Random stuff...

The boys are here…

Alison arrived yesterday with Trent and Carter. It’s been fun every since. “Busy” describes Trent best. He always has something going on. He’s so much fun. Carter is pretty laid back at this point. He just lays around looking at the world go by. He likes to have someone near him.

This morning Alison asked if Carter woke me last night. He didn’t. She said he woke up at 3:30 and 5:30 to “talk and fart.” Hmm…sounds a like a man in his fifties.

You can never have too many friends…

Our dear friend Terry Frank stopped by this morning. Terry brought us a barbeque brisket…a huge barbeque brisket. Guess what we’re having for dinner. Terry has been one of our biggest supporters throughout my illness. She sends us inspirational quotes and messages of encouragement regularly. As I said, Terry is a dear friend.

Getting stronger...

Apart from some weird numbness/pain in my legs I feel pretty good. I plan to extend my walks next week to build up some endurance. Monday will mark five weeks since surgery. My goal was to be walking (maybe running) at six weeks. We’ll see…

Passing the time...slowly.

I knew it would happen eventually…boredom.

Since I’m limited physically and fairly tired every day I spend quite a bit of time sitting. I try to stay busy reading, blogging and watching TV. For exercise I walk around the house, up and down stairs. I go outside with Lucy and walk up and down the sidewalk. I always end up back in my big chair, usually taking a nap mid-afternoon. That’s as good as it gets for now.

Are you hungry?

I watch the Food Network constantly. My favorite show is Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It’s comfort food at its best. I’ve actually downloaded several recipes. When I’m feeling better and can get to the store I'll try some of them. I also like any show with Bobby Flay. He grills all sorts of foods. Grilling is my favorite way to cook. As much as Ginger has taken care of me the past few months I certainly intend to cook for her when I get stronger.

Big weekend coming up…

Alison and the boys are visiting this weekend. They’re due to arrive Friday, staying through the weekend. I can’t wait to see them. Grandpa will be a little boring this trip but Grandma Ginger won’t. She loves to spoil those babies.

Trent after he found out he's coming to visit me...

(I made that up)

Brief update...

Saturday’s flood waters receded just in time. We ended up with a little water in the garage but none in the house. We were fortunate. Many people in our area had water damage. Sunday, Ginger cleaned up the yard. I so wish I could help her but I have to lay low until I heal.

I feel a little stronger each day. My appetite is good and my weight (loss) has stabilized. I don’t mind losing weight but there are better ways to do it. My incision is healing and shrinking, now that the staples have been out for a week. My two “wounds” are closing and should be healed soon. Overall I feel pretty good.

Big CONGRATULATIONS to my niece Ashlie! Ashlie completed her first triathlon in St. Augustine this past weekend. That would mean swimming in the ocean, a tough way to do your first event. I admire anyone who can do the training let alone complete an event. Way to go Ashlie!

Brittany will be coming home in a few weeks. Can’t wait to see her! I know she has a busy summer planned but it will be good to have her home. I’ll still be on medical leave when she gets home so I’ll get to spend some time with her.

What next?

As if we haven’t had enough challenges of late… It started raining this morning. Then it rained some more, and more, and more. Here are a few snapshots from our front door. The water is up to the house with a little in the garage. Hopefully it will let up soon before it gets into the house.

Let's make some memories...

I don't need to look very far for motivation to get healthy. I want my four, darling grandchildren to know me as a fun, loving grandpa for as long as possible.

My mother’s father passed away when I was very young so I didn’t know him. My father’s father lived into his 90’s. He lived on a farm in Ontario (Canada). We visited every summer and at least one Christmas. That Christmas I remember him hooking two horses to a big sled and taking us for a ride through the fields. It was like a Budweiser commercial. I have very fond memories of our visits to the farm, and Canada.

I don’t plan on having a farm but I do want the grandkids to enjoy their time with us. I look forward to making fond memories with them…

Braden & Teagan

Trent & Carter

Super Tuesday

It’s no secret I was looking forward to Tuesday, the day my tubes and staples would be removed. It turned out to be more eventful than I had anticipated.

Riding to M.D. Anderson I became nauseas and very dizzy. When we arrived Ginger had to put me in a wheelchair to get me to the clinic. I felt so bad for her. She had all of our “stuff” to carry plus me to push. It was a rough start to the day. It was 8:00 AM.

First stop was for my cystogram, a contrast x-ray of my new bladder. They laid me on a table with all kinds of machines hanging from the ceiling, stuck more tubes in me and injected fluids. It wasn’t painful but was uncomfortable. They took pictures from all angles. I actually got to see them on the monitor. My new bladder looks like the old one, albeit cancer free. We were finished at 10:00 AM.

Our next stop was at Dr. Kamat’s area. We arrived a little after 10:00. We found out our appointment was for 2:00. The receptionist checked us in anyway and told us we wouldn’t have to wait long. We got in just before 11:00.

Let the waiting begin…

Suffice to say we were in an examination room for four hours. First the P.A. came in to assess my condition. He told us the cystogram came back good, meaning the new bladder was intact and ready to go. Next (but some time later) Dr. Kamat came in. He told us everything looked good and that the staples and tubes would be removed. I was so happy!!!

Now for the BIG NEWS…

Dr. Kamat had several pages of data in his hand. He told us it was the pathology report from my surgery. It showed that the cancer was gone. All lymph nodes and organs are clear. I understood what he was saying but didn’t really grasp it at that moment. I just kept thanking him. He told us we didn’t need to come back for three months. As soon as he left, Ginger and I broke down in tears. It was joy, gratitude, relief and appreciation all rolled into one, big cry.

Let the fun begin…

The P.A. returned to remove my kidney stints. He said I might feel some pressure. I’ve learned “pressure” in medical terms means pain. He was right. It felt like my left kidney was being removed with a line and fish hook.

Next, the nurse came in to remove the catheter (that had been in for three weeks). She said it would be uncomfortable. If pressure means pain what do you suppose “uncomfortable” might be? OH-MY-GOD!!! Leave it at that. Poor Ginger had to witness all of this.

Next, time to remove the staples. We’re talking metal staples. The nurse said it would feel like mosquito bites…really big mosquitoes. It wasn’t fun but tolerable after the catheter.

Finally, a visit from the WOC Nurse. She taught me how to self-catheterize, learn to control the new bladder and care for my wounds.

Now it’s on me to regain my strength and get back to normal life as soon as I can.

Three days to go...

My little dog Lucy has become my constant companion. I’ve been sleeping on the sofa in our family room since I came home. It’s just easier for me to maneuver while I still have these tubes. Lucy, who normally sleeps in her bed in our bedroom, has stayed with me every night. She’s decided to watch over me while I recover. One night this week I decided to lay down in our guest room. Lucy slept under the bed while I napped. The unconditional love of a dog is a true form of healing.

I’ve been counting the days until the 14th. I so want to lose the tubes, have the staples removed and move forward with recovery. I still have a long way to go but mobility will help a lot.

Ginger is on a mission to win “Yard of the Month” in our subdivision. I swear she’s planted flowers everywhere these past few weeks. I haven’t seen them but I’m sure the yard looks great. What a woman!!!

The one and only Lucy...

Ten Days Later...

I’ve been home ten days. It’s been quite a journey so far. The most noticeable change is my strength. Last Tuesday I walked up the stairs, sat on the bed and passed out…literally. I went too fast, too soon. Now I can make multiple, albeit slow, trips every day. I can even give myself a shower. Getting up and down from my chair is easier too. I haven’t used my walker in a week.

Next Tuesday, April 14, I go back to the doctor for my first follow-up. My two “tubes” will be removed along with my staples. CAN’T WAIT! After that, some rehab and continued recovery.

While Ginger continues to be my special caregiver, a friend and nurse, Vicki Beck has also been a special blessing. A portion of my incision has to be treated (repacked) twice a day. Neither Ginger nor I felt comfortable doing this. When I came home it took 16” of gauze to fill it…it was that deep. It can be painful. Since day one Vicki has stopped by twice a day to do this for us. The wound is now ½” deep and healing. Thank you Vicki!

The scar… I really hadn’t paid much attention to my incision. While in the hospital several nurses mentioned my “beautiful” scar and the bragging rights it gave me. I’m like “HUH?” Monday I actually looked at it. Whoa! It must be 18” top to bottom. Dang, no wonder my stomach is sore. I don’t know when, where or why I would brag but it is impressive.

Thanks to my family and friends for the continued messages, cards and good wishes. It helps a lot!