Linda is home

Good news. The doctor released Linda and she's home. She's still a bit shaky but happy to be home. After so many medical complications and setbacks, we're both holding our breath. She still has a tube in her stomach that will be removed on Monday.

Your inspiritual prayers have a lot to do with this -- please keep the prayers coming.

Tuesday night

The surgeon said Linda is doing great. He said the surgery was easier than he anticipated and the recovery should be straightforward.

Linda is up and walking around, feeling energetic and animated. Still has pain but it's manageable.

Long road ahead, keep your good prayers coming.

Tuesday 8:30am

Linda had a relatively good first night. She's still in some pain and a bit nauseous but it's getting better and she got a little sleep. She's out of bed into the chair and had some liquids.

My son Tommy gave me a two-hour break last night. I got three hours sleep, in the van. Damm cold, empathy for the homeless. What a comfortable cocoon we live in, and take for granted. Get out of our comfort zone and get a sense of what others live everyday. There but for the grace of God go I.

Linda's out of recovery --- in pain but resting

It's 10:30 pm and Linda is resting. She's in pain and nauseous, but seems little by little getting better. Your comments much appreciated. Long day, going to be a long night. I'm lucky and blessed to be by Linda's side -- she is lucky and blessed with a great family and great friends.

Operation went well

The doctor just visited me in the waiting room. He said everything went very well, as planned with no complications. He said there was virtually no scar tissue, a good thing. He removed the catheter, also a good thing.

In a few more hours Linda will get out of recovery and I can visit her. I am camped out in the waiting room, seems like a second home.

Linda is now being operated upon -- Monday 1pm

Linda went into the operating room around 1:15. The surgeon said the operation should be straight forward and he thought it would take a bit more than an hour.  The nurses seem on top of things and very professional. Fingers crossed and prayers welcome.

Wednesday night – – June 1

Linda's x-rays came back and showed that the colon blockage has resolved. She is feeling much better, getting exercise, and eating properly. The doctor came by and told her she could go home in the morning. We are very thankful and grateful.

Linda has been staying in a cancer ward and the hard luck stories you hear put things in perspective. We are very blessed indeed.

Prayers still need needed.

Keep the comments coming.

Commenting on the blog

Linda would really enjoy seeing your comments. Anybody reading this blog can add comments to any of the posts. Just click on the yellow 'comments' at the bottom of any of the messages and you can add your get-well wishes and thoughts there. When you finish typing hit 'publish'.

It would really pick Linda up to see your comments.

Tuesday, May 31 evening

Linda is doing much better. The doctors gave her medicine to stop the regurgitation and also medicine for the nausea. She looks better, feels better, and hopefully is getting better.

The doctors said that she was dangerously dehydrated from not taking in enough fluids. Once she was hydrated with an IV and got the nausea under control she was then able to eat. She said her breakfast this morning, a hospital breakfast at that, was like a banquet.

It was great to see her feeling better and her spirits being up. The doctors want her in the hospital a few more days to be sure this time that she's ready to go home.

Prayers still needed.

Tuesday May 31, morning

While in the emergency room we met with two doctors. They both had the same opinion. They think the issue is only a temporary malfunctioning of Linda's upper colon. He said it's not unusual that the colon takes a while to function properly after being traumatized by surgery. Both doctors said the issue should resolve by itself without any invasive procedures.

The doctors also said that Linda was dehydrated. She's feeling better now since they gave her an IV with saline and nutrients.

Linda is now out of the emergency room and has a regular bed in the hospital.The doctor that did the surgery is going to visit her today.

Keep your prayers coming.

Monday at noon

Linda's had a rough couple of days so we're back in the emergency room. She couldn't eat anything and was very dizzy when she stood up. We contacted the surgeons office and his associate is going to see Linda in the emergency room.

More later.

Keep the prayers coming.

Friday afternoon

Good news – – we are waiting to have Linda discharged from the hospital. She is certainly still shaky and wobbly, but we're really excited to get her home. Long way to go to full recovery.

Keep the prayers coming.

Friday morning

Linda had a better night last night and is feeling much better this morning. The doctor usually comes around in late afternoon – – we are hoping she will be released today.

All of this makes you realize just how fragile and tenuous life is.

Keep the prayers coming.

Thursday night

It's been a rough day. linda is taking strong antinausea medication and has been sleeping for most of the day. The doctor thinks this is in the course of a normal recovery process.

Keep your prayers coming.

Thursday morning

Linda had a difficult night. The nausea has come back. Her nurse does not speak English – – another layer of difficulty. Probably won't come home tonight.

Wednesday dinner time

Linda is much improved. She took a short walk, the pain is manageable, and the nausea is gone. The surgeon thinks things are going well -- there's a chance of going home tomorrow.

Wednesday morning

Linda got fits in bits of sleep last night. She has moderate pain and is taking antinausea medication. The nurses moved her from the bed to a recliner chair. She is trying not to be depressed with having a bag and the prospect of another operation.

Update 7 PM

Is 7 PM at the hospital and Linda is in her room. She had trouble with nausea but seems to be doing better now. She has a private room with a full-time nurse in a new wing in the hospital.

Keep the prayers coming.

Linda just got out of a 3hr surgery. The surgeon told me the operation was a success and 12 inches of colon was removed. The good sections of colon were reconnected.

However, there was a lot of infection and inflammation so the doctor had to attach a temporary bag connected to Linda's colon. She will have the bag for 12 weeks before it will be removed.

She is now in the recovery room. In about an hour she will be in a regular room where Tommy and I will be able to see her.

Keep your prayers coming.

A blog to keep everyone informed on Linda's recovery progress

This is a blog to report on Linda's recovery. I will periodically post updates for everybody to read.

Keep Linda in your prayers.
Tom