Preparing to come home

Every day presents a new challenge for Teresa and her recovery. Under no circumstances do we take anything for granted these days.

With that said, everything is a go for her discharge from the Colorado Acute Long Term Hospital on Dec. 13. Teresa is still a paraplegic, but she has shown good improvement and we're hoping and praying that in this next month she will continue to do so.

The plan is for her to come home. If that happens, it will be the first time she has set foot in our house in 14 months. If she is home for Christmas, it will be the first time she will be able to celebrate at home with family in three years. Two years ago she had complications from her back fusion and they had to go back in for surgery two days before Christmas. Last year she was just beginning her stay at Colorado Acute. Just a week after Christmas, she had her bowel diverticulum surgery that really sent her in a health tailspin.

As could be expected, Teresa will be coming home to a different house that she left or has lived in for about 18 years. This house was obviously not built (late 1950s) for the disabled. The doorways are small and the bathroom is not much more than the size of a big closet.

She'll be in a wheelchair. The hope is that she graduates to a walker and then be able to walk on her own. It's like a doctor told me one day, "Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst." If Teresa never gets on her feet on her own, we have to deal with it.

Because of that, there's a ton of work to be done to get her ready to come home. The idea is to make it as comfortable as possible so she can begin a new life. She deserves it.

In all that, we have decided to make some other changes as well. I have been working as a news copy editor at the Wyoming Tribune Eagle since March 2010. I gave my notice last week and will finish out my job there on Sunday.

I had decided a while back that once Teresa was able to come home, I would too, in a sense. Although I never left Laramie, it often seemed like it commuting to Cheyenne every day (and coming home after midnight) and then spending my days off in Denver. Under no circumstances would I continue to do that with Teresa home. Although I will work, I need to be at just 5 minutes away instead of 45 minutes (or more in bad weather or stranded in Cheyenne). I couldn't handle it.

It's a scary situation quiting a job with benefits before getting another one, especially these days. I have some possible opportunities in the works, but nothing concrete in comparison financially.

The other night I had talked to Teresa on the telephone and a few minutes later she texted me back asking me if something was bothering me. She said I sounded depressed.

I admitted that I had been thinking about things (life) and I had guessed that I was just anxious. Of course, I didn't have to explain anxious to my wife. I would imagine that every minute of her life now is that way for her.

But she asked me anyway why I was anxious.

Let's see, I said. "There's money (getting another job), getting the house ready in time (physically and financially) and of course, you coming home and your health. That should probably do it for a while."

As could be expected, Teresa was able to knock some sense back into me like she always does.

"Quit worrying," she texted. "We will be able to eat. We will not lose our house. No one will sleep on the floor except Sam (our dog). Now comes the fun part. We will be a family again and have Xmas together. I get to take care of you. No worries. Have an Ativan."

No Ativan for me. My wife makes me feel better. And sleep. I can't wait for both to come home.