The "With A Little Help From My Friends in Room 4922" Story

It was an ordniary day.  Just walked in through the garage, opened the door and sat on my favorite lounge chair.  Hurt, but I'll get over it.  For the last 4 1/2 days I have been visiting in room 4922 of the Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster, PA.

The hospital board on the wall at the foot of my bed.

Entered this past Monday to have Spinal Fusion surgery done by Dr. Kuhlengel who is part of the Lancaster Neuroscience and Spine Specialists.  He is one great guy who is not only personable, but one of the 100 best spine and brain surgeons in the country.  Since this was my third back surgery I wanted to make sure it was done correctly.  Well, not only was I happy with the results of the surgery, I was extremely happy with the girls and guys who took care of me during my stay.  Everyone from the nice young girl who brought me my meals and took my orders for the next day to the Nurses and Nurses' Assistants who tended to my needs during my stay. I must say that I wasn't that demanding, but when I did ask for help with something, they were closeby to help me.  Two of the girls just happened to be my nurses in September of 2011 when I had my last back surgery.  But Robyn, one of those two nurses from the past was a real sweetie.  Her pretty face brightened up my day just when the pain was returning after lunch when her shift started.  But my favorite memory from my hospital stay (if one could possibly have a favorite moment from being in the hospital) had to be Wednesday evening.  

Robyn, my second shift nurse and friend.

I had just returned from physical therapy where they made sure I could bathe in a shower, climb steps, enter and exit a car as well as lay in bed without bending or twisting my back.  I was just about exhausted and ready to turn off the TV and lights and call it a night when Robyn walked into the room.  She came to my bedside and asked, "Would you like to take a walk with me up and down the halls of 7 West? I saw you were cleared by physical therapy and thought you may like to walk."  I'm sure she saw my face brighten when I replied, "You know, it's been years and years since a pretty young girl asked me to take a walk with her.  I'm ready right now!"  No matter how tired I may have been, my energy level was on high.  The halls were empty and my walker squeeked on the shiny floor.  Our walk may have only been 10 minutes long, but I knew just then that I was going to make it through my time in the hospital.  So, my thanks go out to all who helped me during my stay.  Now it will be my wife's turn to lend me some aide.  She always was that pretty girl who took walks with me and will continue to be that girl once again.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy

PS - My apologies go out to my wife who had to give up her big day to play second fiddle to me on her birthday.  And thanks to all of you who have continued to check in every day to see when I would be retunring home.