Durham

Tuesday March 15, 2016

On our way to Durham at about Noon, after picking up a wheel chairs, crutches and a visit from Mason and Kylie. It was a warm sunny day. Our "new car" ran beautifully and we enjoyed the drive. The first 60 miles were across country on local roads (the SC 41) and through small rural towns. The rest of the way on Interstate Highways. Can't say we are thrilled with the 'extended stay" hotel, but it will do.

Its early Spring in SC. The white and pink blossom trees are quite amazing. One can see that the deciduous trees are a couple of warm days away from bursting their buds. The fields of cotton are all showing white.

Wednesday March 16, 2016

Spent the morning at the hospital. Deidre passed all the preliminaries with flying colors and we are all set for Friday. The surgeon pooh-poohed the idea of staying at a motel after the operation and suggested we drive home the next day. "She won't be feeling much on Saturday, so drive home then!"

Thursday March 17, 2016

David's birthday

Friday March 18, 2016

Up at 6:15 AM and at the hospital at 7:45 AM. A few interviews and a few more forms and then into preparation. The surgeon visited and marked her right ankle with permanent marker! She started with a red hat, but when it was changed to green, she was officially ready. I was asked to leave at about 10:30 AM.

 I had been told "3 to 4 hours" so I went for a walk and enjoyed a slap up breakfast. Back in the waiting room I was paged about 2:30 PM (Don't quote me) and met with the surgeon in a private room. He told me all went well and that they were 'stitching her up". (I assume the apprentice was attending to that.)

I was paged again about an hour later and led into "Recovery". She looked pretty pale and was a bit weepy but steadily improved. There was a nurse with us all the time. We were moved to her room on the 6th floor at about 5:00 PM.

Sleepy-head

Deidre ordered her dinner and ate the lot. She had not eaten for 24 hours, so no wonder. That gave her some energy and she was able to call her Mum in Australia and Kylie back in SC. Deidre was not in any pain but was obviously lethargic. We turned off the TV at about 10 PM.