Wednesday is Humpday--no setbacks today

Maybe we're over the hump, after all.

Now that Judy is off the morphine and other Happy Juices, we regularly read the blog and the comments that you send, and they make her tear up. Judy is such a humble person who's always done what she has done to serve and please others, and you guys put her in the passenger seat. I don't think she is yet ready to acknowledge that she has touched so many people in such a positive way that the outpouring of love from all of you is not something to be embarrassed about.

Her brother Mike joined her sis-in-law Candace today by driving up from Midland, and together they almost forgot that Judy is in the hospital. I used the break to deal with insurance issues, ride my bike for a few miles, and grade my students' latest set of stellar papers. Who said ouch?

Judy had another good day, but it was not without some mental trials. Together with her good friend Liz D., who herself had some pretty nasty back surgery a few weeks ago, we all took Judy to the park across the street from Covenant. Not only did Judy enjoy the sunshine while being pushed around in the wheelchair, but she walked with her IV tower for quite a while. Lubbock's weather right now is perfect!

The Little Bit (as Ms. Eddie calls her) had a little meltdown, though. She had hoped sooooo much to get rid of the NG tube, but, after consulting the docs' orders, the nurses told her that she'd have to be ready for that, and to prove that, Judy would have to slurp up a whole 240-ml bowl of vegetable broth. Now, those of you who are even somewhat close ot me know that I eat pretty much anything. Man, I tried that broth and thought that I had swalled a spoonful of Dead Sea brine! (I've been there. I'm allowed to use this analogy.) No way to eat that crap, and even if it had tasted better, you just cannot eat 240 ml (pint) of broth if you've had nothing but ice and water for two weeks. No way. Judy just freaked. She wanted to get rid of the damn tube but she (thankfully!!!) realized that trying to force down the broth was going to set her back a day or two becaue she would have puked it all up, had she even been able to slurp it all up. Oh, she was so down. Additionally, let's not forget that her hormone are probaly all over the place. considering all the female parts that were lost to surgery.

And when things get really bad, and even sisters-in-law and husbands can provide only so much ointment for the soul, then a little angel in the form of Natalie shows up. Judy's former placement student and protegée--all barely-90-pounds of her--snuggled up with Judy in her bed (OK, she had just come from yoga class and was still pliable) and gave her the sweetest talking-to this side of being a husband. The bond between the two was, well, palpable. I suppose we have two "step-daughters": Emily AND Natalie. What lucky people we are.

And now it is almost midnight and I better post this update because from all your e-mails and comments I know you have come to expect news--and I still have to write my e-mail to our German friends and family.

Jürgen