Hospital Cruise Vacation & Ways To Help

We went to the hospital today on a mission...to visit the ward and see if they have the essentials. We checked it all out...the play room with the really nice ladies who will play with you and give you all the art supplies you can handle; the parent's lounge complete with video library for kids, refrigerator, microwave and some tables & chairs; the PRIVATE rooms with DVD players, VCRs and not just a recliner, but a window seat twin size bed for parents; and the "school" with bug zoo, lots of crafty stuff and educational games and tons of books; the Starbucks in the lobby; the library; the vending area; the computer areas (one for email, the other for games & research). It's almost like going on a cruise, it's the poshest hospital ever!

We got all the important questions asked....Can Pat bring his X-Box and hook it up to the TV in the room? Yes! As a matter of fact there is one that circulates the ward and they just got Guitar Hero if we want to use that one. Can she get mail? Yes.

I think Aspen is more comfortable now, so I am glad we went to visit. She didn't have any questions other than, "Can we play in the courtyard?". There is a teepee made out of a giant bronze fish there, you kind of have to see it to believe it. It does make you want to go in, but we decided to save it for something fun to do while she is there a few days.

We also rode the tram, because we could and it's probably the coolest thing about the whole hospital. So, we conducted a little man on the street interview with the tram driver to find out where they hired a tram driver since we don't have any arial trams for miles around...he's an elevator operator! I didn't know those existed anymore!! We don't get the spiel though, "9th floor: gift shop, skybridge to the veteran's hospital, restrooms".

In addition to the hospital being the most amazing one on the planet, my friend Robyn who is equally amazing called and offered to coordinate helpers. Here is an idea of things that would help: We probably need a meal on the day we are discharged and perhaps another the next day depending on if I can get away to the grocery store or not. I will need someone to teach my Sunday school class for a couple Sundays...they are 2nd graders, and are just too cute!! I will need someone to help make phone calls after the surgery to let people know how things went. I will need a few folks to send cards to Aspen to keep her encouraged, she is loving getting mail. I also need someone to feed and water our barn cat on a daily basis. There are some people at Ken's work who were interested in making some financial donations to help with medical bills and such as well. So...anyone interested in helping in any way, please contact Robyn at robynbuhl@yahoo.com Thank you Robyn...it's a big job!!