Almost a month

On Friday it will be one month since Bob's surgery. Though there have been plenty of ups and downs, it seems that he takes great steps in a week's time. His physical therapist thinks he is doing amazingly well. We were on the golf course yesterday evening; he drove the cart and putted while I played. But...he pays for it when he does too much or is under too much stress.

School started today... I had a job I loved, but it feels good to be home.

Loved Today

Today was so good. Yesterday not so much, though we had chest X-rays yesterday again, and Dr. Denyer said there wasn't any more fluid than Wednesday when he last drained his chest. So that was good. Just kind of a tired day. But today, exactly the opposite. We went and saw Mom and Dad, went to lunch, and took a tour of the new high school. He did many things around the house today... and still has a smile on his face. We are so grateful that things are going so well. Thanks to all family and friends for your prayers and love.

Two Weeks Yesterday

Went to the cardiologist yesterday, not Dr. Chambers, who we saw in the hospital. But he detected more fluid around Bob's lungs. We will wait a few days to see if the body gets rid of it, probably see the surgeon next week to check it. His strength is coming slowly - the neuropathy in his feet is worse, however. Terribly painful all night. Why can't life be simple? But... we are so grateful for his progress so far - things are good.

Our first hospital run

Well, Sunday and Monday were fair days - not great. Weakness and discomfort but no more muscle spasms, thanks to our physical therapist. Bob started physical therapy on Monday - he can also go on his own on days he isn't scheduled. Yesterday he was checked by the surgeon, Dr. Denyer, who pulled his staples - Hooray! Because of his shortness of breath, he sent us to the hospital for X-rays of his lungs. He's a busy Dr., and we weren't sure how soon he would get to them, so we came back to Rexburg. We had been here for about a half hour and got a call to come back and have his chest drained. So we headed back to IF and met Dr. Denyer in the emergency room. He drained a quart of fluid around the lungs, and he felt so much better following that. Plus he slept pretty good; we were only up about four times - nothing major, just getting comfortable. He is doing better and better.

My greatest challenge is that he hasn't felt like doing laundry, which he took on 21 years ago when I started teaching.

Yesterday was a pretty decent day - not quite as strong as the day before, but still pretty good. However, he is having jabbing pains along his left side. They run along where Dr. Denyer had to drain around his lungs because of built-up fluid. They seem to be muscle spasms, and if you've never had such a thing, you're really missing out. They can send you to your knees, and finding a comfortable position can be a mystery. But we're doing well, otherwise.

Good Day

It has been the best day yet; so good that Bob probably overextended the time on his feet. He has been thinking about what he is missing at Scout Camp and is so grateful for youth and adult leaders who are doing amazing things to make it successful.

Home At Last (or Already)

We came home late last night around midnight. Bob couldn't take one more night at the hospital, and it was pretty emotional getting home. Cam followed us up and made sure we got settled all right, and he and Kasey stayed the night and helped this morning as well. It was so good to have Cam doing the little things Bob would do; I have taken many things for granted. An up and down day today, but there's no better place to heal than right here where we live. Such a beautiful evening tonight.

A couple of hard days

Well, how foolish were we to think that every day would just get better. Sunday night and Moday were just as everyone had said: "Day 3 is by far the worst." 'Twas a rough 24 hours for sure. However, today is somewhat better. This morning Dr. Denyer drained fluid from around his lungs through his back. Plus X-rays twice today, along with all the other poking and prodding they do. He's exhausted from the regime. Now he's supposed to walk the halls, and he just might throw something at the next nurse or therapist who walks in the door. He needs to go home so he can rest, which could possibly be tonight, but probably tomorrow. ... and I'm hoping we can golf on Friday and fish on Saturday. But I guess we don't always get what we want. Maybe just a walk on 4000 West in Hibbard. After a week in the hospital, that sounds like a wonderful possibility.

I just returned tonight from the hospital to actually sleep in a bed - the little luxuries of life we take for granted. Bob's last two days have been amazing. After only 24 hours in the ICU, Dr. Denyer marched in and said he could leave, that this Unit was only for sick people. They even made him walk part of the way... but lest you think it was easy, he was suffering intense pain, in spite of how well he was doing. The two drain tubes still feeding from the chest cavity were probably most of the problem, and he anguished for hours after being moved. Erica and I paced the floor in his room, feeling helpless; none of us, including the nurses, could get him positioned to give any relief. Brandon came in at five, gave him a blessing, and he immediately became comfortable. Everything became manageable after that and he slept well, (between the hourly nurses' visits.) Dr. Denyer came in this morning, announced that he was pulling his jumper cables, and before Bob could hardly catch his breath, he was yanking the drain tubes from his chest, plus every other hookup. He has no hookups now after only 48 hours. Amazing! But it did wipe him out for a couple of hours; however, he got up and walked all four halls after saying he didn't think he could even get up. How grateful we are for good doctors, faith, and prayers. Thanks to all of you for your love and concern.