Update from Tom - THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 2009 04:09 PM, CST

[Guest guest]

At this moment, I am in love with the whole world.They moved me from my room to pre-op just after noon. After hooking up the IV and going through piles of paperwork, they moved me to the operating room about 1:20. They sedated me, the doctors gave the stuck drain a twist, and it slid right out. They stitched me up, and I was in the recovery room by 1:25.

There is more than the normal amount of pain right now, but that is being controlled.I'm also hungry, which is the first time in a week that I have wanted something to eat.The blood tests are still good or moving in the right direction.

Right now, the only artificial thing sticking out of me is a single IV line.Is it possible I might be released soon? The outlook is brighter than ever before, in my view. I still don't have a lot of stamina, strength, or energy, but I know I will regain that faster at home than in the hospital. I'm starting to lobby hard for my release by tomorrow.

Please keep the prayers coming. It's time for me to go home, but it will take some divine intervention for that to happen, given my experience.Tom

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

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