Back to Hanover

On Tuesday, Ben and I started back to the East coast. Believe it or not, United actually got us to Boston on time and Ben and I managed not to have too much drama between us. He and Gary had bets on when we'd get into it first. Gary said in the car. I think Ben said sooner. No sooner had he said that than I got in Ben's way in the kitchen (as I am prone to do) and we hadn't even left the house. Then there was the 2 coat discussion (also before we left the house). As most of you know who know me, I like to be prepared so in my 22" carry on and briefcase bag for 2 weeks (Ben brags to others that I'm the best packer in the world but apparently not this time.), the girl scout in me made me have everything including my own raw sugar packets and 2 coats (in case it's like Alaska like the last time I was here). Of course, Ben had coordinated so that Teresa (who had taken the coach from Hanover to meet us at the airport) was there 10 minutes before us and Marion Eklund (Mom of Ben's friend Andy from Williams) was there to pick us up and give us a warm welcome. All that made it seem like we were coming home. Marion gave us a tour of Wellesley and showed us where we were going to dinner before we headed "home". Ben, Teresa and I went to Blue Ginger to celebrate Teresa's birthday. It was great. Then we headed "home" to the Ecklunds beautiful New England home where we caught up with Paul and Marion and then went to bed.
On Wednesday, we got an early start so we could get to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center for pre surgery lab work and appointments. The facility is so easy to navigate and they treat Ben like he's a Lord. I think they treat everyone that way. We got there at 10:30 and didn't leave until 3:30. Good news that Ben's BHCG was still below 1 and the AFP dropped from 9 to 4. Ben's surgeon John Singe inspires great confidence. We all agreed that we made the right decision coming back to Dartmouth for the surgery. Lots of paperwork including some scary stuff like Medical Power of Attorney. Ben also had to attend to some paperwork for his Medical Leave of Absence from Dartmouth which he dropped off this am. Ben and Teresa left me at the Residence Inn and headed to her house to rest. Unfortunately, they didn't have the right room and the one that they had wreaked of air freshener which made me cough (and become asmatic overnight) but it smelled even worse when that dissapated. SMOKE in a non smoking hotel. Ben and I had dinner with Shahid at the Jewel of India. It was great.
Today Ben ran around this morning and this afternoon started the fun process of cleansing his colon in preparation for the surgery. I got our rooms straightened out (really non smoking) but apparently the concept of two last names in one room is not on the New England radar so they only have us under Grass. We have to be there at 6 am for a 7:30 surgery. The surgery is expected to take at least 5 hours.
Harry arrives tonight. He and I will be at the Residence Inn until Ben gets out of the hospital and then we will all be staying at Teresa's grandparents house in an apartment they have graciously offered us until Ben can travel back to Colorado for a few more weeks of recuperation.
I have pictures but I don't have the cord to the camera so we'll have to post those later.
Thank you to all of you who have called and written. I know it makes me feel like you are all here with us.
Love,
Amy