Update from Tom - SATURDAY, JANUARY 03, 2009 03:42 PM, CST

[Guest guest]

'I'm home. Home. And I don't want to leave here ever ever again. Oh, Auntie Em, there's no place like home!'--Dorothy Gale from Kansas

Larry told me it would be this way. Going home (and staying there) is a HUGE emotional lift. The biggest adjustment to make is logistics. Kathy is a great nurse, and she has been a huge help in getting me adapted to the stairs, bed, bathroom, etc. She mastered the TPN setup, and my first big bag of 'milk' went in without any complications. She is also managing my medication schedule, getting me ice chips, and putting up with my complaining. Kathy is the best wife ever.

I took my first shower since the transplant this morning. Sponge baths just don't do it for me. For the first time since December 4, I feel clean.Meanwhile, one of the two JP drains stopped filling completely, which is what we want. The other is still running like a faucet. We need that one to dry up as well so they can remove them...they are really standing in the way of rapid recovery. Fortunately, the leaks onto my clothes and skin have slowed substantially, which is a blessing. Now all that raw skin can start to heal, and since we're binding up the dressing instead of taping it down, I'm more comfortable.

I had a decent night of sleep last night. It's refreshing not to have a 4 am wakeup call for blood tests and nurses and doctors tramping in and out of the room all night long. Kathy and I slept until almost 8:30 this morning. That's unheard of for me...guess I needed it!

It's still tough to find a position to recline or sit that is comfortable. The pain is managed, but it still requires around the clock attention.Stair climbing is a challenge, too. I can walk without too much difficulty, but I'm wobbly on stairs because my strength isn't back yet. I had to rest for about 15 minutes this morning after going upstairs. It felt like my heart was ready to jump out of my chest.

That's today's update. Time to find another position for sitting. Ugh. 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.