Picture of all your thoughts, prayers, and love.

Pam wanted me to take this picture earlier today at her parents house (right before she came to our house for the first time since the surgery). She wanted me to upload the picture so you can all see some of the flowers and cards we have received from so many of you (we couldn't fit them all in 1 picture---sorry)......THANK YOU!!!!

I know Pam really appreciates them all and it is a daily reminder of all the great friends we are blessed to have in our lives.

Mid week update!!

Rule # 1, Don't drop the soap in the shower!! You can imagine the humor in that!!

Just an update, that I am feeling better yet. Today is probably the best day so far. I can feel the muscles really pulling hard inside as I know the healing process is underway. I am sleeping better and I feel I am moving around a little faster which is great!

Thanks for the constant support and thoughts and prayers....they are all working!!!! Love you all :)

A week ago today.....

It was just about now that I was under the knife a week ago. The time went fast. I guess because most of last week I was totally out of it. The preop/OR experience was a good one. The doctors and nurses all introduced themselves as they were rolling me in. I could hear one nurse asking Dr. Pasciak if he brought the films from Good Sam, I was thinking, "what....you dont have the films??" But, he said he could pull them up on the screen. I also find it interesting that you meet with and work with people(or nurses) for hours and all you get to see is their eyes. The first thing they did was put in the epidural. I felt drunk as he was doing it. The anesthesia doctor (cant spell ologist) began asking me questions about the marathons, etc.. which I thought was nice. I dont know how he knew I did that stuff. Then, as I looked around at all the overhead machines and zillion utensils, knifes, etc...I thought and verbally announced that I watch too much Grey's anatomy. I do remember also saying, "please save the foley and the NG till I am out!!!" I did not need an NG. Well, before they gave me the final juice...they all began looking over me and I asked for Honeymoon places to dream about....it was agreed before I closed my lids that Italy was the place. I think I asked for donations from each of them :)

Waking up in the recovery area was not pleasant. I dont know if they had me hanging from my left arm from the ceiling or what. That was painful and then everyone looking at me and then when the Dr. came and I was kinda in and out and hearing the word, "cancer"....I started to cry. But, then I heard, that it was early and a partial nephrectomy and I remember saying, "YES!!!". I just wanted to save some part of my kidney if possible. Its been since then that everyone keeps telling me how lucky I am. I understand what means now.

Today is a better day yet. I can sleep the entire time inbetween pain medicines now and no more nausea. I just get dizzy right after I take the medicine and usually lay down till that passes. I think I can take a shower by myself today and also I think I may have some visitors!!! Yeah....Thats the best part. The incision looks ok. Bruised and a steri strip fell off. I occasionally get weird pulls and shooting pains but I know its all part of it and there were 3 layers of muscles to go through....ewe!!!

I hope you are all saving your weekly stories for me. I think I will get to making calls today and over the next couple of days. Anyone watch the Bachelorette last night??? GO ED!!!! I knwo the whole thing is ridiculous...but I love watching it !!!! Drama Drama.....

FIRST DAY AT HOME..SUNDAY

Hello everyone! I have been home almost a full day now. There has been some adjusting but nothing beats your own shower, bed and comfort of being surrounded by your own things. My first shower was amazing, beyond what anyone could ever imagine....I did not want to get out. And in case anyone wants to know, baby oil does work well for adhesive tape. I was going to go with Vinegar next but the oil worked and it smells pretty too. I am pretty much on a tight schedule here of sleep for 3 hours, bathroom, eat, take medicines and then back to bed again. The morning continues to be the hardest but I will beat that this week!!! Still a bit nauseas when getting in and out of bed. My appetite stinks but Ryan helped that by bringing me Mcdonalds ice cream about and hour ago. I think its going to be nothing but movies and mags tonight. Thanks again for your continued support and prayers and thoughts...I feel them!!!!

Saturday Escape...

HI everyone!! Its Saturday...time to ship out!! I was not sure until later this afternoon if I was to go home or not. I had a great nurse who recommended switching to a different pain regime. The urologist and my primary care said it would really be up to me and my pain control if I was to go home today or not. I tried this new pain medication and it made a world of difference. By 1015, I was opening the blinds and washing my dirty face and brushing my teeth. I took a walk in the hall and decided...today must be the day!!!! Not to mention that Bears tickets were going on sale at noon...just kidding, being the hospital didn't stop that....got one game, Dec 13th...of course Bears vs Packers.... Anyway, the nurse just took out my drain and I ordered dinner and my pain meds here in a little bit and then I will be leaving with my entourage of flowers at 645 pm.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU MY BLOG FRIENDS AND FAMILY.....I CANT WAIT TO SEE YOU ALL (WHEN MY HAIR IS WASHED :) AND GIVE YOU EACH HUGS (LIGHT ONES) AND TELL YOU ALL ABOUT WHAT ITS LIKE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BED....NOW I KNOW WHY PEOPLE WRITE BOOKS ABOUT THIS STUFF...DEFINATELY HAD A VISITOR TO MY WINDOW ONE NIGHT...A BLUE AD GREEN BUTTERFLY..... I WONDER WHO THAT WAS :) LOVE YOU ALL, PAMPERS

Friday Finale

This morning was a little bit rough getting started for the day. All the doctors came and decided it would be best to go home on Saturday.

I had my first solid food today and I am slowing down on the IV pain medicines. My heart monitor is coming off in a few minutes.

Tomorrow the drain comes out and hopefully a break free for me!!!!!

Anyone interested in going out in downtown Naperville tonight???? Maybe I can get Ryan to create a diversion and spring me free for a couple hours.

Thanks again for your continued support and prayers. I can't wait to talk to each and every one of you once I am at home. I can't drive for at least 3 weeks so everyone, come on over.

Thursday Evening Update

(Pam's words below)........

It's me. It's finally me.

Who would have thought taking a walk in the hallway would be the biggest accomplishment of the day? Today I feel the reality of this whole thing has finally kicked in and most importantly I see sunnier days ahead.

Things I did today:
*Went to the bathroom by myself for the first time
*Had something other than clear liquids
*Combed my hair
*Got to play with the dog who came for pet therapy. Burton jumped on my bed with me.
*Read some magazines
*Walked in the hall 3 times.

What a busy day!!!!

Oh and not to mention that I had a relaxing dinner. I with chicken broth and Ryan with Boston Market chicken.

Tomorrow is a new day. The drain might come out and the IV's might come off. If that goes well, I might be discharged tomorrow night. If not tomorrow night; then Sat. morning.

Again, each one of you has been on my mind and that has helped me do all the things I have done today.

See you all back here tomorrow.

Buenas noches,