Pondering

While his cardio-team ponders and tries various procedures to get Nyel’s heart and pacemaker in sync, there have been a few marvelous, light-hearted moments.  First came Petey.  He was a stocking-stuffer that Santa thoughtfully had at the ready when we made the mad dash to Portland’s Good Samaritan Hospital on Christmas Eve.  Marta, Charlie, and I grabbed a few of the presents under the tree and the next morning had a festive little gathering in Nyel’s hospital room.  Petey was a highlight.

Petey

For some time Nyel has said he ‘wanted’ a dog.  Not a puppy.  A dog.  You know – that fantasy dog that will sit by Nyel’s chair in front of the fire while he reads his book and sips his herbal tea. The kind of dog that doesn’t need to be walked and that doesn’t poop or pee or chew up the furniture.  Santa felt that Petey was the next best thing.  Petey walks, he yips (incessantly), he wags his tail – battery operated at the flick of a switch.  Endlessly entertaining and a real hit with all the nurses…

Rose City Mixed Quartet

But yesterday, the real deal arrived.  The professionals, no batteries required!  The Rose City Mixed Quartet ‘dropped by’ in the early afternoon and gave Nyel (and me!) our very own personalized concert!  They sang some Christmas songs and a few old favorites while Nyel smiled and smiled and I held back my tears of gratitude.  Wow!  It simply does not get better than that!

Smiling Nyel

And did I say that Maggie Stuckey came by with a piece of contraband homemade Christmas cheesecake?  Nyel was allowed a few bites and I scored the rest!  Fabulous!  Leave to Maggie to bring a taste treat to celebrate the season.

In between, I read Nyel all of the notes on FaceBook and email from our friends and loved ones.  Many, many expressions of concern, wishes for a fast recovery, and ‘thinking ol you’ messages.  Another kind of entertainment for the minutes and hours spent waiting for the next EKG or test result.  There is no way to let all of our friends know how much they are appreciated – how much we both feel loved.  It only they could see the smiles on Nyel’s face, they might get a glimmer…