Dear Family and Friends,
I slept in until past 9 this morning, perhaps I needed it. When I climbed out of bed and checked the email I found that Keanna was playing at 10:15 so one energy bar later and a hot mocha on the go I arrived. Now I did move very fast but enjoyed seeing Keanna scamper over the field and do her very best. But walking make something else happen and there was a porta potty there nearby to celebrate it.
I drove home just in time to meet Jason and Jo, then after a few minutes of discussion we headed for UNO's and had a wonderful lunch. It so much fun to have Timothy, Keanna, Kallie and Mia all at one table eating and having fun. It felt very meaningful to me to be there and enjoy their love. The little ones are frightened and fascinated by the little holes in my tummy where the surgery was done.
I've had no pain meds today but did take one yesterday afternoon. In the morning I see my first house at 9:30 in Clayton, a 30 minute drive through the backroads, then I hurry over to Tracy to see another home. Once that is done I'll drive back home to work up some of the very important properties that need to be completed.
How can I begin to thank Barb and Gerry for their time spent here caring for me. They were fun, compassionate, helpful and guarded me helping me be safe. I miss them.
I also want to pay tribute to Ray and Lois who drove me home from the hospital after the surgery. What kindness to drive all the way out there and bring me home.
Now I'm ready to get back to walking again, back to the club for spin class and ready to regain my strength.
I've heard many sad tales of others who had bursting appendix and three week stays in the hospital. I'm very grateful to the excellent staff at kaiser who did everything just right.
Sending love to all,
love
Tim
ps Steve hope the jaw is better, root canals are no fun!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, November 4, 2011
Very interesting week
Dear Family and Friends,
The week started out normal enough, inspect some, write some, schedule some and then it spun out of control. Pain started growing all day until when Jerry said go to the ER I just did.
In a few hours they were operating, what they found we still don't know completely. I'll learn more next week when I visit the surgeon. We know they found and removed grossly enlarged appendix, a mass or mucous plug and a piece of the colon. What I know is I have three holes in my tummy and a whole lot of residual pain when I laugh, cough or even just move from a sitting position to a standing one. The pain is less tonight but I took a pain pill this afternoon so I could handle the inspection.
Gerry was a great driver, took directions well and we located all the comparables we needed to find. He hates traffic which got me to thinking I used to hate it too but having lived with so much of it for so long I hardly notice when things have stopped, due to the XM radio, the books friends load onto the ipod and regular radio plus long talks on the phone with friends I just cope with traffic, move when I can and stop when I can't move. I despise the commute lanes, they are totally unfair to the 50% of drivers that do not commute to work but work on the road all day every day, those of us who can't double up with someone in the car get the shaft.
Tonight I'm grateful for the help that Barb and Gerry have given me all week long. Great food, great company, funny memories, kind gestures and support have been the everyday repast.
Tonight they are home tucked in their own little beds.
Tomorrow Jason and Jo with kiddos are coming to see me, I can't wait and I think we'll hit the park, watch ducks on the back deck and catch up. Jason has had a tough week too with CT scans, chest Xrays and antibiotics now started.
This week Steve went to the dentist and ended up across town having a root canal, talk about no fun and a huge bill besides. Then he had to crank out reports while under the intense pain that followed.
So now the Sabbath is here and peace reigns.
Love to all and thanks for your many prayers and expressions of support.
Tim
The week started out normal enough, inspect some, write some, schedule some and then it spun out of control. Pain started growing all day until when Jerry said go to the ER I just did.
In a few hours they were operating, what they found we still don't know completely. I'll learn more next week when I visit the surgeon. We know they found and removed grossly enlarged appendix, a mass or mucous plug and a piece of the colon. What I know is I have three holes in my tummy and a whole lot of residual pain when I laugh, cough or even just move from a sitting position to a standing one. The pain is less tonight but I took a pain pill this afternoon so I could handle the inspection.
Gerry was a great driver, took directions well and we located all the comparables we needed to find. He hates traffic which got me to thinking I used to hate it too but having lived with so much of it for so long I hardly notice when things have stopped, due to the XM radio, the books friends load onto the ipod and regular radio plus long talks on the phone with friends I just cope with traffic, move when I can and stop when I can't move. I despise the commute lanes, they are totally unfair to the 50% of drivers that do not commute to work but work on the road all day every day, those of us who can't double up with someone in the car get the shaft.
Tonight I'm grateful for the help that Barb and Gerry have given me all week long. Great food, great company, funny memories, kind gestures and support have been the everyday repast.
Tonight they are home tucked in their own little beds.
Tomorrow Jason and Jo with kiddos are coming to see me, I can't wait and I think we'll hit the park, watch ducks on the back deck and catch up. Jason has had a tough week too with CT scans, chest Xrays and antibiotics now started.
This week Steve went to the dentist and ended up across town having a root canal, talk about no fun and a huge bill besides. Then he had to crank out reports while under the intense pain that followed.
So now the Sabbath is here and peace reigns.
Love to all and thanks for your many prayers and expressions of support.
Tim
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
The pain is real, friends and family are better
Good evening,
What an interesting day. I was concerned about how I would be able to sleep last night, well I guess I worried about it for a couple seconds and then I slept the night away, at 7 something I woke and needed to visit the bathroom, that is when the pain hit. Getting up seemed impossible but of course I made it and got to the bathroom but was diappointed, no real action took place. Then I drifted back to bed and the next time I woke was past 8 am. That time I got up to stay.
Barb and Gerry were very helpful during the day, we had a great but simple breakfast. Shortly later I shuffled through the kitchen to discover gleaming sinks, so white and perfect, counters were clean, wow Barbie knows how to clean.
Gerry swept the garage and tidied up outside and at 12:45 we went to pick up Keanna. She was delighted to see Gerry and Barbie. After she did her homework she and Barbie drove to Brentwood to the dollar store, Dollartree and they had a blast. Keanna purchased a very thoughtful card for me, I mean it was just perfect. She said other cards did not have the right message and this one did. She got a coloring book for Kallie and little Christmas boxes to store things.
Eventually they came home and Keanna was so pleased to give me the card. This evening Lois and Ray came over with water mellon and ice cream and we enjoyed time together. Right now Ray is helping Barbie get her new laptop up and running. It is a beautiful machine but challenging.
LeAnn came over this afternoon to check up on me, I wish I knew all she knows about eating and doing the right things for diabetes. Kens latest numbers came down a lot, great news.
Tomorrow we venture out, we have to see a place in Sac and then in Roseville. Pretty sure I'll be tired before I get home and so will Gerry.
Sending love to all, will be glad when I don't hurt with every move.
Tim
What an interesting day. I was concerned about how I would be able to sleep last night, well I guess I worried about it for a couple seconds and then I slept the night away, at 7 something I woke and needed to visit the bathroom, that is when the pain hit. Getting up seemed impossible but of course I made it and got to the bathroom but was diappointed, no real action took place. Then I drifted back to bed and the next time I woke was past 8 am. That time I got up to stay.
Barb and Gerry were very helpful during the day, we had a great but simple breakfast. Shortly later I shuffled through the kitchen to discover gleaming sinks, so white and perfect, counters were clean, wow Barbie knows how to clean.
Gerry swept the garage and tidied up outside and at 12:45 we went to pick up Keanna. She was delighted to see Gerry and Barbie. After she did her homework she and Barbie drove to Brentwood to the dollar store, Dollartree and they had a blast. Keanna purchased a very thoughtful card for me, I mean it was just perfect. She said other cards did not have the right message and this one did. She got a coloring book for Kallie and little Christmas boxes to store things.
Eventually they came home and Keanna was so pleased to give me the card. This evening Lois and Ray came over with water mellon and ice cream and we enjoyed time together. Right now Ray is helping Barbie get her new laptop up and running. It is a beautiful machine but challenging.
LeAnn came over this afternoon to check up on me, I wish I knew all she knows about eating and doing the right things for diabetes. Kens latest numbers came down a lot, great news.
Tomorrow we venture out, we have to see a place in Sac and then in Roseville. Pretty sure I'll be tired before I get home and so will Gerry.
Sending love to all, will be glad when I don't hurt with every move.
Tim
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Home again
Well thanks to wonderful friends I am home tonight. Do I feel great? Well no I don't. The offers of help were amazing and many phone calls came in from friends and business contacts.
This morning I drifted in and out, the surgeon made it clear that if I walked, could handle a normal lunch and could pass gas then I could go home this afternoon. The morning was a period of drifting in and out of awareness as I was still coming off the pain killers given during surgery. I determined to walk and did so several times. I also sat in a very comfortable chair for lengths of time and then would snuggle back under the covers and sleep more.
Lunch was strawberries, grapes, mellon slices, cottage cheese and ice tea. I ate it down rapidly and felt no bad side effects.
When the surgeon came in he brought me up to speed, turns out he had to take out more than just an enlarged appendix, he also had to remove a mucous plug or a mass as described in the surgery notes. In addition he had to remove a small piece of the colon. We'll know in a few days whether more surgery is required. The waiting is hard.
Mid day today Barb and Gerry Lammerding, long time friends from Lincoln City near Roseville, said they would like to come down and care for me. That was like a gift from God and they arrived this evening around 7. Moving about is very painful for me but I put together a little fire which we all enjoyed. They have moved in and are helping with Starr since I'm not suppose to lift mroe than 15 pounds.
Just now we were sitting in the family room watching a DVR of the latest Hawaii 5 0 and after sitting for that long the pain was pretty awful when I crawled out of the chair. I have three entry places for the surgery in my lower tummy and the entire area hurts like fire when I move or even when I don't move. As much as I dislike taking Vicoden I'm taking it tonight. With Gerry here I'll have a wayto get to appraisal appointments, he can drive and I'll just have to walk around the house inspecting and then back to the car. It is a huge help.
This afternoon Ray and Lois were kind enough to drive to the hospital and wait around until I was finally discharged. Then I rode home in Lois's very nice GMC Yukon, seats were soft, ride was smooth and Ray drove the Civic home. What a great help that was, to be treated is such a special way.
How I appreciate the offers of help from LeAnn and Ken, long time neighbors. Between Lois and LeAnn Starr was fed, watered and even had the heater turned on so she would not freeze last night.
I've heard from Art several times today and he has given me comfort and good advice, tonight Pam called and was shocked to hear what I had just gone through, she hopes to be able to stop by tomorrow evening. Of course Marilyn was shocked to learn what had happened and felt bad about not being here to help, who could have know what was coming last Friday when she left. At that point I felt fine.
Steve has been really terrific with his help on appraisals and he'll help more this week. Jason and Nikki have both been super supportive both last night and today.
Once again I'm reminded of how good God is as He supports His children through family and friends. Even Carol and Roger were supportive from far away North Carolina. Truely I am blessed.
I'm hoping I'll feel better tomorrow but I doubt it, I've found that the second day after surgery is often the worst day. I plan to stay home and do what work I can, then head back out to see properties on Thursday. I'm hearing stories of the old days when this surgery required a recovery time of days, even weeks so I need to keep myself patient and low key. If I had less work I would just take it totally easy but that is not possible.
Thank you for your prayers and for a wonderful Kaiser health system. This is how health care should be given, they have a super team.
Love to all,
Tim
This morning I drifted in and out, the surgeon made it clear that if I walked, could handle a normal lunch and could pass gas then I could go home this afternoon. The morning was a period of drifting in and out of awareness as I was still coming off the pain killers given during surgery. I determined to walk and did so several times. I also sat in a very comfortable chair for lengths of time and then would snuggle back under the covers and sleep more.
Lunch was strawberries, grapes, mellon slices, cottage cheese and ice tea. I ate it down rapidly and felt no bad side effects.
When the surgeon came in he brought me up to speed, turns out he had to take out more than just an enlarged appendix, he also had to remove a mucous plug or a mass as described in the surgery notes. In addition he had to remove a small piece of the colon. We'll know in a few days whether more surgery is required. The waiting is hard.
Mid day today Barb and Gerry Lammerding, long time friends from Lincoln City near Roseville, said they would like to come down and care for me. That was like a gift from God and they arrived this evening around 7. Moving about is very painful for me but I put together a little fire which we all enjoyed. They have moved in and are helping with Starr since I'm not suppose to lift mroe than 15 pounds.
Just now we were sitting in the family room watching a DVR of the latest Hawaii 5 0 and after sitting for that long the pain was pretty awful when I crawled out of the chair. I have three entry places for the surgery in my lower tummy and the entire area hurts like fire when I move or even when I don't move. As much as I dislike taking Vicoden I'm taking it tonight. With Gerry here I'll have a wayto get to appraisal appointments, he can drive and I'll just have to walk around the house inspecting and then back to the car. It is a huge help.
This afternoon Ray and Lois were kind enough to drive to the hospital and wait around until I was finally discharged. Then I rode home in Lois's very nice GMC Yukon, seats were soft, ride was smooth and Ray drove the Civic home. What a great help that was, to be treated is such a special way.
How I appreciate the offers of help from LeAnn and Ken, long time neighbors. Between Lois and LeAnn Starr was fed, watered and even had the heater turned on so she would not freeze last night.
I've heard from Art several times today and he has given me comfort and good advice, tonight Pam called and was shocked to hear what I had just gone through, she hopes to be able to stop by tomorrow evening. Of course Marilyn was shocked to learn what had happened and felt bad about not being here to help, who could have know what was coming last Friday when she left. At that point I felt fine.
Steve has been really terrific with his help on appraisals and he'll help more this week. Jason and Nikki have both been super supportive both last night and today.
Once again I'm reminded of how good God is as He supports His children through family and friends. Even Carol and Roger were supportive from far away North Carolina. Truely I am blessed.
I'm hoping I'll feel better tomorrow but I doubt it, I've found that the second day after surgery is often the worst day. I plan to stay home and do what work I can, then head back out to see properties on Thursday. I'm hearing stories of the old days when this surgery required a recovery time of days, even weeks so I need to keep myself patient and low key. If I had less work I would just take it totally easy but that is not possible.
Thank you for your prayers and for a wonderful Kaiser health system. This is how health care should be given, they have a super team.
Love to all,
Tim
It's over. Recovery
I'm a bit foggy on details. I know this young buck went in through my belly button and with his camera found the enlarged appendix and removed it.
I remember the anthesiogist telling me she would have to intobate while was awake. I don't remember doing it.
Next thing for me was waking in huge fog in recovery. Then we rolled to my room and I slept the rest of the night.
Now really awake. Only nasty shock is the bill. 1675 by Wednesday afternoon. That will be a stretch but somehow it will happen.
I may go home this afternoon.
Thanks for your prayers.
Feeling good, unless I move or cough.
Have a good day
Love tim
I remember the anthesiogist telling me she would have to intobate while was awake. I don't remember doing it.
Next thing for me was waking in huge fog in recovery. Then we rolled to my room and I slept the rest of the night.
Now really awake. Only nasty shock is the bill. 1675 by Wednesday afternoon. That will be a stretch but somehow it will happen.
I may go home this afternoon.
Thanks for your prayers.
Feeling good, unless I move or cough.
Have a good day
Love tim
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