December 29, 2006
WELCOME TO MY WORLD
“WHAT’S COOKIN’?”
*GOD BLESSED JOE*

Wow, what a ride! December was a whirlwind. Everyday there was something important to do, say, send, write or contemplate. . . I have survived it and I hope you have too. Let me see if I can fill you in.

The most important effort was getting Milford Joe to Manhattan VA Hospital for his Cochlear Implant. Just getting him there was a project in its self. We left early December 11 from Oneonta with a thermos of coffee and a packed lunch survival kit. The trip went well and we hardly could contain ourselves with the task ahead. We managed to miss most of the early traffic and went directly to the Park and Ride with hopes of catching a bus to the Manhattan VA Hospital on 23rd and 1st Ave. No problems there, HOWEVER, we could not board her as all the 300 parking spaces were taken.

Fortunately, I had my Virgin Mobil Phone, which I often can not use for one reason or another. I called Joe’s sister, Joan, who lives a few miles away and fortunately she was home. She came and got us and took us back to her new home, parked my car in her driveway and went inside for the grand tour and a great visit. Soon it was time to get back to the terminal and catch our bus into the city, which would take us an hour or so. A hug and kiss and a promise to see her end of the week was in order. “I’ll keep in touch to keep you up to date”, I said as we boarded the 5X bus to Manhattan. . .

We arrived- A-OK. The same security guards were on duty and they remembered Joe and we them. Joe shared his mission and they all wished him luck. The gals at the Hoptel remembered too and showed us to the room available-a single bed and a cot like fold up bed. . It was not a very comfortable situation, but it would do.

We went to the office of Joe’s coordinating nurse, Navidad, who would see to it that Joe was ready for his operation on Thursday. He had ex-rays, blood work and was set up for am and pm appointments on Tuesday and Wednesday.

We decided to get something hot to eat as there was no cafeteria after 2:00pm. The gals at Hoptel had told us to go across the street to the diner- “All the doctors eat there and the food is good and reasonable”, they said. The weather was unseasonably warm and we enjoyed the short walk. We did enjoy a great fish fry and a cup of coffee, which Joe was looking forward too.

Neither of us slept well in anticipation of the coming of morning. Joe could not eat and he would miss his coffee. It was 7:00am when my Virgin Mobil rang. I quickly answered it to find it was our pastor, Rev. Paul Messner of St. Matthews Lutheran Church, one of four that he serves! “I am on my way up” he said. I made Joe aware that Pastor was on his way up and Joe was elated, as was I. Before we knew it, there he was with the big smile of his. . . .

We had about a half an hour with him. We prayed together and I filled him in about what was taking place. He had driven all the way from Worcester, NY to be with us at this anxious time. He made us both feel at ease. We can’t thank him enough. I gave Joe a BIG HUG AND KISS and, I must say I was a little shaky when I saw him go into surgery. I knew then how much I loved him. Could it be possible, at this stage of my life that I would be given another chance to love again?
Pastor said, “I’m hungry. How about you?”

“I am too. Lets have breakfast.” I took him across the street (you guessed it) to where Joe and I had had dinner last night. We enjoyed as we chatted. We shared much during that time, about his life and decision to serve the LORD and mine. Soon it was time for him to leave. He was headed to Radio City Music Hall to get a few tickets for the Christmas Show, and then he would head home.

After he left, I took a walk for several blocks, listening and watching the hustle and bustle of the city and its people and wondering what was happening in their lives and praying that HIS WILL would be done. I made a big circle and headed back t the hospital to wait for news.

When I got to the waiting room, there was another lady waiting. I said hello and a conversation started. She too was waiting for news about her hubby, who was undergoing heart surgery. Her story just erupted, I think she needed someone to share with and I was right there. THANK GOD. I offered a prayer for her and her hubby until I saw Joe’s surgery emerge from the recovery room..

Joe’s surgery started at 8:00am and it was nearly noon. I was told it would be noon or so before it was finished. About 12:35pm, Dr. Roehm and Dr Le came out and told me everything went well. They showed me the ex-rays and said he did fine. In a few moments, an attendant came running out and motioned us to come, come quickly. . . We followed her into the recovery room where I found Joe surrounded by five or six staff and Joe was combatant. He was coming out of the anesthesia and it was not good. I stroked his face and arms, but it did not help. I was talking to him, but of course, he didn’t know what I was saying. I was frightened for him and the staff.

The psychiatrist was summoned and she suggested writing on paper where he was and that Dr. Roehm was I was there, but it didn’t help. Before too long they administered one of two shots to put him down. I was reassured that sometimes this happens and not to be alarmed. I would stay with him in recovery till 5:30pm and then follow him to his room. It was hard to watch him as he dealt with his situation. He dozed in and out and I could tell he was not comfortable. His head was bandaged and he looked like an alien as it made his head twice as large as it was. He said his head and throat hurt and he was dry. Liquid food came later, but it didn’t interest him. Finally at 9:30pm, he fell into a deep sleep and I left for my bed. I gals at Hoptel had a lovely little room for me, just big enough to get some sleep. I found myself waking up every hour or so and continuing a prayer that had no end.

The next morning, I got up early and was at Joe’s side by 7:45am. He was waiting for me. He had twisted his bandage and he bled all over, making it necessary to have it changed, by his morning male nurse. He did a good job. The bleeding was heavy, but they said it would taper off and it did, but the huge bandage would be replaced. I watched, as I knew my turn was coming. Joe handled the rest of the day and the appointments she had well. His food tray came but he wasn’t interested.

Friday morning came and Dr. Roehm came in and checked Joe out. She said everything looked good and asked Joe if he would like to leave. The response was spontaneous-“YES”. We had breakfast in the cafeteria and I could see that Joe was on the mend- he was hungry! After all the paperwork was done, we stopped and said goodby to Navidad and everyone we ran into. Joe apologized for his actions in recovery and all accepted with a smile.

Before we knew it, we were waiting for the bus listening to a black musician playing Christmas Carols on his sazaphone at the corner of 23rd and 1st Ave. . . .We were going to the Park and Ride, where Joan would pick us up. We would later all go to dinner at Joe’s brother Robert Varipapa’s beautiful home on Staten Island. We would enjoy, sleep and head home. . . .to New York. “Looks like we made it. . .”