on September 3rd, 2017 by Rebeccca
It’s 4:00 in the morning and I can hear Galen in the kitchen checking out the food in the refrigerator. Good sign. He has an appetite. After losing 30 pounds in the last month because nothing would stay in his stomach, now we are working at getting some nutrition back into his body. And its a lot easier doing it from home!
We transferred from the Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon to our hospital here in Rosthern on Friday afternoon (September 1). We chose to go by car, rather than ambulance, as Galen likes to see what is happening. The crops that have been harvested, the progress of the overpass at Warman, the bird life that is congregating in the sloughs. He sees it all. It always amazes me the details he sees where I look at the broader landscape.
He spent the first night in the hospital while they sorted out what drugs he was taking and how he was taking them. Saturday we got a day pass, so he could come home after his 9 AM drugs. We were back at the hospital at noon for some injections, then they gave me a packet of pills for the afternoon, then he was back in again from 6 to 9 PM for some injections and IV. We asked about him coming home for the night and the doctor agreed, so we were sent home with drugs to take at midnight.
Then today (Sunday) they gave us pills to take instead of the injections (he has had trouble absorbing the medication in pill form, but we are trying it again as a step to being more independent from the hospital). We only have to go back in tonight at 9:00 for an injection.
We are hoping that on Tuesday, something can be arranged with homecare to come in for the medications that need to be injected. Then we don’t have to go traipsing into the hospital every morning and night.
So after more than 30 days in hospitals, Galen is so happy to be home. Right now he is sitting on the back porch, reading and enjoying the evening sun, watching people walk by. And we are getting some food into him. . . and he hasn’t vomited yet. Yay! And he can do some things like empty the dishwasher. Yay again!
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Galen
16 Responses to “The Green Green Grass of Home”
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September 3rd, 2017 at 5:59 pm
How wonderful to have this time at home together – Now all you have to do is keep the refrigerator stocked for his midnight forays!
Love and blessings -
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Sorry for this slow/late reply but I needed some one smarter than me to reply to a blog. I think I’ve got it. Small worries compared to yours. We were shocked and saddened to hear about Galen. Seemed not so long ago we talked at the Station. Glad he is home most of the time sharing precious time together. Been praying for both of you. Hugs and miracles to you. We’ll keep in touch.
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:49 pm
click your ruby slippers together and say there is no place like home
September 3rd, 2017 at 7:51 pm
So glad to hear you getting this time at home together. You are on my mind often, and have replayed many memories of times with you two. Always glad to read your post, and keep Delt in the loop with your posts. My prayers are with you, and much love to you guys.
September 3rd, 2017 at 8:26 pm
l am so glad you are able to be home and that he can keep food down.
September 3rd, 2017 at 9:46 pm
Where is the like button? This is awesome news!
September 3rd, 2017 at 10:50 pm
So good to hear that he has an appetite!
I know that you know…but nurture that with all your might!!
Apparently his body needs and wants nourishment!
YES!!
LIKE!!
September 4th, 2017 at 7:18 am
We’re so happy to hear you are at home and Galen is feeling better. It’s so comforting to read your blogs. Thank you Becky!
September 4th, 2017 at 7:34 am
Yay! Yay! Yay! See you Tuesday
September 4th, 2017 at 8:35 am
Glad you are home! Wish we could help you. We love you guys and are praying for you. Becky, you are such a trooper. Blessings to you! Of course the n in my gmail is lower case. Apareciste your updates. Give Galen a hug from us!
September 4th, 2017 at 11:27 am
Good news! Blessings to you both.
September 4th, 2017 at 11:29 am
Great to be home! Dave & I we out for a walk last evening and as we strolled past you home we seen Galen on the back porch reading his book. We stopped for a brief Hi & he said “ahh it’s the bowlers” with a huge smile
September 4th, 2017 at 5:52 pm
Galen and Rebecca
I just learned of your illness. I saw the email about this blog in my junk mail box and wanted to reach out.
I have often told stories about you two through the years – as recently as last week – whenever a conversation turns to people we’ve known who are unique, adventurous, inspiring and who live their lives true to who they are and what they believe in.
And
When I have an opportunity to teach someone a new skill, I very often think back on the day Galen taught me how to back up the big van and canoe trailer through the narrow bend at Devil Lake boat launch – by leaving me alone. He didn’t abandon me, but he didn’t hover or direct.
He quietly walked about picking up trash, smoking his pipe, pounding a campsite post back in after I backed over it – his attitude was no big deal, it happens!
He offered me a couple words of advice and left me to it again. Always a smile in the corners of his eyes. I felt supported, unrushed, and never judged, but celebrated when at last I succeeded.
I try to use the same approach when I find myself in a similar circumstance. Leadership and mentoring do not have to be forceful. Galen’s style plants trust and confidence in a person. Sometimes you need someone to believe in you before you can believe in yourself, even with small challenges like learning to back up a trailer. You never know how small or big an impact that unwaivering faith has on someone. Thank you!
I haven’t been in touch with you for years but you are ever present in my life yet; a gentle, joyful reminder to live my life with curiosity, integrity and passion. I think the world of both of you.
I am sending you lots of love as you take on this illness. I’m glad that you’re home and able to enjoy the beauty around you, good food and one another.
Shannon xo
September 4th, 2017 at 8:44 pm
This is so good to hear, that you are both home. I’m smiling.
September 6th, 2017 at 10:34 am
Hello my friend. I was in a new coffee shop in Victoria recently – (Yes ANOTHER coffee shop!!). It’s near Fisherman’s Wharf and one that prides itself on presenting the wealth of local riches. Inside, nicely displayed on a beautiful wooden table, were several copies of your book: Victoria Bench by Bench. My heart did a little happy dance. I saw the picture of Galen on the bench and my mind was transported back to you two – scouting around finding various kinds of benches, taking pictures and then you creating all the write ups. My mind went back further to the night you and I met at June Swadron’s apartment – nervously deciding if we’d join her writing group. I was glad I was paired with you as we began to gain confidence that yes, we are writers.
I am grateful now that you included me to receive this blog – sharing what is a very precious time. Know that I carry you both in my heart and my meditations. May you both continue to find the little breaths of joy in each day as you stay present to this moment.
September 7th, 2017 at 5:36 am
Dearest Rebecca and Galen. It is such a privilege to share this journey with you through Rebecca’s blog posts. You demonstrate such courage and beautiful humanity. I particularly love that Galen can unload the dishwasher now. That’s real progress. Sending love from Winnipeg.