1/1/10 Friday update

[Gay Haldeman]

It's been an odd and interesting week.  For four straight days they  
took Joe off food and drink for long hours so they could do radiology  
tests and procedures.  He was hungry and thirsty all the time.  Then  
he only had tests on two of the days.  Finally the surgeons and  
radiologists decided not to do any procedures.  The antibiotics seem  
to be working well.  He's feeling quite well, so when they unhook him  
from the IVs, he wanders the halls, trying to build up his strength.   
Finally last night they told him he's coming home with the IVs!   
Tomorrow, Saturday, a  nurse will get us set up and Joe will come  
home!  And I'll learn to deal with IV antibiotics twice a day...

The New Year's Eve party went off here as usual.  Niece Lore and Tim  
and sister-in-law Barbara pitched in and did all the planning,  
shopping and arranging.  Tim even tackled cleaning up the garage  
after he had the party all set up.  They were wonderful.  I did very  
little but enjoy the party.  About 40 people came, a smaller than  
usual crowd.  Almost everyone brought food so the fridge is over  
stuffed with great leftovers.

A little before midnight, Doris Nabors and I sneaked out with a  
bottle of alcohol-free champagne and went to Joe's room at the  
hospital.  He was awake, making the nurse laugh.  Doris, Joe and I  
went down the hall to the tiny lounge, watched the ball fall in Times  
Square and toasted the New Year.

Back at the party, lots of folks had pitched in to put stuff away and  
clean up.  I hit the sack at 2AM.

Up this morning at 8, yawn.  Lore, Tim, Barbara, Chris and Sharon  
arrived at 9 and Chris built two wonderful egg casseroles, one with  
meat and the other without and cooked pounds of bacon.  Lore brought  
bread, bagels and spreads and Barbara brought oranges and  
tangerines.  We fed 13 people.

I'd been worried about where to seat Joe comfortably when he got  
home.  We desperately need a new, higher sofa.  Christina went out  
shopping today and found the perfect one, two recliners included.   
After visiting Joe, the Tackaberrys and I went to see the couch and I  
bought it and a new coffee table.

Bill Hutchinson and Jennifer Johnson came to the hospital and did a  
private concert of wonderful music for Joe, Sharon, Mike and me (and  
a few nurses).  It was so much fun.  Joe's having lots of company in  
relays today.  He's in great spirits, ready to come home.  Hope they  
let him go early.

Happy New Year to everyone!  Love, Gay