Home???

After 7 weeks in Houston, it looks as though I may be heading home on Friday.  Damn.  It almost seems too good to be true.  We're meeting with the oncologist here on Thursday (Dr. Ajani) to discuss my chemo/radiation therapy strategies and then we're flying back on Friday.  I cannot wait to see my children.  After 7 weeks, I'm sure they've really changed.  I can tell on the phone that they have...especially little Ella.  Her vocabulary has expanded exponentially.  Man...I love my kids.

I'm supposed to be the grand marshall in the Marble Festival parade this Saturday and it looks like I'll be home in time to do it.  I won't be able to wave or throw candy with my right arm...the shoulder is too messed up still.  In fact, the pain from my right shoulder keeps waking me up when I attempt sleep.  The doctors said I have to take it easy with that shoulder for at least the next few months.  The muscle they harvested from my shoulder to patch the leak in my stomach is one of the muscles that you'd use to bring your arm up and/or around.  They said I would have some pronounced weakness in that side from this point forward, but after a few months I can begin to exercise it.

Milestone: I had my first bites of 'real' food yesterday!  Amy and I went to the hospital cafeteria and I had 1 cup of mac and cheese for lunch.  It took me nearly 1/2 hour to get it all down...one noodle at a time!  By the time I finished it, I was full to the point of explosion. My stomach is now situated in my ribcage, so when I get full, it hurts my chest.  I was just thinking yesterday that I used to be the terror of any buffet...now, I couldn't even eat a plate full.  I also managed to eat a little tapioca  pudding yesterday.  The sensation of food is really a magical thing.  Don't ever take your food for granted!  I'm going to try a bit of oatmeal this morning.  Let's see what happens...

There's supposed to be an Elvis impersonator performing in the hotel lobby today.  They like to have shows and performances at the hotel to entertain us sick people.  I'm looking forward to this one though...should be fun.  My mom would love to see this one...I'll have to snap some pictures.

This town is slowly starting to wake up after the threat of Hurricane Rita.  Amy and I went to Target yesterday to pick up some soft foods for me.  The food section of Target was totally picked over, but we found what we went for.  The hospital itself is supposed to resume full operations come Wednesday.  It really is strange to witness and entire town shut down.  I do think that people are almost disappointed that the storm didn't actually hit here. 

I had my first real shower in 7 weeks...it's so nice to be fully clean.  I think I'll have another one now!

Hans