Belmont Day

Well, I have made it through another week of recovery and rehab! Greta has been here with me since Wednesday and I have enjoyed hanging out with her. After a lazy day on Wednesday, we had a busy day on Thursday. After my blood work, X-ray, and rehab that morning, we went out exploring and shopping. I was on the search for Park Avenue Coffee, which was crowned the maker of the best gooey butter cake in St. Louis by the Food Network. We didn't have to go far since it located near the hotel in the Lafayette Square neighborhood. After buying two slices of cake (which I enjoyed last night before bed), we went to a cute boutique next door that had many unique items. It felt great to buy some gifts! After that we went for frozen custard! (Of course we did!) Greta is now on board as a fan! After that, Greta twisted my arm and made me go to Archivers, a store for scrap bookers. I have resisted the scrap booking temptation for years, knowing that I would probably like it and spend too much money. But I really think I should create a book to mark this event, so Greta was more than happy to get me started!  (Aunt Nancy will be proud of me!)  All in all, a busy day for me!

Picking out cake slices!

Greta enjoyed her banana split from Ted Drewes!

Yesterday was a big day for me; I had my first bronchoscopy since leaving the hospital. A bronch is a procedure where I am under light sedation and the doctor uses a scope to inspect my lungs and also take a small piece of tissue for a biopsy. They are looking for any signs of infection or rejection in my new lungs. I should know the results on Monday. My bronch started at about 10:30am and took about an hour or so and then I had to get fully awake before we could leave. We didn't get back to the hotel until about 3:30; Greta had to wait awhile for me! I was pretty groggy and once back in my room, I slept until 8:15! I got up briefly, ate a little supper and went back to bed! I wasn't the best company yesterday!

Today I have had a bit of a Versed hangover, but I have willed myself to get up and do some things. We enjoyed breakfast here at the hotel, then for lunch we went to Zia's in the Italian neighborhood, The Hill. It was very good, and we brought home leftovers!

So, settled in for the evening, we just watched the Belmont Stakes. I was disappointed for Animal Kingdom and his connections, but what a pay-off for some lucky people! Greta will be here until tomorrow afternoon, then my sister Renee takes another turn as my companion. This time with Greta has also flown by!

Pretty flowers at the hotel entrance