I have never looked more forward to 7 a.m. than I did when my loved one was in the hospital after major surgery.  Two days of being in the hospital, day and night, with little sleep was wearing on the three of us.  We were looking forward to the doctor appearing in the doorway to advise whether today would be the day my loved one would be discharged.

With blurry vision, I saw a tall figure enter the room.  I sprang from the hard leather couch I attempted to sleep on, only to find it was the male nurse and not the doctor.  Trying to disguise my disappointment, we small talked about how our day was starting, then he disappeared into the hallway.

I walked over to retrieve the menu to order breakfast for the patient as we waited.  I dialed the number and gave the order to the friendly voice on the other end of the line.  Within minutes, the doctor entered with his hairnet, scrubs, and mask.  As he began speaking, he revealed today would be the day we got to leave, blow this joint, get out of jail, well, you get the idea.  We were free to go!!  Woo hoo!

Walking around the room, I gathered our belongings and packed them in the large black bag.  Then, we waited for the nurse to get the discharge papers ready.  They reminded us how busy they were and said it would be after lunch before they could discharge us.  We made the best of it by listening to music on my cell phone until they finally came back around with discharge instructions.  Shortly thereafter, we were wheeling the Burgundy Tahoe up to the circle driveway to retrieve our beloved, who was waiting in the parked wheelchair with a hospital volunteer nearby.  Pretty soon, the vehicle was packed, patient was seat belted in, and we were on our way home!  Thank you, Jesus!