Update from Tom - THURSDAY, JANUARY 08, 2009 06:20 AM, CST

[Guest guest]

Today marks the five week anniversary of the transplant. My feelings right now are mixed, quite frankly. I wish I was further along in the healing process, and I'm very frustrated at the numerous setbacks along the way. Then again, I have much to be thankful for. Maybe God is trying to teach me patience. I wish He would hurry up!

I'm tolerating the Heparin blood thinner well, I guess...no physical problems so far. They are slowly ramping up the dose to break up the clot, and they are monitoring the situation closely with blood draws every four hours. The PICC line came out yesterday, and that event was pleasantly surprising, since it was a completely painless process. (That's almost a little disappointing, since pretty much everything they do to me here involves inflicting pain to some degree.)

I have now had two meals containing real food, although I would question their 'low fat' designation. Cold cheesy lasagna and fatty pork roast with gravy aren't considered low fat where I come from. The vegetable side dishes are pretty good, though. I could make better meals of the sides and leave the entrees alone, and that's what I'm doing. They are also giving me some vitamin enriched drinks. Overall, I feel well enough that I will try walking again today, which will be a first since last Sunday.

It's amazing to me how having something to chew on helps change my attitude. I've been having lots of short, strange dreams every night about food. They last about 15 seconds each, and they are always the same. I'm eating something and enjoying it immensely. Then, I wake up and notice that I'm chewing...very strange. I still had many of those dreams last night

The benchmark for my tolerance of the new diet will be the color of the drainage. It should not turn milky and cloudy. So far, so good on that front.Blood pressure is still an issue. They finally got a couple readings overnight with systolic over 100, which hasn't happened in a while. Typical readings as late as yesterday afternoon were in the 80/50 range. That is slowly getting better. Maybe I'm finally getting fully rehydrated. I do know I'm bloated. I gained 15 pounds in two days thanks to all of the fluid infusions. Problem is, I'm storing that liquid and now I look and feel like the Michelin man. I hope the dam bursts soon.

No word on a discharge date yet. That will depend on how well I tolerate solid foods, the effectiveness of the blood thinning treatment, and the stability of the blood pressure.I still crave all of the nice messages you all have been sending. It is very humbling to know that there are people not only in this area, but all over the world, who are praying for me and our family. Your words always touch us deeply. It is a huge blessing to know so many wonderful people.

At the top of that list is Larry. He stopped by yesterday after a follow up appointment. He was also on his way home from work. Wow. Five weeks after that surgery, and he is on a limited hours work schedule. He looked great. He said that stamina is still an issue, but that is getting a little better every day. I hope some of Larry's best values and characteristics resided in his liver and are now in me. I did find myself actively cheering for Ohio State the other night (sorry, Dad). I've NEVER done that before, so I attribute that to that good Ohio liver. By the way, a doctor noted that on my official chart, so it's now part of my permanent record. Maybe I should have turned the TV off during that visit, but doctors need to know that major bowl games sometimes are top priority.

Jacqui also visited yesterday. She is doing an amazing job keeping the business going, despite being spread far too thinly for far too long. I have never met anyone with her level of dedication--having her as a partner is an enormous blessing. Still, I need to get out of here soon so I can start pulling my weight again.

Let me close with some prayer requests: In addition to my healing and medical wisdom, I pray that the shift to a solid food diet will be successful and that there is no return to the destructive TPN therapy. Also, please remember Kathy and the rest of the family in your prayers, too. They are holding up well, but they need prayer support as much as I do. The same goes for Jacqui, as busy season is fast approaching and I need to be able to start working again, even if on a limited schedule. Finally, thanks and praise to God for Larry's successful recovery and continued progress. And, thanks to God for each of you. I cherish your prayers, friendship, and caring.

Tom

To send a message to Tom, Kathy and family goto;

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/thomasbutler

-- Ian Cribb P.Eng.

-- Ian Cribb P.Eng. -- Ian Cribb P.Eng.