good to hear from you, Pete. hoping that is the last time you are at the mercy of the hands of dr futran while he is a good man, you have been thru quite enough.

please go slow and easy on the road to recovery ... men in your age bracket always seem to push it (my brother is about your age and every surgery he has i have to lecture him because he overdoes it and ends up with setbacks because of it ..) so slow down, let others tend to things for you and allow the body to heal

let us know if we may be of assistance ... otherwise we will be here thinking of you and saying a prayer for you.

take care (HUGS)

For some reason, it actually was easier than the last time -- I asked Dr Haakenslash if that is usual and he said it is not -- Kinda like winning a lottery -- Even the ICU wasn't the dim hell it was last time! He doesn't want to see me on his table again either!

Not going home Wed after all because my sister's flight from Back East was canceled for weather -- Maybe Friday -- The real problem is that the hospital sticks their neck out liability-wise if the send a recuperating patient home alone with a trach because something could go wrong fast! Don't know yet how long the trach stays in, but throat is swollen more than last time, so I expect it will be a while.

Have plenty of Nutren 2.0 on hand at home, plus 1.5 cases of VHC!

Misplaced my plastic flies so I didn't have that kind of fun.

Downstairs neighbor is having great fun feeding the rats, esp the yoghurt-covered raisin treats!

You sound upbeat which is so good to hear. Already looking for your flies to get into mischeif!

Sorry to hear your release has been delayed. Its good that the hospital isnt going to just send you home to be on your own. Yes, there is a big ice storm going on here right now.

Hope you feel a little better everyday.

Ice storm Oh my oh my Christine I hope you are ok!!!! Got all supplies needed to last a few days. Those ice storms can be very hazardous but sooooooooooooooo beautiful! I guess I don't have to tell you that!! You are fully aware and I am confident prepared...Keep warm and sit by the fire and enjoy!!!

Sorry that you have to hang out longer at the hospital especially without your flies Pete. I'm certain that the nurses are happy to have you a few days longer (you are probably the highlight of their day) and it is better to be safe. Maybe it seems easier just because you knew what to expect. Take care and rest so that you will be ready to come home.

Patty

I am enjoying myself -- Even talked the Cutthroat Team in the AM into letting me pull the last drain after one of them removed the sutures -- More difficult than I thought, but it was the last one and had been in there for a while -- Then two of them ganged up on me and removed the 40 wire staples... Getting good at cleaning the trach cannula.

I just realized there is a very positive benefit to having PEG installed before the major surgery -- They didn't put in naso-gastric tubes!! I especially don't miss the one with the three sutures through my scepula!

Glad to hear you are doing so well, keep up the great healing!!!

I agree about the PEG Pete. I hated the nasal tubes. Mine worked its way up and halfway out one night and was quite painful. The doctor finally came in about 4 AM and still refused to take it out. The staple removal is fun. I had an intern removing the staples from my leg and everytime I would say ouch he would start apologizing. I got to giggling so hard that I almost cried.

You sound as if you are doing very well. Do they have you sucking on those great little sponges on a stick yet??

Patty

Hated that one too and so did the nurses.
They always had a terrible job getting to stopper off to change bottles and flush it.
Then an x-ray around 5 days post operation showed it was too long and kinked at the bottom of my stomach. Mentioned something about my being out of proportion (first I ever heard of it !!!)
Anyway removed sutures and pulled a couple inches off the length and restitched.
Ouch� but at last the problem was resolved however as it turned out I only needed it for a few more days.
Take Care
Gabriele

Hi there, Pete.

I'm so glad to hear your "voice" on the forum. You sound like you are in relatively good spirits, which is great. I'm sure you are keeping the docs and nurses on their toes and entertained at the same time! Glad to know the PEG is working well for you, and here's to good news from here on out.