An Unexpected Delay

The day started with happy news of the trip home: Bob and my mom would be on a flight from Rio to New York City on wednesday night accompanied by two medics from the US. From New York, they would all take an ambulance flight to Boston. Once they arrived in Boston, Bob would go straight to Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. In the afternoon my mom rushed to get all the bags packed, said her goodbyes to family, friends and the hospital staff... But at 8:30 pm, I got a call from her to say they would not be returning tomorrow. The organization in charge of Bob's transportation failed to realize that Americans entering Brasil need a visa and the two medics they were sending from the US to fly back with my parents are going to need five days to get visas. Sunday night is the earliest they can return home. Yet this is not set in stone. Plans are still being made.

This travel day change is beyond anticlimactic, it's a huge source of anxiety that just keeps on getting larger and larger. We are hoping that Spaulding will hold a room for Bob. We are hoping the transportation organization can get a visa in such little time. We are hoping they can find tickets for everyone for Sunday.

So now we wait. Again. More frustrated than before, more stressed than before.

Regardless of the bad news that came at night, Bob had a good day. He went for a ride on a wheel chair and left his room to visit other parts of the hospital. He went to the cafe and had a juice. Bob went to the wing where he stayed when he first arrived at the hospital and posed with the nurses that took care of him there. Here is a picture:

Everyone at the hospital in Rio really cares about Bob. Many members of the staff have asked my mom to send them emails with updates on how Bob's recovery is coming along. There is no doubt that he will be well taken care of these extra unexpected days.

Well, at least it isn't a medical issue that will be keeping Bob in Rio longer. It's time to put on the Pollyanna glasses. Thanks for reading and keep the positive thoughts and prayers coming.