hospital stay

I seriously cannot say enough good things about the hospital and staff with Rich and his surgery. The surgery center is Idaho Doctors Hospital  and used to be a birthing center. Dr. Allen and his partners own it now and it is just a spine center. It is a little place and the nurses told me the most patients they have ever is 6-8 but is is usually around 4. There were 3 including Rich when we were in there. This means beyond excellent care for the patients. There is two day nurses one RN and one CNN and also 2 night nurses. They are extremely pleasant and professional. Because there is so few patients the nurses have a lot of extra time and they are willing to come in and visit and spend as much time as needed. Any time we needed anything at all the nurses were there in under 5 minutes. You could tell they genuinely cared.

They also have the most amazing food ever. Seriously who says that about a hospital. Everything was fresh and amazing. I felt bad Rich didn't feel better to enjoy it. The hospital provided me one free meal a day, either lunch or dinner. Tues night they brought me bow-tie pasta Alfredo with chicken and all these fresh vegetables mixed in plus cheesecake. The next night I had the most amazing smoked Gouda chicken wrapped in bacon. Seriously it was better then anything any 5 star restaurant could put out. It was served with this fluffy yummy rice a green salad fresh steamed veggies and this chicken. I was so so stuffed but  I couldn't stop eating. We wont even discuss the apple crisp and ice cream I had for desert. I felt so bad Rich was having a really bad day with a lot of pain and didn't want anything to eat. I could have happily let him stay there another week so I could eat. HAHA I'm kidding (or am I?)

Wed. night I was getting ready to go home and the massage school showed up to give free massages to the patients and anyone else. I seriously could not believe it. Once again Rich was so miserable he didn't want anyone messing with him and wanted to sleep but I was all about a free massage. She massaged my neck, shoulders, arms, and hands. It was pure heaven. Even the nurses got massages!

Tuesday and Wed. night I knew Rich was in excellent hands with the nurses so I was able to come home and get some great rest. it was hard leaving him but at the same time I knew I had to take care of me while someone was able to take care of him because once we got home I was the care giver and  there was no one to help me. Smart choice, it has been a rough 5 days since he has been home but each day is getting better and he is getting stronger.

 Beautiful flowers the staff had delivered to him.

 little itty bitty ketchup and mustard. They cracked me up.

 My smoked chicken Gouda wrapped in bacon dinner. My mouth is watering just looking at this picture

 Rich taking a walk outside at our house without his walker and also getting some much enjoyed fresh air on the patio. Its amazing what a good mood he was in after spending 20 min outside.