Lisa n Tom (n James n Joseph)

It's Day Eleven and Joseph is about to get sprung! Everything always takes longer than you think it will, so while Tom and Joseph are at the hospital awaiting the official sign off, Lisa and James are getting lunch and then taking the world's fastest tour of Philadelphia's historical sights. Lunch: Ben Franklin's print shop: The Liberty Bell (through a window outside -- closed for COVID): Betsy Ross's house: Chinatown: Not exactly historic, but LOOK, there's a James restaurant! And here come Tom and Joseph! And about three hours later, we are home! (Thank you, cute neighbor Charlotte, who "flocked" our yard.)

 They asked us on the first day whether they should put Joseph in a regular hospital bed or a crib. After all, he is four. He sleeps in a toddler bed at home. But what they don't know is that Joseph is part spider monkey. For his safety and all of our sanity, we went with the six-sided, full-enclosure, basically-baby-jail crib. He didn't mind. Rolling down to the cafeteria, the guy at the front desk asked if we'd like these balloons somebody left. Why, yes. Yes, we sure would. The Waddler. Meanwhile, we moved into our third apartment. For Joseph's previous surgery, we stayed at the Ronald McDonald House in Camden, NJ. It was AWESOME, but COVID rules prevented us from bringing siblings. Since James is not really an optional family member, we made alternate arrangements. We were in an Airbnb at the Croydon Apartments up until two days ago. It was nice and tidy and quiet and had a full kitchen. The parking situation was typically Philly-difficult, but that's normal. We...

 Joseph charming the radiologists. Smiling for the camera. Meanwhile, back at the Airbnb, James and I discover Tapper (from Wreck-It Ralph) is a real video game!

Junior Great Horned Owl. The atrium is echo-y. Meeting up with a former coworker, Moses, whose daughter is coincidentally receiving treatment at CHOP at the same time. Always nice to see friends.

  Hi   Fan   Club , Well, we thought we might be heading home today, but a problem he's been having on-and-off since surgery that they thought should have resolved by now still hasn't resolved. It's junctional rhythm with an absent P wave. Requisite link to nearly incomprehensible article here:  https://www.healio.com/ cardiology/learn-the-heart/ ecg-review/ecg-topic-reviews- and-criteria/junctional- rhythms-review Anyway, his heart isn't beating quite right. It doesn't seem to bother him at all, but it bothers the doctors enough that they'd like to keep watching him for another couple of days. So, we'll ask for an extension at the Airbnb and order Joseph some more pancakes and give James more time to work on his new skills and keep ya'll posted. Love, Lisa Flipped the mask. The apron he's wearing has a pocket on the back to hold a little portable monitor. Smiling for the x-ray camera. Repurposing the recycling. Biggest bubble yet.

  Dear Joseph  Fan   Club , Things that happened yesterday: * They removed one of Joseph's three drainage tubes, one electrical line, and one of his three IVs. Joseph barely made a peep during all this. * He ate two bites of a chocolate chip pancake for breakfast. * They removed his Foley catheter and I promised him M&Ms and possibly the moon if he would pee in his diaper. * They got him sitting up on his own and, later, performed some delicate choreography to remove him from the bed and let me hold him on my lap (loooots of tubes and wires to watch out for). * He ate four bites of a chicken nugget for lunch. * Screentime. All the screentime. * He ate two bites of a sandwich for dinner. * He got his M&Ms. * James reports that he watched TV, played video games, and beat his dad at air hockey. Today begins Day Three. Estimated time of departure is Day Seven. So far, we're on track. Love, Lisa Attachments: - 2020 is weird. The view from Joseph's window. People standi...