2 Month (8 week) update - Back to work for Pinski !

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Ola', Mama!

Holy Crap! Where did the time go? One day I'm on the couch watching "The Price is Right" with ice bags on my face, and before you know it, I'm back at work!
Man, I enjoyed not working, but truthfully I was getting a little bored that last (7th) week.
I am fortunate to have had so much time off, actually.

The feedback I'm getting at work (about my appearance) is very good. The general consensus is, is that I look more rested, a "little bit different", and a little bit younger. Hmmm. I guess that's pretty good, eh'?

My energy level is great. My boss told me that I didn't have to "hit the ground running" when I returned, but there is just so much to do that it's tough to pace myself. It also doesn't help that I'm a little on the hyper side, but so far I'm holding up pretty well. I need to build my stamina a little bit, but I'm doing pretty well and getting A LOT accomplished. They definately saved plenty for me to do so I wouldn't be bored upon my return :-)

As far as the MMA/GA part goes, I think any further recovery is going to be slow.
Now that the Ouch Bars are gone, and the swelling is pretty much gone, it's just going to be a matter of time for my nerve-endings to connect so I can get some feeling back in my mouth.
Right now, most of my top and bottom teeth are still numb, as is the roof of my mouth (my hard pallet) and most of the area around my chin.
All that numbness is still making it quite tough to eat, limiting what I can eat. Dr KL said that I shouldn't push it, because if I try to eat foods that are too hard, it could slow down the healing and even possibly cause a set back. Wouldn't want that, now, would I?
Needless to day, I still get kind of bummed around meal time.

....and one more sTrAnGe thing that's happening is my chapped lips....make that my chapped lip - *singular*. The top one is fine, but the bottom one gets all dry and always needs to be moisturized. I don't understand why that is, but I'm sure it'll get better eventually.

Oh!! ...and I booked a night at the Bay Sleep Clinic here in San Fran for my 3-month follow-up sleep study. I can't wait to know what my numbers are now. I'm bettin' they will be good. Paul thinks so too because he says I sleep quietly (even on my back) and I continue breathing without gasping, snoring or snorting.
....and I really don't feel exhausted any more. Tired? Sure, but at least I'm not falling asleep at the wheel on my way from home from work at 4:30 in the afternoon, like I once did. (uh, ya, I kept that from you for a *reason* ma!)

So, there you have it. I have made more interesting and informative updates, but this is all ya get this time.

much love;
Pinski
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6 Week Update - ...and doing pretty well !

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Hey, Mom!

Things are coming along pretty well. I thought that since the Ouch Bars have been removed, things would really change a lot (especially in the eating department), but they actually haven't all that much.

I suppose it was an unrealistic expectation to think that I could miraculously start eating a lot of food that I couldn't eat before, but I have since learned that it's just going to take time before I can eat like a normal person.
Since our company from Ireland has been here for the past few days, we have been going out to eat a lot, but it took a few meals to realize what I should have already known. When I "bite off more than I can chew" (ar,ar!) I wind up bummed with a really sore jaw, and being that I'm a slow learner, I've done this more times than I care to admit.
Let me just say: I desperately miss double-bacon cheeseburgers, pizza and steak! Oh well, I'll live....

I know I've posted a series of "Before and After Pics", but I thought I'd just put some "Then and Now Pics" right here.

.......THEN..............

..........and NOW.

So, what do you think? Significant? Not? I'm still getting used to the different-looking me. I definately like my profile better (what with a chin now, and my nose it a little "tipped-up"), but from the front, I'm still trying to get used to it. My nose seems wider and I feel like my cheeks are chubbier, making my eyes seem sunken. I *do* like the fact that those deep smile lines on either side of my nose have softened. Some people say I look a little younger. Not as much as I'd like, but beggers can't be choosers!! :-)

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Sleep continues to be great, although I don't think I'm having much luck transitioning in to a "nose breather" as opposed to a "mouth breather", like Dr. KL said I probably would. I still wake up with a very dry mouth most of the time which is just like it used to be.

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Fortunately, I *think* I'm starting to get a little bit more feeling in the left side of my teeth which is enabling me to eat stuff a little bit easier. Still not EASY, but a little easier.

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We have had a great time with Vince and David and I think they've really been enjoying San Francisco and the Bay Area. They'll be heading back to Ireland (via NYC) on Saturday and I will have one more week before returning to work on the 28th. Hopefully, they'll have fond memories of their vacation, and if they forget any part of it, they can refer to the 1,754 pictures they took!! :-) kidding...

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Anyway, that's about it for now.

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Much love:

Pinski

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Week 5(ish). Goodbye Ouch Bars!!

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Hi Mom!

Sorry I'm a little late with my weekly update, but I wanted to wait a few days so I could also include the good news that I got my Ouch Bars taken out today. Yay!

Before...................................After!! Ta-Dah!!

Actually, it was a pretty easy procedure. Other doctors actually consider it an out-patient surgical procedure, but this was done right in his office, using only novicane and it was really not bad at all. I did save a dose of pain meds for this occasion (previously okayed by the doc), so that may have made it even easier.

Daisy was there to help the good doctor and the whole procedure took less than a half an hour. In fact, it was even easier than getting a cavity filled.

Any way, the Ouch Bars are now out of my mouth, and I am allowed to start chewing soft foods, and not just soup, smoothies, yogurt and pulverized food from the Cuisinart. Alla-Louie!! This will be a big boost for my mental health, as I was getting really tired of my dietary limitations.

Before leaving, I asked if everyone in the office would pose for a quick pic for the bloggie, and even though a couple of the ladies deemed it "a bad hair day", I convinced them that it's only going to be in my blog, and not in People magazine....so they reluctantly agreed.

Left to Right: Linda, Daisy, Moi', Juanita and Dr Li. (A fine lookin' bunch, they are!)

So, I was 193 lbs. on surgery day, and now I'm at 178. (down 15#). I'm hoping to only gain about 5 pounds back, so I have a bit of eating to do! I figure 183 lbs. is a good weight for me.

Also, after I return to work on the 28th, I'll definately start going to the gym again, since I've gotten a little"soft".

I talked to my boss the other day, and he let me know that when I come back to work,

I don't necessarily have to "hit the ground running" and can take a little time to re-acclimate. That's a good thing, since I'll have been away for 7 weeks. Wow. Time flies.

Tomorrow, our friends from Ireland (Dave and Vince) will be visiting for the week and staying with us for a few nights, so we will take them to see all the sights (Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, Union Square, Fishermans Warf, Golden Gate Park etc.) and we are even going to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium on a day trip. I've not done a whole lot in the past 5 weeks (other than some semi-long walks, and re-finishing this table:-),

...so it will be a good way to start building my stamina so it won't be so tough getting back to work.

I'm going to hold-off on this weeks "Before and After" pics because I'm really not looking any different from last week, but I will post some next week for sure.

Lastly, my sleeping (the whole reason I've gone through all of this) has been fantastic. I am so rested, have been sleeping quietly. and feel like even though there's been some rough spots, it's been totally worth it.

Well, that's about it for now, so toodles!!

love always;

Pinski

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1 Month Update; Time continues to fly!

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Hey Mom;

Wow !! It's hard to believe that a month ago today, I went under the knife for my MMA/GA operation. In some ways, it seems like it happened months ago, and in other ways it feels like it was only last week. Would I do it again? Yes, I would. This whole experience has come with a lot of challenges, but all in all, I think it has benefitted me a lot.

Of course, I wasn't too crazy about having to go in for "ICU Part Deux", but that couldn't be avoided. I guess that's what makes me "unique".

I won't be able to really know HOW MUCH I've benefitted until I do another sleep study (which won't be for another 2 months), but Paul has said I am sleeping as quiet as a mouse (and this is while sleeping on my back, which is amazing!) , I continue breathing, and no more gasping!
Also, I used to be able to nap in the afternoons (when given the opportunity) quite easily, and now napping is not as easy as it used to be. I think that's because I get a much better and restful sleep at night now and don't need the naps as much.

However, I still have a long way to go. Especially in the "getting the feeling in my mouth and chin back" department.
After the first surgery 4 weeks ago, I was able to feel much of my chin still, most of my pallet (the "roof of my mouth"), and most of my teeth on both sides, but after the 2nd surgery, my chin is tingly but much more numb, my pallet has nearly no feeling yet, the teeth on my left side have nearly no feeling as well, and the teeth on my right side have very little feeling. I'm sure that with time, I will gain more feeling in my chin, pallet and teeth, although I know it will probably take quite a bit more time.

At this point, (as I have mentioned before), I'm really getting tired of the liquid diet I'm on and can't wait to start nibbling on soft foods.
Fortunately, last night Paul and I sat down to our first real dinner at the table in over a month.
On the menu was crab-stuffed salmon, creamed corn, and a nice ripe sliced avocado with italian dressing on it. All with no chewing required. It was really representative of things starting to "get back to normal".

Pain-wise, there's not that much now. Just a lot of "tightness".... as if my teeth and jaw were in a vice. I went ahead and took the pain meds for possibly longer than I needed to. There were a few times when I missed taking the pain meds on time, and it was quite uncomfortable, so that's why I continued with them.

I'm still getting used to my new look. I do like my new profile. I have more of a chin now (yay!), and my nose is "tipped-up" just a litle bit. From the front is a different story. My right cheek is still a little bit swollen on the right side, so becasue of that, my eye loooks a little "sunken" and my nose seems wider than it used to be. Also, the crevices on either side of my nose have lessened and I'm told I look a little bit younger. Hmm.

I stopped by work on my way home from my last Dr KL appointment and those who saw me said they thought "I look different". Not having facial hair probably contributes to the "looking different" as well, but I think the overall change is fairly subtle.

So lastly, I've update the "Before and After Pics" page with more photos, but I don't think you'll notice too much of a signifigant change from last weeks pics. Maybe a little less swelling.

Well, that's about it for now. Thanks for al the e-mails and care packages throughout all of this. It's really helped. Have a great 4th of July!!

much love;

Pinski

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Week 3. Improving Slowly but Surely

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Yo Mama!

How's everything going in your neck of the woods? It was great hearing from you the other day and I'm glad to hear everyone is doing well.
Earlier this week, Pauls mom RoseMarie and Alex came up to S.F. for a long weekend and dropped in to see us. They also went up to Petaluma to see RM's sister Nanette and her family.

While they were here, we went out for a couple of meals, which was a little bittersweet. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE them to bits, but watching them eating hash browns and sausage one day, and caeser salad and fish and chips the next kind of bummed me out a little, since all I could really eat were poached eggs, cream of wheat, part of a mushy pancake and really mashed potatos. (not in the same meal, mind you) Pity party for Pinski!! Actually, at dinner I ate some light extra-flakey fish that required no chewing, so that was quite scrummy.

I know. The day will come when I will finally be able to start eating soft foods. In fact, I'm slated for my Ouch Bar removal on July 11th, so mark your calendar! After that, look out!
Dr KL will remove them in his office while I'm under "twilight sedation", which means for me I'll be out cold and won't remember a damned thing. Can you say "Cheap Date"?
No bother!! I like it like that!!

UPDATE!!: I have been informed that the Ouch Bar removal process is not one utilizing "twilight sedation". I assumed it was, but apparently it's just a matter of getting shot-up with a lot of novicaine. I'm hoping he'll throw in a little nitrus oxide just to make it more fun, but I guess I won't know till it happens.

Well, it's Week 3 and like the subject line says, I'm improving "slowly but surely". I've updated the "Before" and "After" Pics page with Week 3 (Day 21) pics, so make sure to check it out.

BTW, here is a candid shot of MY "Ouch Bars" that Paul took this morning. They are woven with wire around my teeth (not bolted or screwed in to my jaw), so it should be a pretty easy procedure taking them off. I won't miss them. No sirree. Right now, each of those little silver things sticking out (where the rubber bands can attach) are embedded in to my lip, and although there are no sharp edges, they are still rather uncomfortable. I know I could use wax, but it's REALLY not that bad....but with a little more than 2 weeks before their removal, it wouldn't surprise me if I eventually break out the wax.

Attractive, aren't they?? As you can see on the right, there are rubber bands from the top to the bottom. They are only on the right because we are at the stage of "fine tuning" my bite before the Ouch Bars come off. Dr KL said that he will be removing the rubber bands all together on Monday, which is great because it's not really the Ouch Bars themselves that cause the Ouch. It's really the pressure from the rubber bands. My bite feels pretty good, but honestly, it's still so hard to tell because of all the numbness that I still have.
I really can't feel any of my teeth on the left side. The right side is better but not 100%. Also, my chin (from the Genioglossus) is still numb but it starting to get tingly, so that indicates that the feeling is slowly returning. Unfortunately, shaving is a huge pain in the *ss. Shaving my chin is especially difficult and weird. Almost like it's not actually MY chin that I'm shaving.

The nasal infection that I reported last week is getting better by the day, but still not completely gone. Still taking the antibiotics for that for a few more days. Eeeuu. That whole thing was uber-gross.

Also, the popping in my ears is still happening. Dr KL said this will eventually subside, but for now, it's still kind of strange and a bit annoying.

Pain-wise, I've reached a point where I'm starting to lessen the dosage of my pain meds. Sometimes I'm okay, and other times...not so much. I'm going to have to ask Dr. KL his opinion on how to wein myself down from my pain meds "gracefully". Unfortunately, I'm almost out of meds, so I'll have to see weather one last prescription is in order or if it's time to just suck-it-up and bite the bullet with stuff like Tylenol etc...

On the food front, I have not been eating much soup becasue I'm sick of it. Almost in all forms (except for maybe the ones with bacon in it:-). I have blended the chunky style soups, noodle soups and any other kind of soup you can imagine. Now, I'm just primarily drinking the protein shakes with any kind of fruits I can think of. Yesterday, I broke out the Mini Cuisinart and pulverized some delicious chicken chow mein, (and removing some of the vegetables that didn't get pulverized enough). With a little soy sauce, it was really really good. (both taste-wise as well as for my mental health!) I am still not supposed to chew anything (and I'm not) but just by putting the mushy stuff in my mouth and leaving it there for a few seconds before swallowing it, was still really nice.

Lastly, I think Paul is doing better. I was a little worried about him - especially after what I refer to as "The Stanford Bleed-Out" incident, but I think things are getting back to normal, and I don't think he's permanently traumatized over that now. Poor Boopie. Who'd have thought that in only 6 years, he'd have to go through, 2 elbow scoping operations, 1 hospitalization for a bowel obstruction, and 2 (MMA/GA-related) surgeries. I'm glad he hasn't ran for the hills. Apparently he still likes me enough to stick around, so I consider myself very, very lucky.

So, I think I'll close for now. Not the most clever letter I've written, but I just wanted to keep you updated on what's been going on.

All my love;
Pinski
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Wowzers! 2 weeks fly by when you're having fun!!

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Hi Mom;

I can hardly believe it's been 2 weeks since my MMA/GA surgery. I've decided that other surgery at day 7 or whatever doesn't count as anything but a followup procedure (reserved for only me;-)

It's a little tough being able to tell how I'm feeling "in general". Right now, it pretty much depends on what time of the day you ask me. At times, I feel like a million bucks and seem like everything is right on track. At other times, I feel kind of crappy. I really wish I were feeling fantastic all the time, but realistically, the crappy times eventually pass and I'm back to feeling good again.

In general, (like many other people at the same point of their recovery) I feel like my mouth is in a vice, under a great amount of pressure.
My pallet is still quite numb and it feels like I'm wearing my orthodontic retainer all the time.
Luckily, I was given these neat little stiff-spongy things (they look like a lollypop from a distance) and by trimming them down, I am able to clean a good amount of my teeth and tongue. I still can't feel many of my teeth either, but just knowing I've cleansed them and rinsed them as good as I can for now, makes me vewy-vewy happy.

After Monday's followup appointment at Dr. KL's, I seemed to be doing pretty well, but by the end of the day, both of my sinuses were not clearing out very well. I had also been experiencing really bad (but infrequent) headaches, and an occasional bout of reflux. Not fun. He let me know that the oxycodone he prescribed didn't have Tylenol in it, so to buy some of the liquid kind when my head started to hurt. I also asked him about pain management. Seems the oxycodone works pretty well most of the time, but since I take 2 tsp. every 4 hours, there are times when halfway in to hour 3 that the pain starts to return. Dr KL suggested I take 1 tsp. every 2 hours, in order to keep a steadier stream of meds.

Later that day (towards the evening), I could tell there was something "not quite right" with my sinuses, not only because they weren't clearing out easily like they did before, but they seemed to be emitting a rather unpleasant smell as well. I also started having a tough time swallowing.

Realizing that my sinuses have been through a lot, (the left one having a breathing tube put in it for each of the surgeries, and the right one being "slightly deviated" and repaired during the first surgery), I thought about the possibility of a nasal infection. Especially because of that new and quite unpleasant smell. Also, the contents of both sinuses were now the same and also new. I won't describe it, other than to say....kinda brown, flemmy and smelly. Dr KL is out of town, but told me to call him if anything came up. I sent him an e-mail that said "NON-EMERGENCY question" in the subject line, and proceeded to describe my newest issue.

He called about an hour or 2 later, and told me that I should have called him, but I told him that I wasn't sure if this issue was really THAT critical, and that I decided I could wait as long as it was going to take. He understood and then asked me for my pharmacy's number, to prescribe some anti-biotics. Apparently my description led him to think I indeed do have a sinus/nasal infection.

I got that filled today and started taking it. I hope it starts working. I also have a 99.7 temperature. Not high enough to be alarmed about, but definately worth keeping an eye on.

So, I guess I'm just in a holding pattern, trying to behave myself by not overdoing anything, and just trying to take as good of care of myself as I can.

I updated the Before" and "After" Pics for you to check out too. Now that I look at the Day 7 pics, I think there is more swelling in my right cheek today. My guess is that he has something to do with that nasal/sinus infection. Paul thinks the swelling in my cheek has actually gone down a little bit in the last 4 days. At first I looked like I had a half-of-a-tennis ball stuck in my cheek, but today it only looks like 1/3.

So, there you have it! I hope you and dad had a good weekend, and it was a Happy Fathers Day for him. He's the best, isn't he?

love to everyone:
Pinski

ICU Part Deux: (An addendum that doesn't *really* count)

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Dear Mama;

Sorry I've been out of touch "blog-wise" for the past few days, but that's what happens when they throw you back in to the hospital again. d-OH!!

DISCLAIMER:

First, I have to say (and I'll explain why a little later), this doesn't happen to everyone. In fact, I'm not sure it's happened to anyone, but unfortunately it did happen to me.

That's why I'm titling this with the key word ADDENDUM in it, because it's like a sidenote. I really doubt that anybody who has an MMA/GA procedure would have to anticipate something like this happening to them. ...and by the way. Dr. KL said this is the first time (in all the hundreds of surgeries he's done) that he's seen something like this too.

Secondly: This blog is gonna be gross. No way around it, because that's how it was. ...but I know you're tough, mom!! (Although I must admit, I'm glad you weren't here for this one)

Lastly: For as bad as this may seem, other than feeling robbed of 3 days of my exceedingly- exciting life, I feel like the whole experience looked worse than it really was.

So, a brief recap: Remember how on day 6, I started to bleed profusely on and off for no apparent reason?

<from a couple of blogs ago>
So, then he said that if I start bleeding like that again, he will want to admit me to the hospital and go in to see why it's happening, because he hasn't seen that happen before. So, I've decided that I dont want to go back to the hospital, so I am on EXTREME "I'M NOT GOING BACK TO THE HOSPITAL" ALERT. Meaning. I'm not going to much of anything for now. Well, at least I'm really going to try.

Well, so much for that plan.

All was well on Wednesday. Things were looking good. Practically sunshine, lollypops and rainbows. I was taking it REALLY easy, and around 9 p.m. we were just about ready to finish watching this really bad movie when I realized it was time for my pain meds. So, I walked to the kitchen, poured them in to the little cup, tilted my head back and BAM!! Gushing blood again!!!

I kind of wimpered (I actually felt like crying becasue I knew what was in store) and yelled for Paul to come in and to get me some ice (since we'd been through this before) and it didn't take all that long to get things under control.

At first, I didn't want to call Dr KL on his cell and tell him about it, (thinking it was just another one-time fluke), but since it was actually the third time it had happened, I decided I would be a total dumb-ass not to call him.

He answered immediately, I told him what had just happened, and told us he'd call us back, but to get ready to come back to Stanford. Within minutes, he called back and told us where to meet him. (On the same non-ICU ward where I had stayed previously). He would set me up with a room for the night and go in and see what was up the next morning.

So, we got there, and Dr KL was (of course) already there. They got my room squared away, and he said he'd be back bright and early. I went in to the restroom to pee, and as soon as I tilted my head down, BAM AGAIN!! Again, I yelled for Paul to go catch Dr KL and asked the nurses to get me ice and a bucket. Unfortunately, this time I couldn't get the bleeding to stop. I don't know if it was because when I ice with pressure, I have to switch off arms, and this time they weren't letting me do that becasue they had put the blood pressure cuff around my left arm or why that was.

Dr. KL was back by then and was looking all around trying to see where all the blood was coming from, but he couldn't pinpoint it just by looking. I was trying not to choke because it was coagulating too quickly before I could spit it out, and it was sticking to the rubber bands that were attached to my "ouch bars".

I eventually got the bleeding to stop. ....and then it started again. And that happened several times, again and again. Then, it just didn't stop. By that time Dr KL was on the phone to Dr B the anesthesiologist to ask him to come in then, and Paul was on the sidelines, very quite and as white as a ghost. I told him to split, knowing what he'd been through the past couple of days, assuring him I was in the best of hands, and he did take my advice.

There were a lot of nurses trying to take off my clothes and get me in a gown, while I'm holding this bucket full of blood, spitting out coagulated glob upon coagulate glob. It was really pretty disgusting.

FINALLY, they got me on the rolling bed, and wheeled me up for emergency surgery.

Unfortunately, because of how "last moment" all of this was, the emergency room team was asking about all kinds of paperwork, (even a doc that I needed to sign) and it was a little bit chaotic. They seemed ready for me, but not "officially" ready until all the "I"'s were dotted and the "T"'s were crossed.

...but can I just say this: Dr KL is probably the most caring and incredible doctor I have ever had to privledge to meet. I am certain that there is absolutely no better doctor I could have had, and no way all of this could have happened in such a timely and professional manner, had it not been for his do-diligence. He kept his cool, got done what needed to be done and after a rather awkard (probably 30 minutes) of just waiting for everything to happen, finally wheeled me in for the surgery. 3 cheers for Dr Kasey Li!

Hip-hip Hooray! Hip-hip-Hooray! Hip-Hip- Hooray!!

One thing I forgot to mention to the doctor (and I'm sure you will remember this, mom) because I really didn't make a connection until then, and that was: Remember back in 93' when I had my (out-patient) UPPP surgery and you came out here to help take care of me? The surgery went well, but after 5 hours back at home, I still couldn't stop spitting up blood?......and the doctor made us drive (actually, I drove on liquid Vicadin and you held the spit-bag and tried not to fall apart) to Burlingame to re-operate on me?....and that doctor had mentioned that never in all the surgeries had he previously done, had this ever happened before? Sound familiar?

Anyway.......

Crap. So, I wake up yet again in the ICU. I felt okay. Turns out, that Dr. KL didn't really find any specific place from which I was bleeding profusely, so he went in and cauterized as much as he could. Just on the top, since that's where all the bleeding was coming from.

Later that morning, he told me that he'd decided we'd better have hematologists check me out to see if there's something wrong with me in the blood clotting (or in this case blood not-clotting) department.

That morning, I was given 2 units of blood. Did I mention I bled alot? Oh, right. I think I did.

The ICU is a nice place. I like the peeps there. My first ICU nurse Jason was a really nice guy and a really good caregiver. This time, the nurse I had for the longest aount of time was Kim B. Great nurse as well, and such a happy disposition. She said I cracked her up, especially when each hematologist came in and started asking me the same questions over and over. Hello!! Compare notes people! I'm surprised anybody could even understand me at all because my voice sounded really bad. Actually it still does, so I'm not saying much today. They also drew blood in order to test it.

Oh, and get this: I have no idea how, or when or where it happened, but when I woke in the ICU, the top of my left foot hurt. ?? HUH?? Like it had a cramp in it or something. Well, throughout the course of the next 2 days, it's gotten a lot worse. Swelling. Pain spreading. Gawd!! It hurts WAY more than my stupid jaw at this point! ... and nobody knows why! What a hoot!

...but IMO, it's kind of cool, because it shifts the focus from my jaw, elsewhere.
What a sight! I'm hobbling around like a gimp, and my voice is as raspy as Tom Waitts!

Unfortunately, I can tell a lot of differences with my mouth and jaw between after the first and after the second surgery.
Now, my top teeth are even more numb than they were, my pallet (a.k.a "the roof of my mouth") has a lot less feeling and my ears are really popping a lot. Oh well. It's still not all that terrible.

Finally, after almost a full 24 hours of the ICU, I was moved back to the C2 Unit at about 1 a.m. to the very same room I had the first time, but this time I had the bed by the window. It was nice seeing all the familiar faces. I almost felt like Norm from Cheers. (well, not really, but you know....) .

Then, that morning was Friday the 13th. Go figure.... Dr KL had been in and out so many times to check on me that by that time, I had lost track. He had come in early that morning and said that I was doing well, and if Hematology agreed, he'd like to let me go home later that day. Unfortunately, he hadn't heard a squeak out of the Hematology people, so we needed to wait until they gave the okay. Paul was there and our hopes were up that I would be going home, but The Hema-peeps never contacted him...or me...or anybody. Finally Dr KL paged them and contacted them on the (I think) 4th page. (Glad THEY weren't my surgeon!!)
It turns out that even though I had some irregular "levels" in my bloodwork, they didn't want to prescribe anything for me, but wanted me to stay another night just to make sure it wasn't going to happen again. GAWWWW!! So close.

Oh! ONE good thing about that Friday the 13th! I did have my first poo!

...but I digress. Anyway, Paul headed home and I settled in (with icebags on my foot) for another night in the big house.

......and today, they finally let me out!! Yay!!
This is Nurse Laura, removing my last I.V.

So, we're home now. I'm relaxing, sipping on pureed bean with bacon soup and thought I'd drop you this little (HA!) note.

Also, it looks like I've lost about 15 pounds all-tolled. In my humble opinion, I had 10 too many to start with, so I'm *feeling* like I'm only 5 pounds down. I'll try to make it back up, and I'm sure I eventually will.

Don't worry mama. I'm fine, and Paulie (as usual) is taking good care of me. Bless his little thumper.

much love;
xoxoxo
Pinski