We're heading home!

Samuel and Hannah have had a few days to recuperate and get used to their new bodies plus and minus kidneys. They weren't up to doing much, but we made a point to get them out of the hotel room at least once a day for a walk. We found a nearby cinema with 24 movie theaters and learned that tickets are not expensive if you go before noon. That was just their speed so we went a couple times. Shuffle in, sit for a couple hours, shuffle out.

Samuel has also developed a hankering for Whataburgers and mango smoothies from Panera. Smoothie and burger runs have been an almost daily activity. Add to the schedule lots of naps, the history channel, and some dinners out and you've got a pretty good idea how they've spent the last few days.

Yesterday in clinic Samuel and Hannah both got official clearance to head home! Labs are good, incisions are healing. To celebrate, we decided to drive into downtown San Antonio. Along the way, Samuel needed a snack so, of course, we had to stop at Whataburger. Up until now, we had only been using the drive-through, so yesterday's visit inside an actual Whataburger restaurant was a big event. We all sat and took great pleasure in watching Samuel enjoy food!

Here is Samuel schmoozing with the Whataburger manager. We'll have to make one more trip to Whataburger today before we leave town because the manager gave Samuel a voucher for a free burger and you sure won't find a Whataburger in the Northeast!




We eventually made it downtown and did some shopping at the Market Square and had a late lunch at a Mexican restaurant, Mi Tierra. We had the full experience complete with Mariachis singing at our table!


We also went to the bakery at Mi Tierra and got a box of traditional Mexican goodies for the dialysis nurses back home. It's not chocolate, but hopefully they'll still enjoy the treats! I can't believe I actually got the box into my suitcase!

Well, I still have some things to do before we head out. Can't wait to see the other kiddos! We are scheduled to land in Burlington at 10:30 tonight.

If you don't hear from me for a few days, you should assume that all is well. We are coming home and jumping into a busy schedule. Samuel has an appointment up at the hospital with Dr. Guillot bright and early Wednesday morning and, of course, that will include a visit with his beloved dialysis nurses! Then those in our family who are able and available will be driving down to Brattleboro on Thursday to celebrate Thanksgiving with family. It truly will be a celebration! We have so much to be thankful for!