraordinaire. At this point, I don’t think she knew what she had signed up for. Dedicated and dependable, we could always count on her. She would be so important to the ongoing situation in our home. Karen, thank you for all you did for us. You are amazing. Now, time to get home.
Saturday came and I was ready to go. Packed up, in the car, on our way. Nick was so exited when I got there. I hugged that kid so hard I could have crushed him. After I finally let him go, probably like ten minutes, I got to hold my littler guy. It was the first time I held him since he was born the month prior. So small and beautiful he was. He had grown so much in one month though. It was a very emotional and overwhelming moment for me. I had survived a lengthy, horrible, painful, debilitating operation that took me away from my family for three months. It tested me to the limits of my existence and challenged my body and mind like nothing you can imagine. No matter what Leukemia threw at me though, there was no way it would take me from my boys. There was a long way to go though. It started now. I’m home, I’m stronger, I’m alive and I am ready to live! I would be eating dinner with Lori and the boys tonight. Just us. It would be glorious. Even if I still couldn’t taste anything yet. I got to help Lor put the boys in for a nap. Feed little Joe a bottle and lay him down to sleep. I couldnt wait to be their Daddy again. I slipped into the bathroom, my bathroom, to take a shower and decompress. I’m not ashamed to say that after I shut that bathroom door and turned the water on, I lost it. These were long awaited tears of joy. Tears of pain. Tears of fear. I knew that I was a strong person. I knew that I could keep going. Keep fighting. Keep improving. And keep loving. Loving my family so much.
Time to get ready for dinner. To get the boys up and ready at the table. To sit with my amazing wife and enjoy so much an everyday normal practice. Eating a meal, in my home, at my table, with my family. We laughed so much and Nick filled me in on all that I had missed. He was such a smart kid. Joe, not so much. At one month old, he wasn’t big on conversation. Lol. And finally, after dinner, I would be sleeping in my own bed for the first time in ninety days. Next to my beautiful wife. Hallelujah! But , Wait…its 2 am. Who’s crying ? Do I really have to get up and take care of Joey? Damn right! I got this Lor. My pleasure. Hey little guy…how about a warm bottle and a smooth rendition of The Carpenters …”Close to You”. ” On the day that you were born the Angels got together….”. The perfect song. Worked every time. Goodnight buddy. A kiss for you, a check on Nick and a kiss for him. Goodnight, let me get some rest.
Next up: Feeling like I just got shot!