Released with Visitors

Finally, in November, I was released from the hospital. It was so nice to be free! Now, as Carina mentioned, my mom left Cincinnati to go be with Carina for a few weeks while she was at the end of her pregnancy. It was pretty difficult for me when she left, but I also had some backup fly in! Specifically Joyce, Dave's mom, came in to help. Also, my best friend, Loren, and my grandmother, Matto came to take care of/visit me, too!

It was amazing to have Joyce there. And since my brain is a little fuzzy, I think it would be best if she could remember for me.
----------
I wasn't quite prepared for what would unfold over an extended winter weekend spent in Cincinnati. Excited about seeing Gena, knowing she was in the midst of her very long journey to recovery.  I was thinking a lot about our reunion. What I hadn't expected was that I would be reconnecting with a rather fragile and frail young woman, who was miles from the vibrant teen that I had spent time with just several months before. When I signed on to keep Gena company, so Mercedes' mom would be with Carina and Jason,  I planned on playing a few board games and maybe watching some old movies together.  Instead, I would witness Gena work so hard simply to draw enough strength to stand from the sofa. Dave and Mercedes' butler pantry would become a satellite pharmacy with vials and syringes and medications that appeared way too much for a petite person.  I wanted to help in some way, but when I looked deep into Gena's tired and beautiful eyes, I saw the perseverance and fight that she possessed.
Yes, we had the thrill and anticipation of waiting for Jim and Val's first grandchild, and for Matto a great grandchild. Such delight! But at the other end of the spectrum, Matto and I would prepare a quiet cup of tea as we shared stories of family and life, whispering the time away and hoping Gena would be comfortable for that hour.  And at center of it all was a wonderful father, adoringly caring for his daughter, fiercely wishing that he could trade places with his little girl, but in truth, the very best thing he did for her was to give her better medical care than any doctor or nurse ever could have provided. (Sorry, Dave and Mercedes!)
At last, Carina was in labor.  The house was alive with excitement.  That night, we all went to sleep, dreaming of sweet little babies, only to wake to the wonderful news of Sophia's arrival.  A beautiful baby girl would begin the next generation of the Dullum family.  This would be the shot of adrenalin that would ignite Auntie Gena.  That very morning would be one I will remember for my lifetime. Since her return home from the hospital, Gena was bound to the main level of the house because of the climb of a full flight of steps. But a burst of joy at Sophia's arrival and the promise of the bright future caused Gena to defy any challenge.  The stage was set...We all glared at that endless staircase.  Yes, Jim's brilliant idea of blasting the Rocky theme from his laptop, began the feat.  Matto and I clapped and cheered from the living room, louder than any major sporting event could garner!  Step by step, Gena would climb that mountain, fearlessly forging upwards. Nothing could get in her way.
As I slid into my seat on the United Embraer, heading back to New Jersey.  I smiled and teared at the same moment, as I reflected on a very special weekend spent with a very remarkable person!
----------
Having Joyce there was a life saver. As she said, I was very weak. I could barely (and sometimes not even) lift myself off of the couch or a chair without help. I was "training" to do steps by wearing a belt around my waist so that someone (like Joyce, my dad, my sister, my mom, etc.) could hold on to me in case I fell.  As Joyce said, Sophia had come and everyone was happy. That was my first motivation to get up the stairs- I was happy for one of the first times in a while. My second motivation was that my best friend- Loren- was coming to visit me in Cincinnati and I needed something to show for myself. My final motivation was that I was bribed. That's right- bribed. Ali Kwiatkowski, Dave's sister, Joyce's daughter, my great friend, had gone to seen Wicked (my favorite musical) and had gotten the cast to sign a poster for me wishing me well. It was so generous of her to take the time to do that for me- so truly special. I think that's when I knew Ali and I would be the best of friends.

So everyone cheered me on as the Rocky theme song played in the background. My dad and Dave flanked me in case I fell. But I didn't. It was one of the hardest climbs I've ever had to do- both physically and mentally. I left the main floor so that I could finally sleep in a real bed after months of sleeping on a couch or blow up bed. I couldn't have done it without everyone. By no means was my climb pretty, but I did it. I literally had to grab on to the hand railing with both hands in order to help hoist myself up one stair at a time. BUT I DID IT. And I think everything really did start getting better from there.