C Day + 1

Jennifer's doing well.

Last night, the first night, was a bit rough at points. The trach tube had to be suctioned a couple of times....basically sucking the oxygen out of the lungs, causing the sensation of choking. Otherwise all else was smooth.

It's amazing that a small, 2 cm spot on the tongue can hit you like a Mac Truck.....

The plan is to get her walking soon, work toward removing the drain tubes within a weeks time. Feeding tube may stay a little longer. We'll have to go through training for cleaning the tubes.

The plastic surgeon fellow came in and said the free flap looked good. As part of the healing process, will get worse (swelling) before it gets better. They use an ultrasound wand to check the flap...like listening to a fetus heartbeat. Pretty cool.

For the record, daytime tv sucks. Jennifer is changing channels, but there's nothing of interest.

Just saw chief surgeon. Said the swelling's not too bad right now. Everything else was looking good.


10:00 pm. Busy busy busy...the world never stops even though you wish it would slow down. Many thanks to everyone helping us out today.
Busy for Jennifer:
We had visits with the discharge reps, the physical therapist, various RN's, VIP's, OMG's...too many to count. Part of any patient's therapy is getting them out of bed. Jennifer was able to sit for a 45 minute stint, then, later, another hour long stint....she sat up straight without using the pillow as a back support, which is huge. She's gonna win this.
She also had the inner cantor (forgive my spelling/terminology if I have it wrong), basically the inner tube replaced in the trach...it's cool to watch the procedure, but devastating to be powerless to see my wife in pain...and she's been through a lot, has a high tolerance. She met my brothers.

She's getting stronger. She's also getting frustrated with my inability to read her hand signals, always having to resort to pen and paper...but we're getting better at it...everybody should try to go one day without communicating verbally (and with only one usable arm)...

I ventured to look at the reconstruction today. To my untrained eye, it looked good. Swollen, but good. The ultrasound checks are still positive. God is smiling on us, as will Jennifer.

Busy for the family:
I ran home for a few hours to visit with Mom and Terry....oh, and the kids too. I also set up a couple of after-hours appointments for the girls. However, I had to get back to the hospital, so Mom and Terry had to take them. I told you earlier that I'd get them to test the Houston traffic...had to get my kids sick to do it, but it worked. So, on the home front, we're looking at pink eye and bronchitis to treat. Thankfully they should be cleared up before Jennifer comes home.

Also tried to catch up on work a little in the hospital...keep it from piling up. I know. I know...you don't have to say it.

Learned that I went public recently. I hope my IPO went well and doesn't lose it's value. See. I made a funny there. My sister posted my blog on FACEBOOK, making me public, like Facebook went public...and my value is not quite a bazillion dollars, but close -- okay. I'm sorry. If I have to point out my jokes/puns, then I shouldn't say them. Funny again, because that's what Jennifer tells me all the time.

I'll stop for tonight. Time to get some rest.

Thank you for the prayers.


O Saint Peregrine, you who have been called "The Wonder-Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you, who for so many years bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fiber of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more: you who were favored with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction, ask of God and Our Lady the cure of these sick persons whom we entrust to you Jennifer. Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing praise to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.