I know - you all want to know about Michelle! But if I don't do this in order, I'm going to forget something, so you just have to wait. I'm torn between being thorough and getting some sleep, so if this ends abruptly in mid-sentence, I'll guess you'll just have to wait for the second installment.
It took me a while to fall asleep last night (new bed, new noises) but I slept pretty good. I kept the phone by the bed and got a text around 6:45am. It was from Michelle; she'd been transferred to the hospital, but she was scheduled as the second surgery of the day, so she wasn't going in until 10am or so. We texted a bit, but she sounded like she was in good shape, so I admit, I went back to sleep for a while.
When I woke up, my croissant was hanging on my doorknob, so I had a lovely croissant (sort of a cross between NA and European style - extravagantly buttery but bigger than any self-respecting willowy French woman would ever eat.) It was lovely with my summer raspberry jam and several mugs of tea. I logged in to work and actually got some stuff done. I tried several times to call the hospital, but I kept getting the busy signal. Around 10:30, I texted Carmen to ask when she wanted to head over - she called to say that she'd knocked on my door and hadn't got an answer, so she was already there! I got my stuff together and headed out.
The trip to the hospital is nicely easy from here. Walk three blocks, get on the Metro and ride for a while, transfer to a bus which drops you right at the door. Those of you who know me will not be surprised that I found it riotously funny that the bus to the hospital is #69. :) I stopped in at the surgery and found out that Michelle was expected out of the recovery room by 2pm. I went to the house to visit with Veronique and Carmen for a while, then wandered down de Salaberry a few blocks to a handy strip mall. Got some Subway, some cash and was back to the surgery for 2pm. Michelle wasn't out yet - another hour, maybe.
Fortunately, the recovery house is literally right next door, so back there to hang out. I met some more of the patients and their companions, talked with Carmen about a movie and saw the famous Dr. Brassard. He's younger than I expected and reasonably handsome although not my type. The patients LOVE him though - it was like watching a Jonas brother walk into a junior high school; swooning and giggling and carrying on.
I was back at the surgery by 2:45 and sat in the reception area reading my book. Finally, they brought Michelle to her room at about 3:30. One does not look one's best after major surgery and she was no exception. Because she was having more than one procedure done, Michelle got both a general anesthetic and an epidural (most folks only get the epidural.) She was still very groggy from the meds and she knew it.
We chatted for a while, and although she was finding the whole thing very surreal, I think she was more happy than anything else - yippy! Telvent had had some very lovely flowers delivered and I left her the first batch of gifts. She wasn't awake enough to really do anything with them yet, but she may have got to them later this evening after some more sleep. I think more than anything, she was touched to hear how many of you had been pestering me for information! LOL
I collected Carmen and we headed back toward the hotel. We found an Epicerie (kind of like a 7-11) and bought a few things: yoghurt, a couple of ichiban style noodles and since I'm trying to cut the cola, I splurged on a bottle of Orangina. There doesn't seem to be a real grocery store in the neighbourhood, so I think we'll hit the IGA by the hospital tomorrow and cart some stuff home. I had Subway for lunch, noodles for dinner and popcorn for dessert - some kind of vegetable matter is definitely called for.
After dinner, Carmen and I hopped the Metro again, into the "English" neighbourhood and went to see "A Single Man". It stars Colin Firth as a a gay man in 1962, whose partner of 16 years dies. He does an amazing job and the end is freakin' heartbreaking.
We made our way home and made plans to head back tomorrow. It's Veronique's turn and she goes in first, so Carmen wants to be there in good time. Which means I definitely have to get to bed!
Cheers.
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