Not Our Traditional Thanksgiving Celebration

 Thanksgiving Eve's Lunch

There is nothing normal about 2020 so why should we expect Thanksgiving to be traditional either?  Bill chose to take a day off work the day before Thanksgiving so we could spend time together at an exclusive, expensive, health-improvement resort.  Upon arrival, we were presented with a welcome basket full of goodies to make our stay more enjoyable: a toothbrush, tissues, lotions, antiseptic wipes, his and her's barf bags, and a urinal.

Since no small detail was overlooked, the staff also gifted Bill these lovely, putrid-neon-yellow, non-skid fuzzy socks and even placed them on his feet as he reclined in bed.  Their attention to his every comfort was impeccable.  He was also dressed in a breezy gown although modesty prevents me from sharing any pictures due to its risque fashion style.  Bill did reveal more skin than is appropriate in polite company; however, the well-trained staff courteously appeared to not notice.

For dinner, the maitre de offered to prepare Bill anything from a fine selection of entrees.  Being a man with a classically American palette and preference for uncomplicated dishes with hearty substance, he wanted nothing exotic or fancy (even though it was included in the exorbitant price of the room) but instead chose his favorite cuisine - a hamburger.  He said it was delicious.

He slept like a baby when not being awakened every few minutes by the attentive staff.  His every need was anticipated, all vital signs closely monitored, he only had to push a button and a highly trained professional would arrive immediately.  The service was flawless.  

Two years ago Bill received a stem cell treatment for his deteriorating hip joint.  It improved for a while then began to regress.  It had reached the point where walking was too painful, almost impossible so he chose to have a hip replacement.  It is now an outpatient operation and he went home the same day!!!!! The physical therapist helped him walk after he awoke from surgery and then in the evening taught him how to climb stairs. After he passed the step test, we were free to go home.

A surgeon, with the help of a robot, implanted a new right hip.  We were presented with a parts list as we were leaving.

Joshua came home and together with Dustin helped their Dad get out of the car, lay down in bed, sit in a chair, and walk.  He must walk a little every hour to keep scar tissues from forming. It has been excruciatingly painful.

This year, I am thankful my husband is alive, that we live in a country with excellent health care, and my sons are compassionate enough to even put socks on their dad's feet.  We hope for the impossible, that Bill can move once again without severe pain and that next year's Thanksgiving be much better.  

Previous year's Thanksgiving celebrations

A Wonderful Weekend (2019)

Pulling Apart at Pull-a-Part (2019)

Thanksgiving Lemon Pie (2018)

Thanksgiving Preparations (2017)

Scooter's Difficult Thanksgiving (2017)