June 29th, 2018. 1:30pm.

The nurses had teased me with an early discharge. They said my cranial pressure was back to normal and if my latest MRI came back looking good, I’d be released. The news were exciting as there’s little freedom in a hospital. Very little time to rest.

Outside, it was a bright and sunny day. Far too bright for my eyes to adjust. Actually, it was too much of everything: real hot, real loud, real uncomfortable, real...real. 

Jen and I had arranged for one of my closest and oldest friends to pick me up. It was important to avoid asking family for a ride back. As much as I love those people, I didn’t have the energy or mind space to entertain, I wanted to be alone.

My friend exited the car to help me get off my wheelchair. As he carefully made sure I didn’t topple over, he uttered:

“You look like shit dude.”

I can’t communicate the relief I felt. There’s no place like the real world.