In the words of the poet, Brian Wilson: "I wanna go home."

Paul was released from the hospital at 5 o'clock Thursday, just in time to hit rush hour traffic in Salt Lake City. But we didn't even care! We were so glad to be heading home. We stayed the night in Ogden at Mom and Dad Carling's, then drove to Rexburg today. We stopped halfway to let Paul walk around and stretch before coming the rest of the way. We got here just a few minutes before Jacob's bus.

Thursday morning before heading to the hospital, I made a quick stop at Krispy Kreme to grab a few dozen donuts to thank the staff at Huntsman. They were so great (the nurses, and the donuts). We really did receive excellent care while we were there. I say "we" because they made sure I was taken care of too. Paul is doing really well. He graduated from using a walker to crutches before we left. The physical therapist trained me to help him with his exercises. He was very impressed, even suggesting I abandon my pursuit of an English degree for Physical Therapy instead. I don't think I'll take his advice, though. I don't like people telling me I'm mean. Paul had a visit from Dr. Andtbacka, the surgeon who removed his tumor and lymph glands last December. He said he had heard Paul was at Huntsman again and wanted to see how he was doing. Paul's good friend, Shane, stopped by last Wednesday and again this Thursday afternoon. As usual, the topic was motorcycles and cars. Some things never change!

To facilitate a more comfortable ride home, I traded my car for Carol's minivan. That way Paul was able to have more room and keep his leg elevated. Lynn will come up on Saturday to switch vehicles and put the stair railing back up. We took it down long ago after some little boys, who shall remain nameless (coughTylerandParkercough), hung on it and stripped the screws out of the wall.

Paul is resting comfortably on the living room couch as I type this. The boys are home from school now. I am so happy to be home! Thanks to all of you who had any part in making it possible for me to be with Paul throughout his stay at Huntsman. It was comforting to know that our family was being watched over and cared for while I was trying to do the same for Paul.

Paul's next assignment is to continue regaining his strength and start out-patient physical therapy. It will be a long, slow process, but he's very motivated, and as Aunt Marilyn said, "he's a stubborn Dutchman."