Gilchrist Hotel and Respite

After many different conversations, many different times, Brian and I finally decided to put Ian into the inpatient unit at Gilchrist in Howard County. Why Howard you ask, because that's where the pediatric unit is. We started calling it the Gilchrist Hotel for Ian. Friday night, Brian, Becca and I spent the night at home watching Mrs. Doubtfire. 

On Friday evening, we got a report from Ian's Gilchrist home care nurse, she called to check on him and the "hotel" nurses said he's doing great and they didn't think he would have a problem sleeping tonight. 

Ian getting all settled in!
Marci tubing with Ian in spirit...blue tube and jacket...SPIDER-MAN.
Saturday morning, the 3 of us went snow tubing with girl scouts...Ian was with us in spirit...the jacket Brian and I wore was red as well as the tube we used was blue. While tubing was cold and it started to snow while we were there it was wonderful. A lttile weird driving some place in Brian's car as we are usually in the van and have Ian with us. For me tubing is always exhilarating...the wind and snow and cold in my face gives me the feeling of freedom, not a care or worry in the world. Something that is not part of my regular life. Saturday afternoon, was spent sitting around the house watching tv and reading....something we don't get to do often, at least uninterrupted. The only thing that would be great to have today would be a fireplace.
Brian, Becca and I at the lodge at the end of snow tubing.
Saturday night, we stayed in...well Brian did and Becca and I walked to a friends house before coming home and playing a mean game of Life. 

Sunday morning I was hoping to sleep in, well, I was up by 7:30. So I took a little time for me, while Brian and Becca were still sleeping. Later, Becca went over to her friends house for the day. Brian and I ran a few errands and then went out to lunch before heading to pick up Ian. Once we got to the unit, Ian was with one of his regular volunteers, Michelle, watching a movie. He was all smiles...told us some of what he did...like stayed up late last night watching TV, drank soda and had McDonalds. He graded the nurses...by the end of the weekend both the day nurse and the night nurse got "A"'s. We asked him if he would want to spend some more time at the hotel again...shocker the answer was yes...he even said that he did not want to go home...
Oh well, that is one request you know we could not honor....we are all back home after our first respite weekend. 

Ian giving Mommy and Daddy the look because it is time to get ready to go home.

Comments

  1. What an intangible gift that Ian gave you when he said he didn't want to go home. It meant that your choice for respite of your own was validated by his having liked his stay!!!

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  2. Sounds like a wonderful weekend for everyone! It was great seeing you last week. Hope to see you soon!
    Lara Fruman

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  3. I'm so glad he had fun!
    Karen Frazier

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  4. Sounds like everyone had a great weekend. So glad that he enjoyed "the hotel".
    Sallie Palmer

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  5. Great idea Marci !
    Daean Menke

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  6. What a wonderful weekend for the whole family!

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  7. A good break for everyone. Glad it worked out!
    Lisa Hess

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  8. Happy to hear that everyone enjoyed a wonderful weekend!
    Samantha Schaefer

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  9. So happy to hear that you had a great weekend. You all so deserve it and Ian had fun where he was. ❌⭕️
    Marlene Ettlin

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  10. Sounds like a great experience for all!
    Connie Lippenholz

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  11. Glad you all enjoyed yourself and that Ian had a great time too!
    Heather Young

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  12. Glad you were all able to have a fun weekend.
    Carye George Everett

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  13. Glad all three of you had a good weekend!
    Annelise Sullivan

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  14. So glad to hear it was such a good weekend! Cant wait for Pedis
    Adina Levitan

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  15. A great weekend for all!
    Debi Van Camp

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  16. Sounds like everyone had a great weekend. Glad Ian enjoyed his nurses.
    Gina Cohen

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  17. Thank you for sharing your family's love with all of us. I found your blog in my usual ADHD fashion of random clicking on things instead of sticking to the site I should be on (like paying a bill or answering an email)and I ended up read all your posts. I was deeply touched and moved by the challenges Ian and all of you have to face but I couldn't help but also feel my heart being warmed and uplifted by your philosophies, candor, attitudes and just the sheer amount of love which shines through all your posts...even some of the sadder updates. I feel as if I got a new lesson in love today and I am grateful to you all. Peace, comfort, light and love to you, always!

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