He's home!
James was released Sunday afternoon. Praise the Lord! He is on some pretty hefty steroids to keep his lungs strong, but they felt comfortable enough with his improvement to allow him to go home. They'll keep close watch on him over the next week to make sure that the pneumonia has truly retreated.
He still has quite a recovery ahead of him, but he is so glad to be back to the comfort of home. I was reminded again of how pleasant it is to come home to comfort. I noted it after the miscarriage and subsequent surgery, and I saw it again as we returned home last night. You don't really notice it until there has been a lack of it. There is no comparison between a hospital room and a pleasantly appointed bed room. I could just see James relaxing for the first time in days as he slid under the cool soft sheets, with the ceiling fan blowing a light breeze. There was our quiet green painted walls and our favorite photographs to see just across the way, and a window out to our backyard to look at. We have soft lighting on either side of the bed...no overhead. Such a contrast to the dreary beige walls, harsh lighting, and rough sheets and blankets of the hospital! I think we often mistake a magazine perfect home with a friendly, comforting home. Sometimes they are the same things- being both pretty and functional, I mean. But I think it's so important to make sure your home is comfortable over being picture perfect. So what if the couch is the latest thing in furnishings- can you sink down in it with a good book and cuddle with the kids? Is it easy to clean? Will you often find a member of the family curled up on it? It truly doesn't take a lot of money, so much as it takes a bit of forethought and consideration. And isn't it interesting how a few pieces of home can make one feel comfortable in unpleasant settings? Your own pillow, the quilt from home...a favorite picture or two? And what little touches make a sick one feel better? A glass of water, an interesting book to read (or perhaps a new coloring book for a little one who must stay abed)...they only take a few minutes, but the little touches show how much the sick one is loved and cared for.
(Although, as James laughingly pointed out to one of the nurses, it won't be very long before we will return to the hospital- just a few weeks- but thankfully, it will be for a much happier reason. Only a few weeks until Bean makes his debut. My oldest, Ben, wanted to know why we didn't bring him home from the hospital yesterday, as he associates the hospital with me and having babies. What a giggle we had over that!)
He still has quite a recovery ahead of him, but he is so glad to be back to the comfort of home. I was reminded again of how pleasant it is to come home to comfort. I noted it after the miscarriage and subsequent surgery, and I saw it again as we returned home last night. You don't really notice it until there has been a lack of it. There is no comparison between a hospital room and a pleasantly appointed bed room. I could just see James relaxing for the first time in days as he slid under the cool soft sheets, with the ceiling fan blowing a light breeze. There was our quiet green painted walls and our favorite photographs to see just across the way, and a window out to our backyard to look at. We have soft lighting on either side of the bed...no overhead. Such a contrast to the dreary beige walls, harsh lighting, and rough sheets and blankets of the hospital! I think we often mistake a magazine perfect home with a friendly, comforting home. Sometimes they are the same things- being both pretty and functional, I mean. But I think it's so important to make sure your home is comfortable over being picture perfect. So what if the couch is the latest thing in furnishings- can you sink down in it with a good book and cuddle with the kids? Is it easy to clean? Will you often find a member of the family curled up on it? It truly doesn't take a lot of money, so much as it takes a bit of forethought and consideration. And isn't it interesting how a few pieces of home can make one feel comfortable in unpleasant settings? Your own pillow, the quilt from home...a favorite picture or two? And what little touches make a sick one feel better? A glass of water, an interesting book to read (or perhaps a new coloring book for a little one who must stay abed)...they only take a few minutes, but the little touches show how much the sick one is loved and cared for.
(Although, as James laughingly pointed out to one of the nurses, it won't be very long before we will return to the hospital- just a few weeks- but thankfully, it will be for a much happier reason. Only a few weeks until Bean makes his debut. My oldest, Ben, wanted to know why we didn't bring him home from the hospital yesterday, as he associates the hospital with me and having babies. What a giggle we had over that!)
So glad you're home! Your room sounds pretty...I've yet to see it -;).
Posted by: Rachel Pearson | June 29, 2009 at 11:51 AM
Praise God!
Posted by: Pam | June 29, 2009 at 02:09 PM
Thanking God for answered prayers! Take care, Donna
Posted by: Donna Rae Barrow | June 29, 2009 at 02:47 PM
So glad he is home and on the mend.
I had a chuckle at your sons association with the hospital and babies.
Posted by: Sandi | June 29, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Believe it or not I prayed for you. I know I know. huh what? Im glad to see he is doing well. God bless
Posted by: Jimmy | June 30, 2009 at 06:14 PM