On the Way to health

Sunday, Oct. 12, 2008 -- My surgery last Monday (Oct. 6) went off without any serious hitches. I actually was up and walking that afternoon. I got to go home Wednesday afternoon and spent the rest of the week taking short walks, long naps and drinking protein supplements. But here is the best news of all:
My blood glucose readings are way, way low. Dr. Bour sent me home without one of the diabetes drugs (metformin) because my readings had been so good in the hospital. Since coming home they have ranged from 89 to 113. Before, while taking 1,500 MG of metformin a day, it was a great day when I had a reading as low as 113. The average for all samples I took before surgery was 118 with medication. My fasting readings were always above 110. So it appears to me the main reason for the surgery -- diabetes -- will be met. I will continue to monitor the glucose readings closely and remain on Actos until advised otherwise by Dr. Bour. I am still on blood pressure medication with readings around 115/60 but as the weight drops the need for blood pressure medication may drop as well.
Speaking of weight: the scale tells me this morning I have lost 17 pounds since the day before I went into the hospital. That is 17 pounds in the first week. Of course, I have had very little to eat other than protein supplements but this is a good start. My only complication is one I experienced after throat surgery in 2006 -- urine retention. I left the hospital with a catheter and will see my urologist tomorrow. It took a couple of weeks for my bladder to wake up and work on its own last time. I pray this one will be shorter. No pain, just an inconvenience.
The hardest part of that first day was probably the dry mouth. Nothing to drink -- not even ice chips -- until the following morning to make sure there was no stomach acid churned up that might cause damage. About 9 Tuesday morning I was rolled down to X-ray for a gulp of a barium solution so Dr. Bour could be sure there were no leaks. Thankfully, there were none. Back in the room I got my first ice chips, soaked in blue food coloring so that if any leaks out the drain they put in my left side it will show up clearly. No leaks there, either.
I am very impressed with the staff at Hillcrest Memorial Hospital. They went out of their way to make certain I was as comfortable as possible and that my wife and daughter had all the support they needed. I had at least one, and sometimes two, RNs taking care of me. They treated me like the only patient in the hospital.
I spent Tuesday walking the corridors of the hospital and punching my pain medication pump. It flowed enough to keep me happy. Since returning home I have been walking regularly. First, it was just the length of the driveway, about 150 feet. Now it is down the driveway and halfway up the hill. Next: the top of the hill. Tueday I go back to Greenville for my first post-op support group meeting and Thursday meet with the nutritionist and the doctor.
This would have been impossible without great support from my family. My daughter Cathy flew in for the surgery and early post-op. Son Tim relieved her when I got home so he could spell Sylvia of some of the chores. I had daily calls and messages from my other two sons, our grandkids and friends.
Wednesday brought a huge surprise. My friend Kevin Hall drove up from Miami to visit me in the hospital and then spent a several hours watching me doze off in my favorite chair at home. What a thoughtful thing to do.
Art Heise, another old friend, brought Kevin to the hospital and gave great support to Sylvia. Art and I have a regular appointment for lunch every Wednesday at a spot in Hendersonville that has Harp beer on sale on that day. Art and Kevin drank a pint or two in my honor Wednesday and Jessica, who manages the place, sent them off with a gift for me: A shot glass labeled "Harp", a child's menu and a T-shirt.