Our first week home

Wow where do I start. Sooooo many feeling of happiness and joy followed by complete and utter exhaustion...lol Thats how I feel.

As many of you know, we got all moved into our new home on Thursday June 10th.. A HUGE thank you to my parents, Aunt Debby, Jimmy, my brothers and sister Terry, Brian, and Annette, and my friends Bobbi Lynn and her boyfriend Bobby for helping us with the move. You have all had a hand in making our new place a home. I truly couldn't have done it without you... and P.S.... I never want to again :)

Kevin was relased on Friday June 11th. I remember getting in the car and thinking the whole way there that this was the last time I'm gonna have to make this drive without him. It really hit me when I took my parking sub from the parking garage. Thats right folks, the parking garage made me boohoo. Oh this was just the beginning. I cried when I got into the elevator and hit the number 6 for the last time, and I cried when I got to the rehab center and pressed the button for permission to enter for the last time. Then I see Kevin sitting in the hallway and the first thing he said to me was.. "Ok, go pack up my stuff!!" Ha! That made me laugh. I've only been packing for the last month..what's one more room..lol So we did. And can I just say that over the last 4 1/2 months we had a huge collection of pictures, cards, gift, toys and personal belongings. I had to make 2 trips to load up my truck. After all of that and the equipment they sent us home with, I barley had room for Kevin..oops! It was a very emotional goodbye from all the different therapist and nurses. I have to say a special thank you to a very special nurse Salandra. She was the nurse that admitted us, so it was only fitting she was the nurse to discharge us. Kevin's stay was defiantly a longer than normal stay from what they usually see in rehab. That is thanks in part to our wonderful insurance company that continued to follow Kevin's progress so closley and of course prayer. When Kevin first arrived at the rehab center he was only approved for an initial 10 day trial period to see if he could keep up with the program. They told me personally that they did not expect Kevin to be able to do the work because of the severity of the bleed, and that it was more likely we would need to find a nursing home for him. That was something I really fought hard for and boy did we prove them wrong!!! Each and every week Kevin suprised them with his determination to do everything asked of him. No doubt he complained, but he continued to push himself until he accomplished what he put his mind to. The therapist there literally taught Kevin how to walk and talk again. I can't express my gratitude to each and every one of them. They will always be like family to us because they are part of the reason we have OUR family back together again. After several hugs goodbye and a looooong list of instructions and prescriptions... WE'RE OFF! So Long St Pete!!!

We pulled up to our new apartment and I went to the back to get the wheelchair out when Kevin stopped me and said " No, I'm gonna walk in" And thats just what he did. He stepped up a curb and walked to our front door. As soon as he walked thru the doorway Maya started yelling.." MY DADDYS HOME!!!" Then she ran to him and gave him a big ole squeeze. It was precious. Kevin walked right in and went to his recliner where he set up shop and just soaked everything in. Kevin really likes our new place. Everything is very easy for him to move about to, and get this... He hasn't used his wheelchair once since we've been home!! Not even to sit in it. He walks around with his Hemi Walker. Pretty cool huh?

The first week home has been both fun and challenging. Kevin has adjusted well, but I'm still struggling a little. I watch him like a new mother does when you bring your first child home from the hospital. Yes, I even check to make sure he's breathing..lol Its a lot to keep track of 10 different medications, making sure he takes the right ones at the right time. And I'm constantly affraid I'm going to do something wrong or hurt him in some way helping him take a shower or get him dressed, but so far so good. The only difficulties we have had so far is when he and Maya start to bicker. Its amazing how a 33 year old man and a 3 year old child can be very much on the same level sometimes. I actually had to seperate them once for looking at each other the wrong way. I had enough of the arguing and put Maya in one room and Kevin in another and made them stay that way for at least 30 mins...lol Its like I have 2 children sometimes. I'm pretty sure Kevin is doing this on purpose because he wants to see me pull my hair out.
We have a Physical Therapist and an Occupational Therapist come to the house 3 times a week so Kevin continues to work on his mobility. I still see improvement in Kevin everyday, even since we've been home. I think getting out of that hospital atmosphere and having his familiar surrounding around him have really helped him feel like his usual self again. I continue to thank God for allowing us to be where we are today..together agian on this Fathers Day. And for Kevin's continued progress. Its no doubt he is a walking miracle. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support.

Love Kim