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I managed to sleep a bit last night. I find hotels hard to sleep in as the sounds wake you up in a strange bed repeatedly. I started with the new day at about 7:30. I managed to write the blog for Tuesday’s first off. I had to dress and get to the hotel-supplied breakfast to get a cup of coffee and yogurt by 9. I had another pastry cream-filled that I was cautious with. That and coffee and yogurt had me ready.

I then headed to the hospital to see Susie by Uber. I was not ready to walk 16 blocks this morning. I managed to get there just after 10, and there was no line to get through the approval process. Susie was not as bright as she was the day before, but she was still back. Susie was tired of being alone in a hospital room and wanted to go home. I understand.

We were met by the dietician intern, and she was surprised to speak to a retired dietitian. She took food information from Susie, and they talked about the intern experience. Susie is back.

I could not wait for the doctors today, and Susie was not allowed water or food as she had a CT scan, and food and water were not allowed. So I headed out to find the new apartment off of 104. I took the subway. It has been a long time since I have done this. I have an app that is a map of the system and used that to find my way. I can also use my iPhone to pay the fee, making it very easy to use.

I was surprised by the number of stairs, but I managed. I found the 1 train uptown and managed to get off at the correct station. I found the apartment, and it is very nice. A day bed with a kitchen. Bedding and plates and pans are available. I managed to use the internet too. I will move in tomorrow.

Lunch was a hard choice. I found a Chinese place near the subway entrance. They spoke very little English, and I discovered I had in error had a to-go order. I could not fix that unless I paid $2. So I did, and they showed me to a table and poured me water to drink. The food was good, but it was a strange experience.

I took the 1 train back downtown, walked the four blocks to Mount Sinai West, and returned to Susie. Susie was sitting up and having a late lunch in a chair when I got there. She was still grumpy, but she looked better.

I hung out with Susie until about 5ish. I made some Facetime calls with friends to help Susie not feel so alone. Everyone was happy to talk to Susie. I said my goodbye to Susie, and Susie was trying to be brave. It is hard to be alone in a strange place!

This time no Uber for my return to Times Square; I walked back to the Columbia Circle station and rode the subway 1 Train back to Times Square. I then walked back to the hotel; this is about six blocks total. Finally, reaching the hotel.

I then started to pack and rested a bit.

Lastly, I headed to the Beer Authority for dinner and a place to write. I will return to the hotel soon to pack and read and try to sleep. One last night at Times Square.

Susie was much better today. She said it was like she was no longer behind a screen and herself now. Physical Therapy had her out of bed and stand and walk in a walker to the door and back. Previously, on Saturday, she could not stand when I called the EMTs.

Mariah returned without incident to Oregon and picked up Air Volvo, and returned the car to the Volvo Cave.

Harriet Olson of the United Methodist Women, a slightly independent organization in the United Methodist Church, has a studio apartment to use at 104 street. I will make a donation to cover the cleaning costs and whatever I can afford. I will try to be at the apartment in the next few days.

Kat and I had a massive dinner at a local Italian-styled place off of Ninth Street (Just next to the Irish place I ate at with Mariah).

The only thing that really went wrong was I slept into 8ish and then had a pastry that Mariah got me. It was cream-filled and sort of exploded when I absentmindedly bit into the thing while writing this blog. I am happy nobody saw that.

New travel rule: Approach all unknown breakfast pastries with caution. It might be loaded.

I delivered a stuffed animal to Susie; Mariah bought her a Hedwig owl at the Harry Potter store. Susie was overwhelmed by seeing it. I think that helped bring her back as everything else, the hospital room, the food, the sounds, and the smells, were all new and a bit scary, and so a small friendly Hedwig just made her feel like herself again.

It was a good day here in NYC. I had to check out and check back into the hotel. They recleaned the room as it is now a new reservation.

I am overwhelmed by the kindness and all the help we are receiving.

Susie is accepted into Rehab at the hospital. She will not have to be transported.

I suspect I will get to be an accidental resident for about two weeks.

I wrote this the following day, which usually means it feels more like an outline as I am further away from the emotions, sorry. I was too tired to write last night. I hope this more direct outline will be OK.

The morning started with me up at 7ish and breakfast, all clean and bright, by 7:45 to beat the last-minute rush for the included hotel breakfast. The room was clean, at least. I had convinced the hotel staff to clean the room as I was staying to at least Saturday.

I finished breakfast and then took an Uber; no walking 16 blocks today and arrived before 9. No visitors until after 10. No exceptions.

There is a nice small park in the front of the hospital called Roosevelt Park and was once the burial location of the founder of the hospital, a Roosevelt family member. Apparently, reading online, the hospital was renamed Mount Sinai West over the objections of the Roosevelt family, and they disinterred and moved Mr. Roosevelt’s early remains to the family plot. This brought clarity to me as I had heard of Roosevelt Hospital before.

After a pleasant hour break, I followed the process of two lines and using the elevator to find Susie was gone from her room. Heart test. She returned and then actually ate her breakfast.

Susie is a bit confused, and her speech stammers a bit. I can see in her eyes that she is completely overwhelmed by the events and is just trying to push through.

We met with all the doctors, about six, and they declared that Susie had had a stroke, and later we learned in a different place than last time. The lesions were artifacts in the CT scan and not Brain Cancer, as they feared. They believe they can get Susie out of the hospital in a few days.

Lunch came, and I helped cut the food as the nurses were less helpful this time. We then met new doctors, neurologists, and they were unhappy that Susie had had a second stroke. They wanted to look into Susie’s care and see what steps could prevent another stroke. They would dig through Susie’s records and out more information and get back to us. All three left in a huff, seemly insulted that Susie had a stroke, but I think they will help.

It was almost three in the afternoon; I had taken off for Greek food down the street by then. I had a salad and an iced tea. I followed that up with dessert and coffee.

The folks, seeing all the hospital tickets on my sweater, were very kind and helpful. They knew I was an accidental diner. I needed a break.

We had met with Physical Therapy and learned that Susie needed rehabilitation work at a facility. We were not going home soon. Susie cannot walk safely, and it would be risking her to take her home. The hospital would discharge her into the care of a local rehab place. I was going to be here for weeks.

I tied the Mount Sinai MyChart software to the Oregon records, also MyChart, so I can now see everything on one screen in the MyChart software. Susie now has an account at Mount Sinai. I demanded that Mount Sinai give our doctors in Oregon access to the real-time medical results. So far, I am not heard, but I will try again.

Susan’s family contacted the Methodists in NYC and got me options for housing. I spoke to Julia Tulloch, who lives here and has known Susie’s family for years. She and local folks are looking for a place for me to stay.

Susie had dinner about 6ish, and I helped a bit by cutting up some items and getting more napkins. I left just before 7ish by Uber.

I had to wander the streets for a while, as the Uber did not pull up to the hospital. So I walked until the driver spotted me. And finally returned to the hotel and changed and cleaned up.

Dinner, the last one for Mariah, was @Nine Thai place just around the corner and three blocks away. Mariah and Kat had trouble finding it. It was packed; I got the last table for three.

Mariah told us her stories of her 40+ block walk today. She made it to the new Harry Potter experience store. Susie has a new owl, Hedwig.

I returned to the hotel and slept late.

The morning started with my alarm at 7. My sleep was broken with bad dreams and worries as I missed Susie in my room. She was in the hospital and finally admitted to the hospital later that night. No MRI was managed overnight.

I dressed slowly and was at breakfast, free with the hotel stay, before eight, and had a seat and managed a bagel and yogurt. Soon there was a rush, and soon there was a line and a request for folks to take to-go containers back to their rooms. So I will try to be there no later than 7:45!

I took an Uber to the hospital without issue. I found my way through the checks and then to Susie’s room. Susie was uncomfortable and pushed her assistance button. After 30 minutes, no one responded. I was unhappy with that. I was also disappointed that the MRI was not scheduled. I asked for the supervisor and complained that I should just have Susie discharged if they would not care for her.

I received multiple apologies and a solid effort to help. It seems, not being from NYC, we were too Portland Polite. I was very direct after that. They were polite, a role reversal.

Susie’s MRI was finally at 5PM, and they , doc here in NYC, now have access to the previous CT and MRI for Susie. So I expect a preliminary finding on Monday.

I left Susie as she was finishing her chicken quarter for dinner. She was hungry and eating well. Her hand is shaking, so it is messy, but that is just a minor issue.

I met Kat Smith and Mariah for dinner at The Meatball Shop in Hell’s Kitchen five blocks from the hospital. Hell’s Kitchen is now a hip foodie land of wonder; many languages are heard when you walk the sidewalks. I

t is also required to present ID and a Vax card to enter any place for food, drinks, or a hotel room in New York City. No excuses are accepted here; this is New York City!

The food was great!

Mariah and I headed back to the hotel while Kat went back to the Kat Lair two blocks away. I then moved Susie’s and my flight to Saturday and got the Fairfield Inn to not overcharge me for four more days. The manager cut me a good deal.

I then needed to do this blog and headed to the Beer Authority, just down the street from the Fairfield Inn, to write and call some folks. I had a beer and a munchy to help lubricate the writing process. The noise and the liveliness helped write today’s story. And I am closing the bar this Sunday at 11:30 with the last call.

There is a comic and gaming convention in the area. I did pass my a Star Trek NG Cosplayers table. I did not pack my bat’lesh, so I passed the chance test them.

We will learn more facts on Monday, and I have to connect with mine and Susie’s doctors over the extended stay, here and back in Oregon.

I hope you liked the story. Thanks for reading.