The kindness of my friends

I've received many wishes for my recovery in the forms of emails and cards. I appreciate the thoughts that everyone sends my way for a speedy recovery.

One morning I got a call from friends that there was something on our doorstep. We found a beautiful wooden basket with all sorts of goodies - matzo ball soup, meatloaf and glaze, biscotti and daffodils (I call them Daveydils because David likes them). Fumiko made the best matzo ball soup! The broth was flavorful and the matzo balls light. Actually, everything was fantastic and really appreciated.

Then one day I received a bright bouquet from my USTA tennis team. I miss seeing everyone at our weekly practices and look forward to joining them again in a few weeks.

Unfortunately, this is what the cats do to flowers!

My friend Michelle was smart in bringing me a balloon with the image of a flower on it. The cats didn't eat it, but it became a kitty toy as they jumped for the ribbon and then walked around with the balloon trailing behind them. Everything is a potential toy to kitties!

Stapleless in Seattle

I got my staples removed yesterday - all six of them (nothing compared to the 43 staples David had after his retroperitoneal lymph node dissection). Nice to get rid of those bristly things! Now I have a nice row of steri-strips like a row of piano keys covering the incision.

Can I tell you how much I like nurses? They always have great advise. I asked about help controlling my irregularity and she told me it would take a month to get everything back to normal. Tomorrow is two weeks since the operation so I have two more weeks to go. Keeping on the low residue diet is important as well as doing Kegel exercises to get the strength back into those muscles. I can use Desitin to soothe soreness and I should wear a compression garment (Spanx) to help move the fluids that have accumulated around the incision.

I've also started walking on the treadmill since getting too far from a bathroom right now is not a good idea. Once things are back to normal some of my friends have doggies who would love to accompany us on a walk. Can't wait!

How is it possible?

I was weighed shortly before being released from the hospital, and I gained 6 pounds!

Here is what my diet has been since last Wednesday

Wednesday - clear fluids all day

Thursday - surgery and ice chips only

Friday - clear liquids all day

Saturday -  clear liquids in the morning, half a turkey/ham sandwich, then applesauce, rice, mashed potatoes and a banana

Sunday - nothing in the morning due to nausea, chicken noodle soup for dinner

Monday - half an order of tough blueberry pancakes and orange juice before coming home

They must have really pumped me up with fluids!

Heading home today!

Yesterday was a rough day. After gradually getting better each day, the transition from epidural and IV pain relief to oral meds set me back. I started to develop stomach cramps which lead to a few episodes of nausea. The pain relievers and anti-nausea meds knocked me out and I went from being alert and active to sleeping all day. I had no appetite or energy. It was decided that it would be best if I stayed another night until things stabilized. I was able to get up and shower, as well as, eat a little something for dinner that evening.

I have a whole list of medications to take but best of all, I will not have to give myself shots of Lovenox!  That would have entailed a self administered shot in my stomach for twenty-eight days.

Today, I didn't have any more nausea attacks and feel more alive, so after going through all of the discharge procedures, I'll be out of here and home with David and the kitties.

Had great care when I was here. Here is a view out of the window of my room. Not a great view but I was able to see the morning star (Venus) rise if it was clear.

Got some beautiful flowers from my Colorado family.

Very spring-ish.


Upon getting home I crawled into bed with Daphne on my chest and had a nice long nap!

What's for dinner

Still having control issues with my newly awakened digestive system, so for dinner I'm having a banana, some rice, mashed potatoes and apple sauce. Sounds delicious, right?

But, if I don't get things under control, I might have to stay another day. This could be my diet for the next week or so.

Who wants to join me?

How difficile is it?

First they threaten to put the catheter back in if I don't pee, then when all I produce is diarrhea, they need to wear protective gowns and test for C. difficile.

It's bad enough that the first BM I have in months is all over myself in bed. I found out the meaning of a line in the movie, The Bucket List, where Jack Nicholson says to never trust a fart. Indeed.

And, to top it off, I'm having my first experience with adult diapers. It only gets better.

Eulogy for Igor

My surgery yesterday went well.  David was with me off and on throughout the day/night and my friend Michelle visited me last night. I don't remember anything about the surgery, but the first thing I did in recovery was to feel my stomach. Igor (my stoma) was gone and good riddance! No more getting up in the middle of the night because I sprang a leak. No more kneeling in front of the toilet to empty the bag. No more going to another floor at work because the only stall taken was the handicap. No more taping myself up with plastic wrap before I shower. No more gurgling sounds after I eat. No more slushing around when I play tennis or walk. No more wearing two pairs of underwear (don't ask).

Doctor was pleased and the staff taking care of me are happy with my progress. I'm now on clear liquids as opposed to ice chips. Moving is painful when I engage my core muscles, which you use all of the time.

Here's a picture of me post-surgery. Happy camper, indeed!

Count down

So, the flex sig test I had last Friday did not go well. The other two times I had had this test it was uncomfortable but not painful. Normally I am able to administer the pre-test enema myself, rather than having the nurse do it. So after a painful attempt that included some bleeding, I got what David called concierge service and the nurse completed the procedure. The test was very painful, I found out, because the radiation had damaged the tissues. I was probably told this by the radiologist, but that was gobs of information overload long ago. The pain is something I will experience for the rest of my life.

Now, it's the night before my surgery. I've been on a clear liquid diet all day and feeling grumpy and hungry. I got lots of hugs from coworkers and my tennis team (Yes, I played tonight. Better to keep my mind off of my hunger!) I have nervous energy and am running around putting things together.

We show up at 5:45 AM. Usually you end up being prepped for at least 2 hours. The surgery should be just under an hour and then I will be rid of Igor (a coworker said I should name the stoma). I hope they at least let me have some clear liquids tomorrow night. If I need to show that my system is working, I'll need something for it to work on, my own Mr. Hanky!

Lucky me, my first one!

Barium enema, that is.

Never had having this test done, I was apprehensive. It wasn't as bad as I expected but still not pleasant. I feel like I was violated, and after leaving felt like I had to be near "the necessary", as my mom calls it.

The nurse said I was lucky since I have an ileostomy. Really? Well, it meant I had less prep to do before the test which would have meant a clear liquid diet for a day or more. I guess there's always something to be thankful for.

Next up? On Friday a flex sig. No prep for that besides a pre-procedure enema. Oh the joys I am experiencing. Then I meet with the surgeon to go over my upcoming surgery on 2/13.

My sister has been telling her friends that I'm getting my asshole back for Valentine's Day. One of them asked, "Does her husband travel a lot"?

Any way, the test results were good (I'm not leaking) and I thought of pleasant things while undergoing it to keep my mind off what was happening.

Like kittens.

Or the Seahawks win!!! Yeah!