No Pressure Here

Sometimes you just have to wonder if any thought goes into certain decisions. Like why did Brigham and Women's Hospital decide to install an Au Bon Pain in the Lobby? Au Bon PAIN? In a hospital? Kelly is convinced that it must be a cruel joke. You do have to wonder what they were thinking.

Scrawled across Kelly's chest in magic marker is "No Pressure Here". No pressure? Really? I mean there couldn't be more pressure when you have to face all that Kelly has had to face lately. Couldn't they have just written "Don't Press Here" and leave it at that? Really. No pressure, huh? What were they thinking?

It has been a long day. Kelly is doing very well, even a little ahead of the curve. She is doing very well, but don't think for one moment that any of it is easy. She hurts. A lot. She is able to get out of bed, get to the bathroom and even walk the halls now. It takes every ounce of strength she has. It drains her. She gets tired of hearing us encourage her to get up, to eat something, to take a little nap. She is uncomfortable lying on her back all day and night. She hates the compression cuffs she must wear on her legs; the flapping johnnie gown, the oxygen up her nose. And who can blame her? No pressure here.

Kelly is a bit apprehensive about coming home tomorrow. She knows that she is doing well. She knows that healing at home is preferable to staying in the hospital. Still......she will have to rely on Eric, Tom and I to assist her until she is strong enough to take care of herself. We will be responsible for certain medical procedures round the clock except for the short time the visiting nurse will be here. Kelly knows that we have had instruction from the nurses and the physical therapist and we have received high marks. But she also knows our experience is severely limited and it doesn't take much jostling to cause her discomfort. I think the hospital represents a certain amount of security. Coming home will take courage and we will all experience some pressure. But this too shall pass.

Ever day brings new milestones and increased strength. Each day brings more independence. Each day brings Kelly closer to returning to a "normal" life. We will continue to work together to see that it happens. Will we have tense moments? Sure, but so what? It won't be long before this will all be behind us and we will move on to new pressures.