Blog Dread

definition of "Dread"- to be reluctant or frightened to do something because it is unpleasant, upsetting, or annoying.

Blogging is really none of these things, but I have been avoiding it like the plague. I do NOTHING worth blogging about, honestly. I sub, I sit, I read, I walk my dog, I sleep, I stare, I eat, I sleep, I eat, I sleep : )

This past week was spent doing a lot of these things but in a more blog-worthy venue.

Of course you've heard of our time spent in the hospital in Columbus. If not, here's the recap:

THURSDAY: Jace had an awful, terrible, ouchie throat for a few days and in getting it checked out, they found that his white blood cell count was down to next to nothing! He was unable to fight infection on his own so off we went to the OSU Medical Center for them to pump him full of fluids and antibiotics. Carol and I stopped at home, packed up a few things, and made it to Columbus around midnight. We had to wear a mask anytime that we were in the room and that got old pretty quickly. That night was spent attempting to sleep while nurses and doctors popped in every couple of hours. Sleep was difficult, but thank goodness we had a double room to ourselves and I snuck into the extra bed (only to bolt out anytime I heard the door creak open)

FRIDAY: More IV, more sleep attempts, mask breathing, nothing too exciting. Carol and I hung tight and tried our best to keep Jace's spirits up throughout all of the blood draws, sore throat, and his annoyance of having to repeat himself to every person who walked in. He was unable to even swallow water without wincing! They continued to bring him these rediculous trays of food throughout our stay with things that he could not swallow. That was definitly the most frustrating part of our stay. Bring the man some soup!! I began texting people who I knew lived in Columbus around 4 o'clock and BEGGING for a place to shower. Jace's fantastic cousin Kara called me back and offered me not only a shower, but a place to stay where I didn't have to wear a mask/drool catcher all night long! Thanks again Kara! I was so lucky to have you this weekend! I wish I would have taken more pictures of our time together, but I did grab this one of my other favorite weekend roomie, Peanut : ) She helped satisfy my doggie-itis.. (aka I missed Gibby!) Thank goodness my mom was able to take care of her while we were gone!

SATURDAY: More of the same. Kara took me to some of her favorite spots around Columbus on Saturday and it was so great to have some girl time to help me forget how much I missed being home. I felt slightly guilty spending time away from the hospital and actually enjoying myself while Jace was STUCK, but he's a good man and was glad that I got out for awhile. Our room had the most AmAzInG view of the stadium. It was so neat to watch the stands of the "shoe" fill up before the big OSU/Iowa game. GO BUCKS! Way to pull through!

SUNDAY: Kara and I went to church, a coffee shop, and fantastic bookstore on Sunday morning and then buzzed over to the hospital where we were joined by Carol, Dana, and Alex. By this time, he had been moved into a tiny, stinky, single room with very little seating but we managed to squeeze in. Kara went back to her home and husband in Ironton that evening and offered her place to me again, but I felt it was time to tough it out in the hospital again. That evening, after everyone left, Jace and I passed the time with cards and television. We rested on the hope of going home the next day until the doctor came in and let us know that it would most likely be Tuesday. The stress of the weekend hit me at about 1 am when his beeping IV machine woke me from a decent sleep in an awful recliner. I lost it and sobbed/bawled/sniffled in my mask which was begging to be thrown across the room at this point. Poor Jace didn't know what to do. He's sitting in a hospital bed with an IV in his arm and patting my hand with the other and all I can say is "I SNIFF want SNIFF to go SNIFF home!" Pretty rediculous.

MONDAY: We were given the fantastic news that the masks could come off and were even able to go for a nice walk around campus! Jace was so glad to get some fresh air and stretch his legs. We walked to Urban Outfitters (a fun, hippyish store) and picked up a Where's Waldo book collection which kept us busy and hunting for our little striped friend for hours : ) I also left for a bit to see Alex's home away from home. It made me miss college living for about .2 seconds. I got over that pretty quick! haha.

TUESDAY: We woke up around 8 and his fever was gone for the second full day so we were pretty sure we were going to go home soon! The doctor came in around 11 and although he was reluctant to send us home because they still had no idea what Jace had and had no explaination for his crazy white blood cells, he told us that they would start the exit paperwork! We were both so happy to be going home to our home and dog that the wait for the paperwork to be completed was torture! Luckily they finished early and we FINALLY got to head home!

You should have seen Gibby when she saw us. She ran from Jace to me and back about 10 times. She was as happy to see us as we were to be home again. It's good to be loved : ) Oh, AND we came home to cards and a FaNtAsTiC banner hanging on our wall welcoming us home from Beth and the kids! : P

NOW: His temp has been normal and he went back to work on Wednesday night! I can't wait to spend some time with him this weekend and recoup from our crazy week. Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers! We have an amazing support system and are THANKFUL for each and everyone of you. Speaking of thankful..... bring on that pumpkin pie!!