11- 8 & 9- 2010  –  Monday & Tuesday Day  +12  & +13  

(Bruce’s Monday blog was lost in computer land somewhere, so tonight Lisa is filling in both days.)

Status: 7.75/10. Life is still a big pain in the mouth – literally.

Events: Monday morning they loaded me up with platelets in anticipation of the surgery to reinsert by Hickman catheter.  The procedure went very smoothly and I got back to the room by mid-afternoon.  There to greet me was physician and Seattle friend Sam Sharar, who was in town for a meeting.  He brought the essentials- newspapers, Sports Illustrated and US magazine! We had a brief visit and he was able to reassure Lisa, still nursing her sore throat at home, that I look good at least.

  Swallowing has now become totally impossible.  I am hooked up to nutrients through my IV, because I cannot eat or drink. The doctors have also increased my pain medication – I still administer it with the push of a button.  Mostly it appears to do little but knock me out for a while.

   Lisa did manage to slip up for a few hours on Tuesday (again wearing a mask and sitting a good distance from me). The first thing she noticed in my room was a loud hissing noise.  That is the sound of two suction devices, similar to what you might find in a dental office.  I use them to suction the saliva build-up from my mouth, because I cannot swallow it.  Unfortunately a side effect from all the irritation in my esophagus and mouth are hiccups.  I’ve had them on and off (mostly on) for two days now.  One of the social workers told me this is not uncommon – yet another thing they don’t tell you until it is upon you.

Comments:  On rounds today my attending doctor commented, “He feels miserable, but looks good on paper.”   At least that’s better than looking bad on paper I suppose.  I am looking forward to the day when I look good on paper, and feel good too.  I know it’ll come – just hope it is sooner rather than later.  For now the days are dragging on slowly – it’s amazing how long the day seems when it is broken up only by naps and nurses. 

Thanks – as always – for all the comments on the blog – that’s a bit of sunshine.

 Best,

-Bruce