July 30

We had our big reunion on Tuesday. I had been banned form the hospital until I hung my work at the Sanchez Art Center, which I did late Monday afternoon. Serendipity has not abandoned me, us. As I arrived with my tools, my plan, my work and selected my lottery-based position in the gallery, Logan and Jack lifted my load and escorted me to my space. They had just finished hanging Logan's beautiful paintings and went to work on my 50 images. Jack hammered all 50 nails in to the template and waited patiently to receive and hang each piece as I prepped them with sticky-tak. He was listening to some beautiful music on his ipod and took the time to appreciate each image. And, tout de suite, it was done and I felt a great weight slip off my body. Phew. Immediately I called Glenn with the great news which he shared with my sister who was on the other line. Afterwards Logan fed me a beautiful salad from New Leaf and I headed back down the coast.

Tuesday came and I eagerly made the trek over the hill to see my beloved. We spent many hours together that day and the next, working to abate his extreme discomfort. The donor site of last Thursday's operation (the place where the surgeons remove healthy skin to graft over the injured areas) is his posterior -- the exact place that receives the most action these days no matter the activity. The pain is likened to that of 2nd degree burns -- this is the most painful of burns as the nerves are still intact and exposed. By Wednesday he had worked out a way to lie on his stomach for the first time -- the object is to get the donor sites to dry out as soon as possible -- and even the air currents passing by caused pain.

An unhappy camper to say the least. But amazing he is, our Glenn, he keeps fighting back and regaining a positive stance. I stayed until 9:30 that night and our plan to walk the halls together did not work out; but he did persevere and make the trip with his nurse after I left. From the long hallway on the fourth floor that runs the length of that wing, you can look east and west over the city to the mountains on both sides. We both saw the moon that night - me from highway 17 - for the first time in days it was a clear night.

So Thursday Glenn flew solo again. After breakfast each day now, he receives a dose of pain meds about half an hour prior to taking a shower and having his dressings changed. He still is receiving additional iv meds during this procedure, but less every day. I spent yesterday taking care of business I need to do and getting ready for the ticketed preview of the show. I wa feeling pretty vulnerable yesterday -- that comes and goes -- and decided to take up Logan's offer to drive up together early with Jack and Dianne for a light meal and a glass of wine in Half Moon Bay. That was the right move because I felt much much better with their caring company. It did not totally alleviate the exhaustion but I was able to attend the opening and talk with many about my work; and with other artists about theirs. Dianne and I looked at mine together when we got there and after about ten minutes of insightful discussion she pointed out to me that 4 pieces had sold -- I hadn't even noticed the little red dots. By the pieces sold I knew immediately who had bought them -- Rosanna and Paola! my good friends and overseas hosts; who found children, grandchildren, familiar locations, objects, patterns in those 4 images. NICE!

And it was such a blessing to be driven the long hour back to Logan's in the fog where I retrieved my car. Unfortuantely a few miles from home we Highway 1 motorists sat for almost two hours watching rescue crews clean up a horrific accident. So I got home really late and this morning realized it would be too much for me to go to the hospital today, then onward to the opening reception up in Pacifica. So Glenn is solo again today. I believe Gary will visit as Friday is his usual trip out to the ranch. Glenn is on the phone more and more and many relieve his hours of solitude.

This morning he told me that the medical team considers the involved body burn area to be 40% -- not the 20-30% I had previously understood. Makes his long stay a little clearer... and makes his survival even more impressive... I feel so so lucky and blessed.

I look forward to spending the weekend with him having most of my biggest projects behind me after tonight. Yay! We did it!!