home, alas

A: James is home. He came home on Friday night. It has been a long seven months in hospital.

J: I still can't believe I made it.

A: It is absolutely surreal. I wake in the night to look at him. It is amazing to have him home, beside me, and alive. James is alive.

J: I am just happy to be home and sleeping in my own bed.

A: We anticipate challenges ahead of us, but these will pale in comparison to the last few months. James is still very weak, and becomes short of breath on exertion. He has lost a lot of weight in these last few weeks. Nevertheless, it has been amazing to witness James' daily progress. Only a few months ago, James couldn't put on a pair of socks, or move from sitting to standing without needing five minutes to recover. I love watching him move around the apartment without the constraints of oxygen tubing. This is freedom at its best.

J: I am really looking forward to physiotherapy and getting back in the habit of exercising 3 times a week.

A: We will still be at the hospital every day of the week. It will be exhausting, but I am looking forward to the transition back to some form of normalcy. I feel lost amongst the changes, but these are changes that deserve embrace.

J: I love being home.  I don't know what else to say, I am just super happy with how things are going.

A: It is truly unbelievable.

J: Thank you to everyone, including my donor, for all your love and support!

A + J: Love, love, love