13 – On the Way Home from Rehab

Albert was released from rehab after four weeks of intensive therapy! The therapists cheered as they helped him into the car and as we drove away from the rehabilitation center. Albert was so happy and was grinning from ear to ear. I was happy too. We were finally free from hospitals after two full months. It was late morning and I asked Albert if he wanted to go to a restaurant to eat. He said yes and we went to Chili’s Restaurant

I didn’t realize what I was getting myself into but should have figured it out before going to the restaurant.  When we arrived at Chili’s, I had to get the wheelchair out of the trunk and wheel it to Albert’s door, putting the lock on it.  I then helped Albert out of the car and into the wheelchair. It took a little bit of time because it was my first experience with a wheelchair. I wheeled him into the restaurant and the waiter took us to a table for the handicap. It was about 11 AM and Chili’s was not very busy, which was good. 

Albert looked at the menu, but couldn’t order lunch on his own. He showed me what he wanted to eat and I ordered it for him. Albert was happy to be sitting in a restaurant and to be eating regular food. His choice was chicken fajitas with cheese, onions, and salsa, which he hadn’t had in months.  It was an enjoyable lunch, but it was then that I realized we would not have conversations while eating for the near future. There was little to say because Albert couldn’t answer any questions or make conversation. We ate in silence. I wanted to get on my cell phone, which would’ve given me something to do, but didn’t. We sat facing each other, smiled at each other, and ate our lunch.

When we were done eating, the waiter brought us our bill, which I paid. It was beginning to get busy so Albert and I left the restaurant. I wheeled him to the car and helped him get back into the. Once he was in the car, I helped him put the seatbelt on and closed the door.  Then I put the wheelchair back into the trunk, got in the car and we drove home  This was my new normal: Helping Albert into the car, out of the car, putting the wheelchair into the trunk, and taking the wheelchair out of the trunk. 

Things were going to be tough but I knew that I could do this. When we got married years ago, the minister said those famous words,  “from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health… This is sickness and in health and for better, for worse. I gave my word so we move forward together.