Hey, creative minds!

We need your help. On Monday Laura is scheduled to have her staples removed, all 69 of them. She wants to keep them but she isn't sure how. That's where you come in. What would you do with them? Keep 'em in a transparent container? Make a sculpture out of them? Use them to build something? We want ideas. If you can't write on the blog, email me at mfkohn@aol.com
No prize, but everlasting glory--your name in the blog. Staples: Yeah, we've got that.
More seriously, Laura says her days consist of wildly fluctuating ups and downs but the one constant is your encouragement and affection. You can't overestimate how much this means to her.
Marty

At home

Slowly, Laura improves each day, although she's still thirsty, itchy and in pain. The narcotics alleviate the pain and cause the other two conditons. She's been seen by a visiting nurse and an occupational therapist and they both say she is doing well.
We appreciate all your offers of food and assistance. We will gratefully take you up on offers of assistance (we'll let you know) but please channel your food generosity toward Gleaners, Yad Ezra or the food bank of your choice. We are well provisioned.
Thank you and keep on the sunny side.
Marty

She's home

Laura has left the building and is reacquainting herself with the comforts of home. If you're looking for oxycodone stay away from the CVS at 11Mile and Coolidge: they're out. I finally got her prescription filled at another drugstore; it was past her time for her next pain medication but she managed.
World's best thing to say to telemarketers: My wife is in the hospital and I can't deal with anything else. Stops 'em dead.
When Laura can negotiate stairs (tough negotiatiors, those stairs) she'll come up and take over the blog. Until then, I'll continue posting updates, you continue to keep on the sunny side. The thing that really counts happened today.
Laura's back.

She's going home tomorrow!

Cleared for takeoff, Laura will be going home tomorrow (Wednesday), on her birthday. She can walk up and down stairs and get in and out of bed by herself. She and Junior Walker have been tearing up the hallways. Laura's mom, with her now, can't get over how straight and tall she is. We are all ecstatic. She has a lot of recovering to do, visits from nurses and physical therapists, follow-up appointments (one with a staple remover) but she's going home!
Thanks for all your good thoughts (don't stop now) and keep on the sunny side.
Marty

In true Motown style...

Laura took a few steps yesterday with a youth-size walker (she's not THAT tall) which she immediately named Junior Walker. Thought you'd like to know.

A Note From Laura

Dearest Friends and Family,
Thanks can never be enough for walking this walk with Marty and me. It's a painful sunny side but I thank you for being there with me.

She sleeps

Laura finally had a restful night and looks terrific. The doctors said she looks better every day. We took a very short walk in the hall this morning which tired her out. Two of her three drains--the little plastic hand grenades that collect blood and ick (medical term)--have been removed and the third one is due out today. Also gone is the port in her neck that looked painful.
The overnight campout was very successful except they wouldn't let us toast marshmallows because of all the oxygen. Something about the hospital burning down. I'm spending the day doing necessary evils, like mowing the lawn.
Send good thoughts our way and keep on the sunny side.