Thursday Night, 4/29
29/04/10 11:53
Following a big surgery, every day is different. Milestones are achieved constantly during recovery, each one significant for what it represents.
After major abdominal surgery, bowel function shuts down. The gold standard proof that the system is rebooting is the creation of gases in the gut that are, well, seeking a way out. Nature really does abhor a vacuum and, today, after 5 days without food - think about THAT for a moment - Elaine's gastro-intestinal tract started up and began to process again.
After major abdominal surgery, bowel function shuts down. The gold standard proof that the system is rebooting is the creation of gases in the gut that are, well, seeking a way out. Nature really does abhor a vacuum and, today, after 5 days without food - think about THAT for a moment - Elaine's gastro-intestinal tract started up and began to process again.
So she was finally allowed food today: chicken broth, orange jello, tea. The fact that the culinary arts are not Baptist's strong suit was hardly a deterrent; she dug in, ecstatic. Her strength is returning.
But at a more pragmatic level, Elaine's vapors signaled much more welcome news: we're close to taking her home. It means that, as I described yesterday, the fabulous care she's received and her own terrific DNA have brought her to the threshold of being stable enough to recover away from the monitors and the IVs, in our home where she can paint, play a little Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Andrew Lloyd Weber on the piano, and, once again, "correctively supervise" me.
So its likely that tomorrow or Saturday, we'll go home to continue the business of healing. Elaine insists we'll start by washing her hair (which she claims would be a good place to dig for oil at this point).
Then we'll turn our attention to the treatment regimen for the cancer. If we understand correctly, there's real reason for optimism on this, but the challenge will be a marathon, not a sprint.
There is no question that we're both frightened. But we've come through this first test as well as possible. We hope to do as well in the next round.
We are deeply grateful that you have been there for us.
Brian
But at a more pragmatic level, Elaine's vapors signaled much more welcome news: we're close to taking her home. It means that, as I described yesterday, the fabulous care she's received and her own terrific DNA have brought her to the threshold of being stable enough to recover away from the monitors and the IVs, in our home where she can paint, play a little Rachmaninoff, Chopin and Andrew Lloyd Weber on the piano, and, once again, "correctively supervise" me.
So its likely that tomorrow or Saturday, we'll go home to continue the business of healing. Elaine insists we'll start by washing her hair (which she claims would be a good place to dig for oil at this point).
Then we'll turn our attention to the treatment regimen for the cancer. If we understand correctly, there's real reason for optimism on this, but the challenge will be a marathon, not a sprint.
There is no question that we're both frightened. But we've come through this first test as well as possible. We hope to do as well in the next round.
We are deeply grateful that you have been there for us.
Brian