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! 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!
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.
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.
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...
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.
Welcome to my life. I broke my neck at the C-5/6 level in July of 2007 while abroad in Spain. I have since graduated from the University of Michigan and am now engrossed in regaining the ability to walk. Come with me on my journey!
