Getting There...

Lots has happened since I last wrote. I interrupted my winter hibernation for a few hours (for the UM Men's Glee Club concert in Rockford - great show!). I have taken many more afternoon naps than I am accustomed to (I typically frown upon naps, but you know, Dr.'s orders, twist my arm...). We have watched many movies (including Wall Street 2, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest, Eat Pray Love (ugh), Harry Potter 1,2, and 3, and the entire miniseries of Pillars of the Earth, which I highly recommend.).  So I guess I've been kind of busy...But the best news is that I am feeling much better compared to last week.

I have started cathing myself through my belly button, which, as you might imagine, is a weird experience, but I've caught on quickly and am pretty adept already. I'm not digging the 3:30am wake-up call to pee, but as my bladder expands, which it will, hopefully that will no longer be necessary.

My discomfort level has gone way down though, thank God, as my guts get resituated and everyone gets their personal space worked out. Everytime I ate or drank, I would break out in my sweat-chill-sweat pattern, which I assume was my stomach pressing on my bladder or vice versa. Either way, that hasn't stopped completely, but is greatly reduced, and I'm no longer sweating through 3 shirts per day.

Videos of the week:

Fascinating.


I feel like this is a movie about my life.

Frustrated...

At this point, I'm officially sick and tired of being sick and tired. There's been good news and bad news since I wrote last. Which do we want first? Let's go good news.

The good news is, per my doctor appointment last Friday, which represented the 2.5 week mark since surgery, everything looks good. My Dr. filled my bladder while simultaneously looking at it under x-ray (an odd experience I would not recommend. An observing nurse commented my new, uber-bladder looks like a lopsided snowman. Gee, thanks.) It filled properly and is significantly larger than before. It will continue to stretch out and enlarge over the next 6 months. Like everything in America, the bigger, the better. She then took out the tube that was in my new stoma, in my belly button, and showed us how to self-catheterize through the new opening there. This also was a weird experience. Basically I push a lubed-up red tube into my belly button and ten or so inches later (is there a 'that's what she said' joke in there somewhere?) and pee starts to come out (Nope). During this whole process, I've tried to maintain the tact that it will be 6 weeks of hell followed by total awesomeness and convenience. And therein lies the bad news.

This hell sucks. If it's not the constant sweating, followed by shivering, followed by more sweating, it's a non-draining bladder and the resultant discomfort, all for reasons unknown and unfixable, besides a little word called patience. Easier said than done, my friend. The healing process is a rollercoaster, peaks and valleys swiftly trading places without rhyme or reason. That's one of my favorite Spanish expressions, 'without rhyme or reason'. Sin ton ni son. This whole flipping process has been severely sin ton ni son.  

This also is sin ton ni son.


I love the reactions.

Feeling Better, Thanks to Night-time Big House Photos

Felt a bit better today. I think I'm improving one percentage point at a time, so this upward swing on the comfort trajectory spectrum will be slow and arduous. Good things come to those who wait blah blah, more vicodin please.

I'm passing the time looking at these.

Gorgeous. Can't wait for the night game in September versus Notre Dame. A little scared about the potential outcome of that game but that's another story.

#6 killed me and the reaction of the guys in #5 is priceless.

Staples Gone!

More staples than Office Max...30 in all.

Feeling pretty good today. We removed the remaining 15 staples this morning and I think I'm more comfortable as a result. It's been a struggle to find an ideal position for draining my new and improved bladder, so I've been alternating between 3 different chairs and the bed every few hours for the past couple days. Let me tell you, that gets old quick. I'm fed up with this 'resting' garbage and ready to get back to my normal routine, but I think it'll be a few more weeks before that is possible. In the meantime, I'm trying to empty out my Tivo backlog, while working on resolutions for the upcoming year. Suggestions?

"When your reality changes, your dreams don't have to."

Great Video

Here's a video to accompany the earlier post regarding Eric LeGrand.

Believe...it's a powerful mantra.

Home Sweet Home!

Great to be home...I've been feeling great today today; going to hit the sack a bit early though. Hopefully I can stay up for the college football championship tonight. Prediction: Auburn 41, Oregon 37.

My doc said I tied the record for shortest stay after this particular surgery, at 6 days. The average is 10 days, which I can't imagine. That would get boring. I'm all about resume boosters, so I was pumped when she told me that.

Maybe we'll be in the championship next year...Not likely.

Going Home Tomorrow...

Going home tomorrow! For once, I will be glad to see Ann Arbor in the rearview mirror. In honor of the conclusion of this visit, here are some C'mon Man's:

- Having to sit in an ugly, uncomfortable, poorly reclining La-Z-Boy recliner for a week? Shoulda bought Nurture recliners, U of M. C'MON MAN!

- Sending in nurses to wake me up and poke me all night? Don't you know I gotta sleep? C'MON MAN!

- Only 45 channels on the TV, 10 of which are hospital channels playing bad music and offering cheesy health tips? How am I gonna watch my Jersey Shore? C'MON MAN!

- It's January 9th, National Signing Day is February 2nd, we are hemorrhaging recruits and Michigan has NO coach? C'MON MAN!

- Everything I am forced to wear, sleep on, and sit on in the chair seems to be made out of a sort of synthetic plastic substance, resulting in a sauna-like effect and much sweating. Much sweating+no showering=awesome hair and enviable B.O. C'MON MAN!

Barring any unforeseen complications, we'll be GR-bound tomorrow afternoon. Thanks for all the prayers and support from afar; can't wait to get home!

Feeling Great Today

Finally got a great night sleep, maybe due to the calming presence of Mackenzie, who slept over, but more likely due to the lack of a certain, poor-English speaking nurse in my face all night, asking, "Mistah Young, you in pain?!" Over and over. Which happened Thursday night. The whole night.

So, the absence of the nighttime, Gulag-style interrogation was a welcome relief. The grogginess of Tuesday and Wednesday is gone and I feel stronger and more alert, interrupted only by the occasional twinge of tightness from my general stomach region.

Had a big lunch (No Thai finally!), and visited with the Payne's, who came down to visit. I've been sitting up in my wheelchair for a while for practice, as I need to be able to survive the ride home in said chair. This was high on the momma's goal list, so you can imagine how much nagging this activity involved. I'm getting closer to being ready for the return to GR, so hopefully I can watch Monday's big bowl game on our big screen instead of the tiny box I have here.

Inspiring Story

Here's a great story about the injured Rutgers football player. He's doing much better, and regaining sensation throughout his body. Pretty cool.

Also, pretty cool: I received another stuffed animal as a gift, this one an orangutan named Orlando. Pictures to come.

Getting cabin fever in the room a little bit, but treasured visitors have brightened my days and helped the time to pass swiftly and happily.

Fascinating video. What a big world, yet also small, we live in.

Great News...

Lost in the shuffle of the medical updates and impending Michigan football DOOM is perhaps the most important news of the week...the discovery of my abnormally large, possibly superhuman appendix. The appendix was used in my surgery to create a pathway between my belly button and my bladder - I will be able to cath through my belly button soon, once this whole healing process inches along. The surgeon was very pleased, as this ginormous, newly useful organ made her job easier in creating the pathway. She said if she couldn't use it she would have removed it anyway, as its girth could have potentially necessitated its removal in the future.

First food in over a week...note my maniacal look as I mouthwater over chicken noodle soup. Frozz-T looks on with jealousy.

   

Sooooo Hungry

My  new friend, Frozz-T, the rapping snowman. (Inspired by a Law&Order SVU marathon last night.)

Finally able to drink clear liquids - never was so happy to have an apple juice. Maybe food by tomorrow? That'd be nice - it's been 7 days since my last solid food. I've been making a list of which Ann Arbor establishments I want to visit - needless to say, it's lengthy and mouthwatering. No Thai, Sadako, Big Ten Burrito, Mr. Spot's, Zingerman's...the list goes on. 

Not many hilarious hospital stories yet; my nurse has a mustache...but is female. Not a good look.  
I've been trying to stay patient with the myriad nurses and techs, which sometimes requires a herculean effort and sometimes is just impossible. But I try...

Wed morning 11:30am

Cam has just had physical therapy; first time Monday morning that he has done his twice daily range of motion stretches. This is good in that it is another step forward. He also has been doing breathing exercises to keep lungs strong (see pic below). The Doctor was in at 6 this morning; is looking for activity in Cam's abdomen; still early. Nurses are in getting Cam cleaned up and pretty.

At first, all the news about RichRod and UM football was interesting, but then went over the top with incorrect news leaks. Still wait and see what happens. Is Harbaugh waiting for the best offer? Come on Michigan Man!!

Here is the breathing exercise while Cam is in the reclining chair

Thanks for your comments and prayers; we appreciate them.

More rest on Tues pm -- 10pm

Cam got a bit of rest today between visits multitude of nurses, doctors, residents, x-ray techicians, members of the Lift Team, local friends, visiting nurses, brother, etc,etc. Cam got to recline in a chair in the room; this required the 'Lift Team' to use the overhead hoist to lift him out of the bed and into the chair; and then later to do the reverse. Cudos to Nurse Sue, who traveled from GR in order to spell Kim and I; she was here to keep Cam safe from 'the system'. Cam is doing fine and right on schedule. The next few days are important in order to get his bowels moving again normally.
We ask for prayers that there are no complications during this week. Thanks for your support; we appreciate it greatly.
Got a few more pics for you

Nurse Sue and patient Cam

Cam and his 2 favorite nurses

Proud Parents

Cam in his recliner

U of M RNs Kate and Dorian helped Cam today

Take care and God Bless!!

the next morning----12:30 pm

Kim stayed with Cam in his prison cell overnight. There were lots of medical people coming and going, so getting any prolonged sleep was out of the question. Things are going as expected, but still early. There are some burps, which means some stirring of the bowels---although Cam burped alot before the surgery.
The staff today is very capable and friendly.
Thank you for your prayers; we appreciate them greatly.

Cam settled into his room at 7:30

Cam got out of recovery and now is resting somewhat comfortably in his room; he is calling it his prison cell room because there is little more than 2 feet of clearance on any side of his bed. He is connected to many tubes; this brings back memories of Spain 3 1/2 years ago; except these nurses speak English thank God!!

Also took some pics during our stay so far.

Here is Cam in pre-op with his favorite nurse

Cam is getting 'ready' for surgery

This is Cam's room;

take a deep breath if you want to fit in

Cam starting to come out of the fog

Cam and Jeff, our first nurse

University of Michigan

'The Leaders and Best'

Thanks again for your prayers.

Cam is out of surgery at 4:20

We just talked with Dr Cameron and she told us that the surgery went very well. Cam is in good health and good condition which helped make his surgery very smooth. Praise God!!
This was a very big surgery involving both the bladder and bowel; we continue to ask for your prayers for complication-free recovery and comfort for Cam over the coming weeks.
We covet your prayers. Thanks for your support. God Bless!!

Status Update

Cam went into Surgery at 10:50 this morning. The surgery is expected to last 7 hours. They give us periodic updates. So far they have told us that everything is going fine. Thanks for your prayers; we appreciate your support.

Waiting Room 7:50am

Doug Young reporting ---Here we are in the waiting room...waiting....Good night sleep...all things considered. All set to go.
 Beautiful sunrise--we know that God is here and present. "i got a feeling....today's goin' be a great, great day" my version of the Black Eyed Peas' song for you hipsters.
May God Bless the doctors and medical team for a great surgery and recovery today.

Surgery on Monday

Well, my 2011 is getting off to a beginning not unlike my beloved Wolverines. Too bad I can’t fire my coach.


I wanted to let everyone know that Monday morning I will be undergoing a bladder operation at U of M hospital. It is an extensive procedure, designed to increase the capacity of my bladder and enable me to self-catheterize through a hole in my belly button (read more here and here). The wonders of science. While the 7 hour surgery, estimated week-long hospital stay and month or two of recovery will not be fun, I think it is a good long term decision that will increase both my independence and my health.

In preparation for Monday, I’m in the middle of a 3 day ‘clear liquids diet’, also known as torture. It is agonizing. I can’t stop daydreaming about double cheeseburgers. I’ve been ingesting orange Gatorade, cherry jello, and chicken broth every few hours, all while trying to avoid every other commercial on tv, advertising the latest Taco Bell smorgasbord. I feel like I’m in a gulag.

I ask for your thoughts and prayers, for a swift recovery and for excellent medical care. Also, pray for the sanity of my parents, they have enough gray hairs already.

Feel free to send emails, messages, letters, baked goods, cash money, and/or singing telegrams. Thank you.


My favorite Youtube videos of 2011 so far:

My new favorite reporter.
 

I want to be in Florida getting a tan on my back too.
 

Don't do drugs. Cool jump though.