Mom would like you all to....................
Former Moderator
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,449
Likes: 0
From: Between Hell/Ann Arbor
Tears in my eyes but yes I am home glad to read about everyone's support. It's been really hard to believe that all of this did occur over the span of a long weekend. But I was called and scheduled to go to the hospital at 7:30 on Thursday 29 Apr, went into actual surgery at approximately 2:15 am Friday 30 Apr and was out of surgery by 6:00 am Friday 30 Apr. They took out the resperation tubes at about noon. I grins and giggles with my wife Colleen and son Rory and Livia (his girlfriend). Rory has pictures of me through as much as he could shoot with his digital camera. Even a short movie. When I get with him probably some time tomorrow we will try and make a post of it. I will have it linked from to other forums on s2ki if I can figure it out.
Saturday 1 May
Called Colleen and woke her up a 6:00 am singing "Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary!" We only live a ten minute drive from the hospital so she was able to go home and sleep and take care of the dog and cat.
Colleen and I had our 25th wedding anniversary. We got the greatest gift anyone could give, from a young donor.
I got the rest of the damn tubes out of me.
Got out of bed on my own later this day.
Sunday 2 May
Got to lay around a bit but the hardcore in me wanted to get up and out. Listened to a lot of the radio WEMU if you are interested there is a link in my signature that's live.
Got to take a towel bath today also boy did that feel good, no I didn't have to have a nurse do it although several would have gladly done it.
Colleen and her Parents came early about 9 am.
Rory and Livia were in again, along with Colleen everyone wanted to see STARR but she's a bit unruly and a handful. I had pictures of her on the wall in my hospital room.
Monday 3 May
Doctors make rounds again they are all grins and giggles because everything went so well. Had very few questions for them. Talked to a young woman doctor from Urology about......Well I'll just let you figure some stuff out on your own. But suffice it to say EVERYTHING is working well. Spontaneousley!! Some possible embarassing moments but who cares.
Got my first non family vistors as well today Couple of Rory's friends who are just about like family anyway and a couple Colleen and I have known for a while and go to dinners with, they brought me flowers and card. Rory and Livia also gave me flowers and card
WEMU sent me a beautiful Flower Bouquet made of Parrot Tulips, and Orange Roses.
Tuesday 4 May,
Doctors make their rounds still grins and giggles, they had to wait for me to get out of the bathroom, this time. They then told no way to keep me in here and that I would be discharged this afternoon. Around 10 am finally met the Surgeon that did the work on me. Didn't think I would actually get to see him before I got out of there. We agreed that the Stars, the sun, planets, whatever, everything was in alignment for this. The Big Guy was smiling. Something has to come of this.
Colleen shows up and I tell her that I am being discharged just have to finish up some crap. Met with the PT therapist and walked to her office and back about 600 yards climbed steps and got into and out of a car body. She was amazed at my progress and the speed I was walking. Everybody concerned with my care I kept hearing them all say that.
Finally about 3 we get to the car.....Had to take the wheelchariot ride though. Got home and in the door about 4 damned shift change traffic from the hospital and detours around the highest traffic area in Ann Arbor. I was able to sit down at the computer then. Met my dog again, but have to be really subdued with her around, she is really a good dog and knows that something is not quite right with me right now. She has grown a good bit in the 5 days I was in the hospital.
Wednesday 5 May
Woke up this morning in my own bed, not as easy to get out as the hospital bed, higher and no rails to grab onto.
Had to take pain meds last night though they finally wore off by 7ish this morning.
Watched the local news and had breakfast of real eggs not the pour from a carton yolkless things that they call eggs in the hospital. Also real English muffin. About 11:00am went outside for a short walk down the dirt road in my neighborhood, got back in time for lunch and a nap. Oh yeah on top of all of this I am taking about 40 pills a day also split between 8/9 am and then again at 8/9 pm. Some of this to last the rest of my lifetime.
Once again Thank You all for your support.
Al
Saturday 1 May
Called Colleen and woke her up a 6:00 am singing "Happy Anniversary, Happy Anniversary!" We only live a ten minute drive from the hospital so she was able to go home and sleep and take care of the dog and cat.
Colleen and I had our 25th wedding anniversary. We got the greatest gift anyone could give, from a young donor.
I got the rest of the damn tubes out of me.
Got out of bed on my own later this day.
Sunday 2 May
Got to lay around a bit but the hardcore in me wanted to get up and out. Listened to a lot of the radio WEMU if you are interested there is a link in my signature that's live.
Got to take a towel bath today also boy did that feel good, no I didn't have to have a nurse do it although several would have gladly done it.
Colleen and her Parents came early about 9 am.
Rory and Livia were in again, along with Colleen everyone wanted to see STARR but she's a bit unruly and a handful. I had pictures of her on the wall in my hospital room.
Monday 3 May
Doctors make rounds again they are all grins and giggles because everything went so well. Had very few questions for them. Talked to a young woman doctor from Urology about......Well I'll just let you figure some stuff out on your own. But suffice it to say EVERYTHING is working well. Spontaneousley!! Some possible embarassing moments but who cares.
Got my first non family vistors as well today Couple of Rory's friends who are just about like family anyway and a couple Colleen and I have known for a while and go to dinners with, they brought me flowers and card. Rory and Livia also gave me flowers and card
WEMU sent me a beautiful Flower Bouquet made of Parrot Tulips, and Orange Roses.
Tuesday 4 May,
Doctors make their rounds still grins and giggles, they had to wait for me to get out of the bathroom, this time. They then told no way to keep me in here and that I would be discharged this afternoon. Around 10 am finally met the Surgeon that did the work on me. Didn't think I would actually get to see him before I got out of there. We agreed that the Stars, the sun, planets, whatever, everything was in alignment for this. The Big Guy was smiling. Something has to come of this.
Colleen shows up and I tell her that I am being discharged just have to finish up some crap. Met with the PT therapist and walked to her office and back about 600 yards climbed steps and got into and out of a car body. She was amazed at my progress and the speed I was walking. Everybody concerned with my care I kept hearing them all say that.
Finally about 3 we get to the car.....Had to take the wheelchariot ride though. Got home and in the door about 4 damned shift change traffic from the hospital and detours around the highest traffic area in Ann Arbor. I was able to sit down at the computer then. Met my dog again, but have to be really subdued with her around, she is really a good dog and knows that something is not quite right with me right now. She has grown a good bit in the 5 days I was in the hospital.
Wednesday 5 May
Woke up this morning in my own bed, not as easy to get out as the hospital bed, higher and no rails to grab onto.
Had to take pain meds last night though they finally wore off by 7ish this morning.
Watched the local news and had breakfast of real eggs not the pour from a carton yolkless things that they call eggs in the hospital. Also real English muffin. About 11:00am went outside for a short walk down the dirt road in my neighborhood, got back in time for lunch and a nap. Oh yeah on top of all of this I am taking about 40 pills a day also split between 8/9 am and then again at 8/9 pm. Some of this to last the rest of my lifetime.
Once again Thank You all for your support.
Al
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 59,377
Likes: 1,618
From: La Crescenta, CA
This is just so 
ing wonderful for you, Al. I'm so very happy for you. You are an inspiration for all of us. Good luck and Godspeed from here forward. Best po your fanily. congratulations to all of you! No rejection issues?
George
ing wonderful for you, Al. I'm so very happy for you. You are an inspiration for all of us. Good luck and Godspeed from here forward. Best po your fanily. congratulations to all of you! No rejection issues?George
Former Moderator
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,449
Likes: 0
From: Between Hell/Ann Arbor
Thanks all for your continuing support.
Everything is fine for now I have a Clinic appt in the morning. Have to have blood drawn before my morning meds, then they reset the amounts of drugs. 39 pills a day right now, but that's because they have me on pills from 1 to 5 ml that come in bigger forms but have me taking 12 1 ml pills instead of a 10 and 2 or16 5 ml instead of 4 20ml pills. But dosages will drop as time progresses, fewer pills a day.
Did my walk again today only with my son, Colleen got to get away from me for half a day. (she needed it) I cared for her when she had her last surgery doing feeding tubes and drains as well as her wound care. It's really tough when you can't get any time to yourself, for a long time because you have to be there for the one you love all the time. This is going to be a true test of love for her, I am impatient and don't like being doted on all the time. I can't do everything for myself that I want to just yet. That just makes me madder (some of this is also effects of the drugs). Oh well one more day gone by.
Al
Everything is fine for now I have a Clinic appt in the morning. Have to have blood drawn before my morning meds, then they reset the amounts of drugs. 39 pills a day right now, but that's because they have me on pills from 1 to 5 ml that come in bigger forms but have me taking 12 1 ml pills instead of a 10 and 2 or16 5 ml instead of 4 20ml pills. But dosages will drop as time progresses, fewer pills a day.
Did my walk again today only with my son, Colleen got to get away from me for half a day. (she needed it) I cared for her when she had her last surgery doing feeding tubes and drains as well as her wound care. It's really tough when you can't get any time to yourself, for a long time because you have to be there for the one you love all the time. This is going to be a true test of love for her, I am impatient and don't like being doted on all the time. I can't do everything for myself that I want to just yet. That just makes me madder (some of this is also effects of the drugs). Oh well one more day gone by.
Al
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 88,444
Likes: 21
From: Pt. A to Pt. B via VTEC!!
One day at a time Al 
your story is very inspiring. Thank you for keeping us up to date.
Here is a little something for you.
I went down to the mountain, I was drinking some wine,
Looked up in the heavens lord I saw a mighty sign,
Writt
your story is very inspiring. Thank you for keeping us up to date.Here is a little something for you.
I went down to the mountain, I was drinking some wine,
Looked up in the heavens lord I saw a mighty sign,
Writt
