We finally got family to understand why Jim needed one day to rest in between days. If he goes out on Monday, he's resting on Tuesday. Friends, only a few get it, and they are still around.

We're going to see some friends we lived next door to in Germany at the end of May. They couldn't understand why we needed a hotel room and couldn't stay at their house. I tried to explain how we have to take the whole hospital with us when we travel and how Jim needs privacy. They were OK with it but ended with "Just know you can stay here." That was a nice change of pace. I don't think they fully understand yet but will once we see them. Last time they saw Jim he was just diagnosed and was using a cane.

These friends took Jim in when he was diagnosed and helped take care of him. They were some of the best friends we had. I had to come home to the US to have our youngest child and Jim was left behind. They filled in for "his family" while he was being discharged. It will be good to see them again.