Last Post From Area Code 206

It's hard to believe we have been at the U for seven weeks. MaryEleanor took full advantage of everything this environment had to offer and then some. As I mentioned shortly after we arrived, one of ME's therapists told me that ME could become one of their favorites. She has and tomorrow's departure will be tough for many people who work on 8N. However, they are truly excited for us to make this next step in ME's recovery and have availed themselves to be called on anytime, including the nursing staff.

Today for ME was no cakewalk. Early this morning she was taken to the surgery center at the U for a procedure that evaluates to potential for an internal pump of muscle relaxers. If the test came back positive, it would allow ME a way to injest this medication with a constant low dose and avoid the peaks and valleys of an oral muscle relaxer. To accomplish the procedure, a baseline "range of motion" is performed with ME. It's not fun but ME gutted her way through it. ME had to handle two additional evaluations at the 2 and 4 hour mark after the procedure. These also pushed ME beyond her normal pain threshold. The end result was positive for a consideration to implant a pump in the near future. This was exhausting for me to watch let alone for ME to go through. If there is a silver lining to this testing ME went through today, three of the most veteran therapists volunteered for the job and ME's resident was with ME during the actual procedure.

BUT, we weren't done for the day! PT Vicki asked ME mid afternoon if she was up for one more session. In typical ME style, she said "I'm really tired but let's go". I watched ME navigate her chair out of her room and to the gym for her last official session. After about 45 minutes, ME called uncle. She drove herself back to her room with no assistance and as promised, Vicki got ME back into bed. I took over and made her comfortable for the evening.

Besides being involved with all of these activities today, I spent several hours on the phone today finalizing all of the components to bring ME home safely. We're ready.

Tomorrow will be an emotional day. Saying good-bye to the fantastic staff at the U and hello to welcoming arms in Yakima. A new chapter in MaryEleanor's recovery begins!

This evening I made my last trip from the U to Madison Park, my weekly oasis. Tomorrow morning, I make my last trip to the U and navigate my way up to 8N. Diane will make one more trip from Snohomish in the morning to hang with ME while I finish strapping bags to the roof of the Mountaineer and beat feet across the pass to prepare for ME's arrival.

509 here we come!