Great Day

We had a great day, starting with Steve's appointment with Dr. Hanpeter.  We actually got to Providence Holy Cross Hospital this morning around 8:30 because Steve had to report to radiology for a chest x-ray.  Then we headed over to Dr. Hanpeter's office, across the street from the hospital, for a 10:00 am appointment.  It was great to see Dr. Hanpeter who seemed so relaxed outside of the hospital environment.  He and Steve joked around a bit and I decided that the more I'm around him, the more I really really like Dr. Hanpeter.  Dr. Hanpeter was very pleased with Steve's progress.  He said the chest x-ray wasn't perfect, but it looked better than the last one, before Steve was discharged from the hospital.  There's still a decent amount of fluid around the left lung and some of that will resolve on it's own.  However, Dr. Hanpeter said that there will always be fluid around that lung and some of it will turn into scar tissue so Steve's left lung will never ever be what it once was.  Steve will remain on the blood thinners for six months so that the blood clot in his upper left chest where the vein once was will not get any bigger.  Dr. Hanpeter thought all of Steve's wounds were looking really good and won't need bandages much longer, including the stoma where the trach tube had been.  Steve feels self conscious about that though so he will probably still wear a bandage on the stoma for a while.  Just one month ago today, this is what Steve looked like:

  He's come so far.

After the doctor's appointment, we went to 77th Division for what can only be described as a gathering of amazing, talented, generous, selfless, altruistic, benevolent people.  They came from every division of the LAPD, they came from places outside the LAPD, including LAFD and even the private sector for a BBQ Fundraiser for Steve and our family.  I truly have no words to describe our level of gratitude for this event and every single person who showed up in support of our family.  Thank you just doesn't seem like enough, but on behalf of Steve and the entire Jenkins family, thank you.  To Officer Tanya Eppenger-Campbell, who conceived the idea of the BBQ and organized the event, you are our hero, our luminary, and we are beyond grateful for you.  To Teri Casey, girl, I owe you so much more than a pedicure!  To Tami Baumann and Joy Williams, you girls rock!  To everyone who made this event happen, you will always have a very special place in my heart.  To Mark Geiger, Steve is SO sorry he missed you! 

We only stayed for about 45 minutes because Steve was pretty spent after the doctor's appointment.  I tried to take as many photographs in that short time as I could.

Steve with Officer Tanya Eppenger-Campbell

Some of the girls:

 Sgt. Teri Casey and Officer Joy Williams

 Sgt. Tami Baumann and Teri

Officers Rebecca Martin and Catherine Durant

(My locker room confidantes)

Steve and the guys:

 Steve and Officer Ed Pigao

 Steve and Sgt. Steve Dorsey

  Steve and Sgt. Ozzie Ramos and Det. Tom Matthews

The Captains of 77th:

 Capt. Dennis Kato

Capt. Jorge Rodriguez

Random shots:

 Sgt. Craig Valenzuela and his son

 Look at all these people!

The Chef

We wished we could have stayed the entire time.  Steve wanted to shake the hand of every person who attended.  It was a great day.