There was a bit of action today here in the room. Some brave nurse had decided that Pádraig was going to sit in their special chair: like a wheel chair with less cushioning. So, with the help of a couple of nurses and a scared physio, I lifted Pádraig up, turned him around and sat him down into the chair. And after two hours, I did the same in reverse. You wouldn’t believe how proud I am to have been able to do this. OK, it was not a really wheelchair but it worked, meaning that we could manage, if needs be, without a lifter.
Preparations for the trial in Boston are continuing. I really cannot believe that Pat and I will be flying together to Boston in just a few days’ time. To hear all the details again. How will we get through this. – But, there’ll be another trip in May!
Today I heard that we’re going to get some help from the Maltese Order to get Pádraig (and ourselves) to Diepholz, the most northern parting point of the special 24-hour train to Lourdes in May. It’s close to two hours’ drive from Hamburg towards the south and a fully-ledged ambulance would have been prohibitively expensive. Can’t wait for it.
Tomorrow is discharge day, if all the tests in the morning work out well. Again, fingers crossed. We’ll have to get outahere!
Today’s German Music Tip
Eric Burdon and Udo Lindenberg, Verdammpt, wir müssen raus aus dem Dreck. Probably the worst quality video on youtube, but still a great performance by two great auld rockers. The quality of this version is slightly better and older: about 35 years! (Watch out for Eric’s head band! – Who needs Woodstock if you can just watch one of Udo’s concerts?)
What’s hot
Moving, Sitting, without lifter
What’s cold
Trials
The German word/phrase/verse of the day
Für’n Appel unnen Ei
Hospi-Tales 
So glad that Pádraig has come through the operation and is recovering so well, not long to go when you will all be back home together again. I want to wish you both – Reinhard and Patricia – all the very best for what you will have to go through in Boston. It will not be easy but take strength from all of us who keep you in our prayers, light candles for you and never forget you.Pádraig’s strength and fortitude will be with you both. Grá mór, Siobhán x
That is so true, Siobhán. It is Pádraig’s strength and fortitude that is with all of us all this time. How else would we get through this without him – as strange as it sounds. I never, ever did this before – but these day I wonder so often when I do things or say things if this is the way he would have done or said it (and will one day again). He wouldn’t believe this if I told him! – Thank you for your very kind message, Siobhán!
Reinhard, ich versuche, mir die einzelnen “Bilder” vorzustellen: Pádraigs Stellungswechsel (mit Deiner Hilfe und Kraft, und seiner enormen Energie und seinem Lebenswillen), Boston (mit der harten Realität) und Lourdes – der Weg der Hoffnung und Stärke. Was für Kräfte müssen da nicht immer wieder neu mobilisiert werden! Ich wünsche Dir und Euch diese Kraft. Ich denke an Euch. Gruß, Joseph
Ganz schön was los, Joseph, Du hast recht. Mitunter habe ich den Eindruck, unser Leben sei in eine andere Sphäre gerutscht. Da ist so viel los, ich komm kaum mit…