escape from reality

We have been thoroughly enjoying our daily escapes from the hospital. The rather unpleasant accommodations of a hospital ward room are reason enough to desire a change in scenery. It is lovely to be able to share in our own private space. We still have our morning routine. I arrive at the hospital with a thermos of tea, or rather, some tea to go with James' sugar and cream. James wakes up slowly to take his medications and prepare for the day ahead. He has physiotherapy in the afternoon three times a week, but otherwise, James and I brace ourselves for the cold, and head across the street to our little apartment. (We still go home for a few hours on physiotherapy days, but without the leisure of an entire day to ourselves). 

Ophelia prances around the apartment, and James and I collapse into bed to sleep the day away. I've become entirely unproductive around the house. My chores take several days to even reach a point of consideration, but it is completely worth a long afternoon sleep with my husband. Nights are long in his absence. We both have been missing the company of a warm body at night (for snuggling purposes, of course). These afternoon naps have become a dream to look forward to on sleepless nights. 

We both find our spirits are lifted by these hours home together. There is no ambition to do anything more than simply be together. The hardest part of the day is returning to the hospital, and once again, leaving James for the night.

James is slowly re-gaining weight with a little more solids each day to eat. He is also rebuilding his strength. He is able to walk further distances, and be active and awake for longer periods of time. These are incredible feats for a man with twelve percent lung function. There are limitations to his energy, because of weakness and faitgue, but there is always motivation to keep pushing through the breathlessness. It amazes me. I know, I know, I am always gushing with pride. It is hard not to be proud.

It has been a few weeks since I have written about gratitude. With that, I am grateful (in no particular order, and certainly, a non-exclusive list):
 
I am grateful for access to universal health care.
I am grateful for access to and availability of healthy food and clean water.
I am grateful for a warm and safe shelter.
I am grateful for the small comforts of home. 
I am grateful for Ophelia (my feline companion).
I am grateful for the ability to experience and feel happiness.
I am grateful for the ability to experience and feel love.
I am grateful for strength and motivation (both my own, and James' enduring fight to survive).
I am grateful for friendships (and the embrace and support of the transplant and Cystic Fibrosis communities).
I am grateful for James' organ donor and organ donor family. (James is 20 months post-transplant. We cherish each and every day that is possible because of this courageous and generous act of organ donation).
I am grateful for James.
I am grateful for gratitude.