The FINAL escape (also known as)-- Oops! It was so exciting I forgot to tell you!

Well, I’ve been scolded by a very elite group of folks for not posting an entry on Daddy’s blog about the get-a-way to Albuquerque! So – my apologies and here goes!

Well, here’s Mama and Daddy flying out of Houston (use your imagination now) and heading to Albuquerque!  Wow – were they happy – and I know because I was on the plane with them!!!! Wow – was I happy too!

We left on Tuesday morning, March 9, 2010.

Here’s what the view looked like when we landed!!! What a sight for sore (Albuquerque deprived) eyes. Mama and Daddy couldn’t stop grinning they were so happy to be home. Daughter Stacie picked us up at the airport and whisked us home in a jiffy. I think Mama didn’t stop walking around looking at things in the house for a week – she was so happy to be home. They wanted to see the views that they missed and just be home – some of you probably know that feeling too! I’d catch them just wandering around the house, enjoying the experience of home.

Here are a couple of the wonderful views from close to their house that are so magnificent and inspiring. these are the Sandia (Watermelon) Mountains.

You all have been wonderful during that past two months, supporting our family and especially Mama and Daddy, with your prayers and cards and emails. Each and every one was dear to us when we got them, and each one was read and cherished. As many of you know, it’s during the difficult times that friends and family are so important and can make such a difference.

Daddy has been blessed with wonderful doctors during the entire experience of his cancer diagnosis and then the heart failure. Each one has been so caring and concerned about his health as well as how Mama is doing.

Daddy is not even two months from the day of his open-heart surgery! The surgery was on February 1^st. It is hard to believe that it was such a short time ago and yet so long ago. His recovery is not over, but each day I believe that he is getting stronger. There will always be some impact on Daddy’s health because of the cancer treatment – radiation and chemotherapy – as well as the toll that heart surgery can take on anyone – old or young. However, as many of you know from personal experience – each day we have on earth is a blessing. Each day we have with our loved ones is a blessing. Each day we experience the love of our friends is such a blessing.

Here’s Daddy - Home in Albuquerque! I think he looks great.

Thank you all so very much for your thoughts and prayers.

With love, Laura

Stan, Carol, Stacie, Kathryn, and Kenneth

The Second Escape

Here’s Daddy this past Tuesday the 2^nd scoping out the escape routes from the Select Hospital (the one after St. Luke’s) he’s been in since February 18^th.  He was packed and ready to go before they could even get the wheelchair to the room!

Here’s Daddy making his break! He was halfway to the fence -- uhhh - I mean --  down the hall before the aide could catch up with him with the wheelchair! Fortunately - we all left safely!!!

Here’s Daddy once we got him to Kenneth’s house.
V E R Y happy. Just relaxing and enjoying uninterrupted time.

Mama and Daddy are so happy to be out of the hospitals and into a house. They went walking outside yesterday. It has been beautiful here for the past few days. The more exercise the better.

Now we are just making our plans for the final escape to Albuquerque.  I’ll keep you posted on the day for that.

If any of you ever need a hospital and doctor for heart surgery, we would highly recommend Dr. Coselli and St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital. He is a world class surgeon and the quality of care we received from the nurses and staff at St. Luke's was wonderful. 

Thank you so very much for your thoughts and prayers.

With love, Laura

Stan, Carol, Stacie, Kathryn, and Kenneth

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Well, great news. Looks like Daddy's breaking out of the hospital today and heading to my brother's house in League City!!! We have all the paperwork in and just have to make sure the doctor clears him this morning. Our bags are packed and sitting by the door too!

Talk about excitement in room. Bigger than the Houston Rodeo that's going on in town right now I'll tell you that!!!!  

I'll update again after a few days to let you know his progress, but in the meantime - here's a picture of Daddy breaking out - by whatever means he can. He's worked so hard to get better that he even has a halo!! That can't be right?? Stan Hall???  ;o)

With love and gratitude for all of you, Laura