Tuesday, August 3, 2010 — Back in Santa Rosa with our dogs —

I returned from Fort Bragg to Sutter Hospital with our two dogs. Kathy came down with Larkin and Elena from Echo Lake to visit with Skip and pick up the dogs. They are now happily on their way to the mountains for a week in a place they know and love. We will both miss having these two entertaining and loving creatures with us. They are so much a part of our lives. But I'm happy knowing they're in a good place.

The short trip to Fort Bragg was very productive. It's a tonic to be in the house we love living in even for a few hours and a night. I really visualized having Skip back in the house and slowly building up his strength.

Kathy met with the doctor and nurse on duty today. They are now predicting that Skip will be discharged soon after the coming weekend. After much soul searching and with full input by Skip, the decision has been made to do the beginning physical therapy while residing at Sherwood Oaks. I spoke with someone at Fort Bragg Hospital today and they would be happy to have Skip do his therapy from a "swing bed" there, but because he will still be needing dialysis that will not be an option. Medicare will only pay for the dialysis if he is residing away from the hospital as an outpatient. For some reason, it's OK to be residing in Sherwood Oaks. Since the dialysis clinic is only a short wheelchair walk from the hospital, it doesn't really make any sense to have to get in a car and travel across town to do the dialysis. There still are some pretty amazing situations in mdical coverage that defy reason. But thank heavens the people setting these things up know the ropes so we don't end up with a hopeless expense.

When I returned to Santa Rosa early this evening, Mike, Kathy, Elena and Larking were with Skip. Shortly before I arrived he had a short cardiac fibrilation event. It scared him a bit and left him fatigued and slightly downturned in his emotions. Kathy and I both think it's perhaps a good thing for this to happen while he's here where there can be such immediate medical response. He said he felt like he did during recent occasional fainting episodes. He has tried to chalk them up to altitude and being in the mountains. However, I know that he's acually had this happen a few times in our own home. So I'm pleased that the whole situation will be questioned and explored. I feel a time of greater understanding coming upon us.

I appreciate so much all the good advice we've received since this whole ordeal began. I am now at ease knowing that Skip will receive good care when he returns to the coast.