Yesterday’s visit !

McLain attended her first class in person in a month, and then we drove to Rochester (a quick hour with landscape that reminds me of Eastern Montana) for her appointment. About half of her stitches were removed, and her splint was modified.  This was a relief for McLain as her wrist is no longer in the splint and she hopes to be able to write soon.  She will return to Rochester in two weeks and have the remaining stitches removed as well as see 2 of the 3 doctors that operated on her last month.  We both felt great about how everything transpired and McLain looks forward to attending classes and resuming life as a college student. 

We celebrated by going to a fun Wine & Tapas Restaurant on the river and trying some fun appetizers together.  When the night ended, we both got a little (okay, a lot) sad, but we reminded each other that she only has 5 weeks until she returns to Helena for summer break.

It’s hard to believe it’s only been four weeks since surgery – four?  Really?  I feel like we’ve lived this life of “patient/nurse” for months.  But the warrior that she is, she can now care for herself, and will do well as she finishes her first semester. 

I’ll be back full-time at the College beginning next week, and have appreciated all of my co-workers support as I’ve been tending to McLain. We are a small but dedicated team in OIA, and they all have truly been “Saints” as they’ve covered my responsibilities and ensured that I didn’t feel pressure while away these last many weeks. 

And to all of our cheerleaders – thank you thank you!  My updates will likely be fewer, which is really what we strive for as McLain continues her journey and resumes life as a survivor and one of the bravest college students I / we know!