TAYLOR MORRIS

Big weekend around Walter Reed Medical Center!  We got the news we got a weekend pass.  Saturday morning we went to the pharmacy to pick up our medications for the weekend.  The pharmacy gave us a huge brown paper sack of about 15 medicine bottles, several surgeries, and some ointments.  Throughout the weekend Taylor and I realized that our nurses deserve every last cent on their paycheck.  It is quit the task to keep up with administering the correct dose, at the accurate time, with/without food…

This was not only our first weekend with a weekend pass but our first weekend without visitors.  It was nice to try to find our way outside of the hospital lifestyle with each other. We couldn’t go back to doing everything we used to love to do together. Everything took a lot more time.  We had to think about the accessibility where we wanted to go, what we wanted to do, and how we were going to get there.  We had to modify our spontaneous, carefree lifestyle.  With that being said, one thing we didn’t have to modify is our adventurousness. We still want to enjoy life.

Saturday Taylor and I went shopping for some workout clothes, since this is all we find ourselves in these days.  It was a learning experience with getting Taylor in/out of the car, parking in the right spots, being able to open the store doors while pushing a wheelchair, navigating around racks and shelves within the stores, knowing what to pack in the bag for the day out, and so much more.  Taylor also realized few more limitations he has when out in the real world.  It was awful to see his disappointment when he couldn’t do something for himself and had to ask for help.  When we were driving back to the hospital he told me the list of things he wants to work on in OT this week.  It made him mad to realize all the things he needs to relearn but I pray that these realizations can become beneficial and Taylor will use them as motivation. Another good thing that came from this trip out to the mall was that we were able to find a couple shirts that will work for this week of workouts!

Sunday we went to the Eastern Market.  After Juli and I went to the Eastern Market (farmer’s market/flea market) the other weekend, I really wanted Taylor to experience it.  It was so much fun.  The weather was absolutely perfect (that’s my vote anyways, I’m sure Taylor and Juli would agree that it was too hot).  Taylor and I sampled all the fruits and vegetables.  Everything was so fresh and delicious.  We ended up buying some tomatoes, cucumbers, and peaches but could have bought one everything if we have room in the backpack.  I’m pretty sure I could make this into a weekly occurrence and love it each time just as much.

Taylor and I have been jealous of everyone back home all weekend because it is our town days (Sturgis Falls).  We have been thinking about all the things we love about Sturgis Falls…the smoothies, tenderloins, mini doughnuts, parade, outside concerts, beer tents… Although we didn’t get to experience it all, Taylor and I found a food vendor at the Eastern Market that sold the mini doughnuts.  We had to enjoy some in honor of Sturgis Falls!! A little taste of heaven.

When we got back to the hospital we were pleasantly surprised by a care package from home.  Among other things in the care package, there was a half dozen cupcakes from Scratch, right out of Cedar Falls, Iowa.  Literally a taste of home!! They were so delicious we had to share them with some of our friends and other patients on the floor. Everyone loved them!

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