8/8 Update and Thank You's

Hi all. It has obviously been a few days since the last post, and all continues to go well overall. My Dad asked that I update the blog for him as he has kept very busy with all the time at the hospital etc. No news back yet on the final biopsy results, but as Dad said in his previous blog, the preliminaries look clear. Also the Upper GI came back and everything appears to be functioning extremely well (big relief for all of us). They have even started solid foods the other day again for her. The only significant "problem" issue we are dealing with is she has a persistent infection in her chest that they are working to clear. The doctor is confident still though that healing is progressing, and it should clear up with the proper care and cleaning (although I can tell you that the care/cleaning part is very painful!). The original plan for aftercare of the surgery was 2 weeks in the hospital, and then another 2 weeks in a nursing care facility before going home. Due in large part to this infection, they have kept her in the hospital for a few more days (the rumor is she may be released from there on Sunday). The good news to all this is that we now believe we will be able to take mom straight home and avoid the nursing home altogether which makes us all very happy. So overall, spirits remain high, progress continues to be made, and the prognosis continues to be excellent. Just a long road still to go which we all knew was there from the beginning.

I did want to take this chance for a few "thank you's" from me for all the help and support my mom and dad have received:

1. To the "night crew" that have all given my dad a break to get some rest at home - Lois (for that first lllooonnnggg night and seems to get all the tough nights after that), Maggie, DeAnn, Jo Anne, and Sandi.
2. To all the visitors: Jay, Alicia, Randy, Eric, Clark (the Orchid is beautiful btw), Dana, Diane (and bringing a very happy puppy named Katie with you), Sandi, DeAnn, Jo Anne, Gene, Sandy (also for joining the surgery day vigil at the hospital, and my mom loves the slippers!), Devin, Jim and Glenna (ok so not in person, but your daily calls sure felt like you were there!) and anyone else that may have (or will be) come(ing) while I was(/am) not there. Your visits really help lift my mom's spirits, keep the nursing staff on their toes, and help the time go by for all.
3. For the many blog comments, gifts, cards and pictures: Bill and Mara (your pics of Katie put one of the biggest smiles on my mom's face while she was there, and you may recognize the latest pic on this blog too!), Billy and Jessie (my mom loved your "flower pot" card), Kurt and Evey (taking the time with all you have on your plate has really been special to my mom).
4. Diane for taking care of mom's little girl and giving Katie the royal treatment. From shopping sprees to the finest malls and stores complete with papparazzi, to allowing her to select her own food, to lavish trips to the "beauty Parlor", exotic get-aways to Santa Barbara, and just taking such great care of her. It has been such a huge lift of this burden from my mom knowing that you are taking such great care of her!
5. To all the Tahoe friends, I know she has really appreciated all calls and concern so much.
6. To my wife Christine (or as my mom like to point out to EVERYONE, her pregnant daughter-in-law :-)), I could not have gotten through all this without your love and support. Thank you so much for everything you have done (and believe me, it's a long list!).
7. To my dad who we like to tease about not spending enough time at the hospital -- you have been amazing to mom through all of this, and are will always be the one she looks to for support when she needs it most. Now back to the "world's smallest violin" :-)!
8. To everyone reading this blog -- we are all a bit tired around here, so please forgive any omissions I may have made here in this quick list and know that we appreciate all the kind acts, thoughts and prayers.

Until the next blog, my love and thanks to all!

Marc