JANE
Today marks two months in the hospital. Two long and difficult months. However it was almost over, you were set to be discharged tomorrow. Tom and Ben were at home setting things up for your arrival. Making room for your new bipap machine and the extra oxygen tanks and your shiny new wheelchair. Setting the living room up for more of a permanent spot for you seeing as it was a shorter walk to the restroom and kitchen.
Ben and Sophie had rented a house just down the street from you so they could help out with your care as much as they could.
Sophie was currently sitting with you while the boys set up the house. She was painting your nails for you, a light pink color. It was nice to have some girl time now that you were feeling a little more like yourself. A welcome distraction from the fact that your pager could go off at any minute.
"So how are you feeling? Your only about two or three months away from cumberbaby, right?" You ask with a grin.
Sophie gives a chuckle before answering. "Yes around then. I'm feeling ok. I'm a little tired more often and I have been craving strawberry cheesecake and ham and cheese sandwiches."
"Do you need to go home and rest? I'm fine. Tom is just silly with this babysitter thing."
"No no dear I'm fine. I slept in today. And I don't think it's all that silly. Wouldn't you feel better if he was with someone you trusted if he were in the hospital?"
She had a point, but after being in the hospital so long and so often, you were friends with all the staff. "Yes I suppose that's true."
Sophie twisted the cap back on the polish. "There all done."
You look down at your hands and feel a little prettier and more yourself. "Thank you Sophie. It feels good to be a little pretty again."
"You're welcome dear. I can do your hair too if you'd like."
"No no I'm ok. Maybe after we get home and I can use my nice shampoos and can have a hot shower."
"Not a problem. So how about some lunch? Want to order in?"
"Whatever you and cumberbaby want is fine with me."
She smiles and stands to go to the nurses station for the menu book.
You lean back, tired from simply sitting up. Having only 22% lung function was exhausting. Sophie waddled back into the room, her ever growing baby belly slowing her down a bit, and sat down next to you on the edge of the bed. Looking at you a bit curiously.
"You ok, dear?"
You nod. "Yes just a little tired. Can you order me the chicken and broccoli, please?"
She gives a light smile. "Of course. I'm feeling some sweet and sour chicken myself."
While Sophie orders your nurse comes in with your lunch medications and to do your vitals.
"How are you feeling, Jane?" She asks you while she puts on the blood pressure cuff.
"A little tired, but ok overall."
She nods with a smile, pressing buttons on the monitor. "That's what I like to hear. Your medicine is on your table for when your lunch arrives. And if you're done with the menu I can take it back."
You nod and then place your head back on the pillow, letting your eyes close for just a minute before Sophie speaks.
"Jane dear, why don't you take a little nap and I'll wake you when lunch is here?"
You nod slightly before drifting off to sleep.
TOM
Jane was napping while you were packing up the room you've spent the last month and a half in. Yesterday was spent preparing the house for Jane's arrival back home, with Ben's help of course.
Him and Sophie were currently back at the house for a little surprise welcome home for Jane.
As you zip up the final suitcase you sit and watch Jane sleep. Watch the shallow rise and fall of her chest, the pager clipped to the side of her leggings. You wish it would go off right here and now. It was impossible not to think about it. One little beep from that and your lives could change forever. Of course there's always the possibility of what they call a "dry run". Which is when the lungs are not suitable for transplantation. You hoped that wouldn't happen to you and Jane. To get things all set and ready only to have it come crashing down.
The nurse coming in with Jane's discharge papers brings you from those thoughts. You smile as you walk over to gently wake Jane from her sleep.
"Darling? It's time to go. The nurse is here with papers for you to sign and then we can go home."
She looks up at you sleepily and you help her to sit up at the end of the bed. She scribbles her signature and gives a smile at the nurse. "Thank you so much."
The nurse, whose name was Rose, gives a gentle smile back. "It was a pleasure taking care of you. I'm so thrilled you can go home. I'll help you to the car."
You go to help Jane to the wheelchair and Rose takes the handles and wheels her out of the room while you handle the suitcases.
After loading up the trunk you turn to thank Rose and help Jane into the car, and you see the look of joy on her face. A face that hasn't been outside those four hospital walls in two months. You hold back tears and thank Rose and get your wife in the car. After collapsing her wheelchair and fitting it in the backseat, you return to the drivers side and smile at her.
She leans in for a kiss which you gratefully return. "Take me home." She says softly before leaning back against the car seat.
Jane fights off sleep the whole way home, only dozing briefly a few times. You help her into the chair and wheel her in the door.
Ben and Sophie are standing under a "Welcome Home" banner with balloons and party hats on holding, Jane's favorite, carrot cake that read in bright green frosting "We Love Jane!".
Jane begins to cry and we all go in for a group hug.
After things are loaded in the house we all settle in for cake. Jane only manages a few bites when I notice her struggling to stay awake.
"Jane? You can finish your cake later, I think it's time for some rest. You've had quite a busy day."
She nods her head and hands me her plate of cake before snuggling into the pillows and blankets we set up. I scoot down to give her more space, her legs resting on my lap.
"Tom, could I bother you for my bipap? I'm fine, just like you said, busy day."
You look at her a moment in concern but don't notice her struggling badly.
"Of course." You say as you stand and go over to the little machine you setup beside the couch.
Jane is practically already asleep, so you help her take off the nasal cannula and strap on her bipap mask and turn it on before giving her a kiss on the forehead and tucking her in tighter before returning to your spot on the couch.
After cake, Ben and Sophie go back home to let us rest. I slip behind Jane and pull her to my chest. She doesn't even stir. I lay there, finally able to hold the woman I love and drift to sleep. Dreaming of the day her pager goes off and our new life begins.