On Wednesday (6/5) we went over to the hospital to visit with and thank the medical teams. At CCU1, where they managed my cooling and warming procedures following the stent placed in heart.  I met with Gay & Lora, two of my four Sheroes. They greeted me with the same warmth and caring they showed my family. I could recognize their faces but I have no memories from there. They even greeted me with a classic "dad" joke - "I didn't recognize you with your clothes on!"

We then went down to CCU2, which managed my care until I was released. The Huntsville Hospital was filled with Heroes and Sheroes that directed my care as well as managed the herd of family I had with me. Until the last night I always had one or two family members in the room with me. I can not fully express how precious it was to see them there & to hear their voices.

Wednesday afternoon was spent visiting with Brian, Micaiah and Sofia. Sitting on their back porch, listening to the birds and watching the trees sway in the breeze.  This was just what I needed. That good-bye was the hardest of the whole week. It took me a double hug with Brian to be ready to go.

On Thursday, Joan and I (mostly Joan), packed up the car for the drive back to Chicago. The doctors had instructed me to keep moving my feet and toes while we were driving and we were to stop every couple hours. That put me in charge of planning stops and manning the Waze app. A task I was up to. Joan had the heavy lifting of driving us the 9-10 hours back over two days. She was amazing. With stops on Thursday in Franklin and Clarksville TN, and then one last one in Paducah KY before we settled in for the night in Carbondale IL. And then Friday we did the last stretch through FLAT central IL, eventually arriving home about 4. 

We arrived to a mowed lawn, trimmed bushes, clean house, clean sheets and towels, a refrigerator filled with fresh food and a dog anxiously looking out the window for us. Our journey was complete, Home at last!!!!

On Saturday we tried to settle back into our routine. I went for bike ride and we ran errands, both which felt great.

I want to thank everyone for their love and prayers.  I know that the First Responders on the scene told my family that they would be praying for a positive outcome.  In addition I want to also say a special thank you to:

• Tanck family, both immediate and extended, in this country and overseas
  • I will include in this one my three amazing children. Father's Day will never be the same
• Kramer family, both immediate and extended family on Joan's side
• Knox family, our church friends that have become family over the last 20 years
• Thomas family, for supporting Brian, Micaiah and Sofia and all the prayers
• Naperville friends, being welcomed home with loving hugs topped it all off
• Scottsboro AL family, the church friends from Brian and Micaiah's church, Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church.  They prayed for us and helped to feed my family with delicious food for almost 2 weeks. 
• Minnesota friends, Gahanna friends and Northwestern friends, some from many years past
• Ryerson friends, current and retired
• The friends of Brian, Catherine and Susanna that prayed for us and sent cards
• And friends that I have made through 30+ years in the same industry
• All the people that I haven't yet met.  I know that our family and friends reached out to all their family and friends and that community of people seeking God's grace and intercession on my behalf is heartwarming and humbling.  

And lastly I want to thank the amazing woman I am married.  I love you to the moon and back Sweetie!!

With that I will mark this event behind me.  My meeting with a Cardiologist is scheduled and rehab will be set up and my life will move forward.

God is good all the time, all the time God is good!