So in preparing for my husbands upcoming triple bypass surgery, which will happen on July 20th, a few things have had to be changed or altered in order for us to make sure he is following doctors orders of getting rest, not lifting things, and not doing anything too stressful or strenuous.
Nick had purchased 4 tickets for last nights Red Sox/Yankees game, with the intention of him going with my father, my brother, and my nephew; three generations of guys who were/are pitchers, and one (my dad) who actually played for the Red Sox Triple A Farm team back in the 1960s. He was their new left pitcher, and had just signed on to start at Fenway, when he got a shoulder injury that, in those days, was a career ender. My brother grew up playing baseball and was also scouted by lots of schools etc, and now my nephew Brian is one hell of a pitcher in his own right, playing on local baseball leagues and collecting strikeouts in his lefty path. My days 78th birthday is tomorrow, and this was our birthday gift to him – a trip to Fenway Park with his son, grandson, and son-in-law. They did the same thing last summer and had a blast going together.
Enter the doctors, not thinking its a great idea for Nick to make the trip into Fenway which is well over an hour, parking is ludicrous and terrible, and there is LOTS of walking. (which is also hard for my dad) Also, big crowds = chance for covid exposure, and Nick shouldnt take that chance a week and a half before surgery. So I went to the game in his place, and it ended up being a fantastic night out with my family, and I dont get to see my brother and my nephew enough , so that was really great. Im a Yankees fan, but my family are all Red Sox fans, so we have fun with the rivalry of it, and my nephew was SO thrilled to have these incredible seats RIGHT behind the R.S. bullpen – watching his heroes warming up before pitching the game was something quite amazing. One of the pitchers even tossed him a ball, and I got to see the look on his face as he caught it in his glove. Being at Fenway brought back great memories for my dad, who has been having some memory issues lately, and I got to joke around and banter with my brother which is always so much fun. I was sad that Nick couldnt make it, but I was also glad that I got to go in his place.
Today they are all coming over for birthday cake and ice cream, pizza, and hanging out by the pool , to continue the birthday celebration for both parents, whose birthdays both fall in July. Originally we were going to do a bigger party for them, inviting friends over and other family, but with this surgery coming up, it would be too much planning, stress, and work for me and Nick. So we scaled back. Then we were going to have a cookout and have Nick on the grill. Again, I didnt think that was a great idea to be grilling in very warm weather and exhausting sun, while walking around with 95% blockages all around your heart. So we went with ordering pizzas instead. Making small adjustments, and focusing on spending time together. That is all that its ever been about.
