Yes, after three weeks in a little more than a jail-room cell – although much more comfortable — I have finally been set free. Angelique and I have come to an understanding. I will continue to take it easy, drink lots of fluids – about a gallon a day — remain on strict bed rest, and she will stop threatening to come early. The doctors approved of this agreement and decided to send me home – woohoo.
Now as strange as it sounds, there will be two things I will miss about the hospital.
1. The echoes of women screaming in pain as they give birth. Most days, I would lie in bed listening to these women and squeeze my legs together thinking, “no way.” I would cringe at each and every scream, trying not to think of when it would be my turn. Then there would a second of silence followed by a newborn scream. I would smile at that moment. It such a beautiful of sound – the cry of a newborn as he or she comes kicking into this world. That’s when I would un-squeeze the legs and think, “wow, I can’t wait until it’s my turn.’’
2. The security of knowing that help was right there should anything go wrong. I will really miss that. The slightest alarm and the nurses would be there. At home, I have to take care of myself because there is no nurse rushing to my rescues. That’s a bit scary, but then life is rarely about guaranteed security.
Well that’s it. Good bye room 205 and hello home.
