2 November 2024–Dad Has Been Sprung! Today began with a little bit of apprehension, lots of hope, acceptance, and commitment. After a National Holliday yesterday, doctors were back on duty today at the Nuovo Ospedale di San Giovanni Battista in Foligno, Umbria, Italy. We hoped that John would be discharged today, because we knew that a discharge on Sunday would be unlikely, and we did not know how John’s labs would turn out this morning. The labs were still not perfect, but after a discussion, efforts at persuasion, with both the doctor and the nurse, and after the doctor’s consultation with the specialist, we agreed that Dad would be discharged today with some different meds, a precautionary diet, and follow-up instructions upon his return to the U.S. I am 100% convinced that we’ve had some hard-working and vigilant Guardian Angels throughout this trip. I have seen so many people and events that have occurred when things sometimes felt hopeless but yet they have managed to miraculously turn things around. Although I don’t know how to do it very well, I cannot underestimate the power of prayer! Anywho, we immediately went for a quick lunch nearby and travelled to Bevigna, a quaint little medieval town just about a ten-minute drive from the hospital. This town was not perched up on a hill, so there was very little uphill/downhill walking—just the right amount for someone who just got out of the hospital and for his spouse who hates to walk uphill anywhere/anytime. We visited the Church of San Francesco in Bevigna, and we enjoyed watching children of different ages racing (running) through the crowded and narrow town center streets! In the piazza, there was a large “market” going on, in this case, it was composed of goods that individuals had created by hand, such as embroidery, and so on, as well as necklaces…. It was reminiscent to me of a large outdoor craft fair selling beautiful handmade products. Evening came quickly today, but the sunset was beautiful once again. We shopped for some diet-conforming food items before heading to Vesuvius restaurant for some real food after a seemingly long hiatus. John had a beef filet, which he said was the best meat that he has had in Italy so far. I had Gnocchi all Sagrantino, potato gnocchi in the local wine (Sagrantino) sauce. VERY interesting, and I am delighted to add these to my repertoire of gnocchi-any-anytime-I-can-possibly-find-them. It is so very good to have my hubby back home with me tonight!
Our Travels 