home in the distant future?

I confess. I still have not taken photographs, but the intention is still there. We are busy. We are busy living. We are simply loving all our time and enjoying the sweet moments together in our shared space. A few hours at the hospital here or there do not ruin the day. We read together in the park and peruse bookstores, go for evening walks (with the incentive of ice cream on a summer night), cuddle up with movies (and our latest discovery of pure deliciousness: popcorn drizzled with chocolate), attend to our very demanding feline, and are re-discovering a love for cooking and meals together. (It shouldn't be a surprise that I am the one gaining all the weight that falls from James without a constant stream of calories). 

What else is there to share? The Transplant Team is pleased with James' progress (and there is no reason to argue). James remains a celebrity at the hospital. We love being able to share in his health with his dedicated team(s). We meet ICU nurses in the elevators, perfusionists by Starbucks, and doctors in the hallways. Everyone glows with happiness for a real success. There are always a lot of hugs and smiles, and even some wet eyes. We have come a long way from our seven months in hospital. It is a relief to be able to leave the hospital with James by my side. 

Other news? James continues to excel in the Treadmill Room. He has doubled his time on the treadmill and stationary bicycle, and increased all of his weights. We continue to navigate through an insane schedule of tests and appointments. James and I are still holding out for hope that his lung function will improve with time, but that is not to suggest disappointment or discouragement. We are on the right track and moving in the right direction. The same can be said about all aspects of his health.

Did I mention the best news of all? We have been given permission to head back home to British Columbia after James' 3-month post-transplant assessments. That's right. James can complete his mandatory physiotherapy back in Victoria. We are going home in about a month. Can you imagine? It is completely surreal. I don't think I can even begin to process the last year in Toronto. It is still a shock. I am still in shock (with some ICU-induced PTSD for the sake of being pathological). When will it feel real? Will it take an airplane ticket (and a miserable feline under my seat)? What about sleeping in our own bed? How with Dorothy, Xanadu, and Bombay react? (I am certain it will be with feline indifference). We are thrilled, to say the least. 

Thank you for coming along for the ride. Love, love, love.