Life

I've been trying to figure out how to write this post ever since I was able to write again about 3 weeks ago.  Most of you know that I was hospitalized in mid-June.  At first, I thought about  sharing the whole story, but I've decided that most of the information about the experience is too overwhelming to make public.  So I'm just going to tell the bare details for those of you who didn't know, and I'll also include some observations about Korean hospitals.

I had a stroke while at school, and the doctors and nurses at the hospital were able to stabilize me.  Though I couldn't speak well, write, read, or remember words or things for about a week, most of these abilities have returned completely over the past month.  One thing that I still struggle with is my eyesight.  Right now, I have double vision, so I have to wear an eye patch on one of my eyes to see clearly.  However, the ophthalmologist was very positive about my prognosis.  My eyes should be fully recovered within 6 months to a year.

Hospitals in Korea are... interesting.  My memories of hospitals in America are very different from my experience here.  For one thing, if you have insurance here, it's pretty cheap to get healthcare even in the hospital (except for some more technical tests).  For example, for a bed in this Korean hospital, one night is less than $20.  However, I always stayed in a room with 5 other patients... and I don't know how expensive single rooms are.  There aren't too many of those.

The food is pretty bad, but isn't it just as bad in America?  Funny, though:  their idea of "Western food" to accommodate me was just... weird.  For example, one night I told the nurse I'd just like toast and fruit for breakfast the next day... and they gave me a tuna salad sandwich with my apple.  Sigh.

My breakfast.

Mom has been here for a month, and she has been a great help.  I know she's ready to get back home, but I hope she had some good experiences here!  I don't think she'll ever really love Korean food, even after a month's stay, but she was a good sport about all the odd things we have to do as foreigners in Korea.

The neurologist and the PT gave me permission to return to work when I feel up to it, and I am SO EXCITED to go back.  Staying at home, mostly bedridden, is not my idea of fun.  I miss my kids, and I miss having things to do.  My official first day back at school is Monday, August 5th (right after vacation).  I plan to go to the July field trip next Friday so I can see the kindergartens before the first day.  I agree with Ben and the Korean teachers that it would be better to see the kids before I return so they can get accustomed to me again.  I'll be looking like a pirate, after all!  It will be a good time, though, and I'm looking forward to it.

Things are looking up, and thanks again to all of you who have been thinking of us and praying for us.  I'm so lucky and grateful to have my life and that I am recovering so quickly.

Have a great weekend!