She is not as drugged out as yesterday but still hard to understand at times...but getting better. Linda walked around the circuit (5th floor) 5 different times today....it was heard that her surgeon saw her and smiled and he is never known to smile.
The wound from the surgery was exposed today to aid healing....it is quite long.....her new "hole" in her from left side is called a "stoma" and the nurse who assists that with her came by today (she will stop by each weekday) and spoke to Linda about how the colostomy works and getting her comfortable with the routine. She said Linda's stoma was a "hollywood stoma", a term used to describe a stoma that is looking good..and Linda has a good one.....
Linda's spirit and determination is very very good...a "bump in the road"...as she describes it...her "vainness" is suffering a bit.....no more bikinis.....no more "skinny dipping".....the nurses say "forget that'..."be proud" and they point how that there are an incredible amount of people with colostomies......
Jim and Janine arrived from Portland and will spend the weekend taking some of the pressure off Dave...Jeff came by and spent quite a bit of quality time with his Mother today.
Linda is easing off the morphine as much as possible as we received our first offer on our home today..."good things follow bad" or something like that? Anyway it is the start of a break we are looking for. Tomorrow Linda and Dave will go over the offer and make a counter...hoping all will come together. Note that Dave cleaned the house top to bottom in preparation for the home showing that led to the offer without the supervision and advise from Linda...I wonder if that made the difference (yuk yuk).
We want to take a moment and thank each and everyone of you for your comments, cards, emails, flowers, etc., etc. However the support is given, it is much much appreciated and does help in Linda's recovery..beyond measure....keep it up...the comments for sure.....
Some pictures from today...I am skipping yesterday's as who cares about yesterday...today is today! If any guy says "hey look at the "flat hair"...spouses are to smack him...what do you expect from a hospital bed...and we've told Linda nobody cares!....
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14 comments:
I check in here Wednesday and all seems well. I come back tonight and all heck has broken loose!! Boy, this is a big one. And very familiar to me. My mom had diverticulosis most of her life and she had a tear just like Linda's. Her first surgery, they took out a piece of her colon, but were able to put the rest back together. But, that's when they found cancer in the removed section. Thank the heavens that isn't the case here.
Mom ended up going in for a second surgery a year or two later and that's when she got her colostomy. Don't worry, Linda. I know this is a major transition, but Mom was able to live her normal life still. It just took a bit of getting used to.
Gosh, I hate that you keep getting this stuff thrown at you. But, you have the best possible attitude. It is what it is and you'll adjust to yet anothet new normal. Your strength and belief is awe inspiring. Here I've been, whining to all who'll listen about some muscular pain in my neck. I feel like a fool for complaining, when I think of all you managed to withstand with such grace and good humor.
Hold fast, Linda. They can't keep you down for long. My very best thoughts are with you for a quick recovery. You are both such amazing, strong and inspiring people. I'm proud to be your friend.
My love to you both, as always.
"Linda's spirit and determination is very very good."
I suspect it will always be that way. I love you, Auntie. You are strength and dignity I look up to. You're in my thoughts.
Debbie :)
As I knew it.... you are up and being the strong WOMAN that I know you are... just a bump in the road and look at you!.... I wish that I was half the woman that you are... I do know that I want to be just like you, and I know that you encourage women who are in your life every day to strive to be better than we were yesterday!
I think it is time for you to write a book! A book about becoming the Strong, Courageous, Determined Woman.... or maybe even title it BELIEVE...
I know that you could, would and do encourage women of all ages, every where in this world.... I think it would be a best seller:)
this picture of you walking the day after nearling dying, as my desktop picture... and I encourage everyone to do the same....
I am in AWWWWWWWWWWWW
Julie
Greetings from chilly ...no scratch that ... really cold sunny florida! YOU LOOK TERRIFIC linda. Five trips around the hall, amazing...you go girl. Who said no skinny dipping... We met a guy at in MA club who did and there are ways to deal with even that desire! We'll research it for you... some behaviors just have to continue for spirit's sake.
Have learned "Level 10 " or whatever the card games is called, pretty well thanks to Ashley's. Need to refresh experience with the "King" game to ... Next challenge is to assemble the Kinkaid jigsaw puzzle... too much time indoors! LOVE YOU and sending you 'Puter HUGS xoxoxoxo grace, frank, ann, dick and joe too ... we think he's back from the frozen north. More tomorrow.
PS MAY THE SALE FLY THROUGH AT A PRICE YOU ADORE! Then come here and help us sell our lake castle! We'll hire Dave to clean it for showings... yuck yuck yuck.
gep/fep
Linda, you looked better than I did after my abdomen
surgery. I had that NASTY NG tube in my nose down my throat for a week. UGH!!!!
One thing, about you, you are always great looking no matter what. Why because of that BEAUTIFUl SMILE!! Especially more so with that good looking guy smiling with you.
I guess it is that positive attitude coming through.
When anything bad gets thrown at you , you just say I can whip this and you will whip this bump.
Will continue to pray for your speedy recovery and will put yu on our church prayer list.
I haven't been out for four days so today is the day when I venture out in to this cold, bad day to have lunch with friends. Stupid, I know but I have "cabin fever". Got to get out!!!!!!
Well, take care and David, thank you for being a GREAT husband and caregiver.
Love, Janet
Whew! We were so relieved to read this blog posted on Friday night as we had checked several times on Friday and there was no update after Thursday night's blog. So happy to hear you are doing so well, Linda! Keep up the fighting spirit and know we are praying for you -- your complete recovery as well as the sale of your house! Dave, take care, continue to stay strong, and you and Linda will get through this trial as well. You are both so strong, and we know your work with Wings has much to do with this. What a blessing that organization has been in helping you to face the many many trials you have come through.
All our love and wishes for a speedy recovery,
John Benson & Shari Forbes
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
That's all I can say about you Linda. Good to see your smile.
Lot's of Love
Kim & Ernie
Glad to hear all went well and you're making your laps around the floor!! Keep it up and you'll be back outta there before ya know it. I'm here in PDX thinking about ya. Take care and we'll keep checking in. Hugz. Carter & Dustin.
Flat hair??!?! Hey, at least there IS hair, right? (Men, what DO they know?) And it looks mah-velous!!! and you look mah-velous!!!!!!!!
L, I'm beyond happy at the pics. You truly look fantastic and lighter of spirit. Keep your focus, feed your soul, and take in all the love we give you. Wallow in that energy!!! and as always, I've got you wrapped in that golden glow of healing Source Love. Meanwhile, best of luck with the home sale, and Dave -- you can take a nap or two, bud. :-D
with both of you and all y'all in my thoughts,
Susie
Linda,
You have a smile so wide that I can't help but smile back. I can't help but think you are nothing short of amazing. Such courage! But one thing, it sure give us weenies a bad name thanks a lot!
Keep that smile coming, shining star.
And Dave you are certainly a keeper. You are a good man, charlie brown!
Love to you both.
Carol (Brown)Fields
You are truely amazing and I love you very much.
Linda- You look beautiful!!! You are a fighter!! Many prayers. Lindy
Dear Linda and Dave,
You both continue to amaze us! How wonderful to see you walking around and the hair thing "doesn't matter" We will continue to support you from afar!!!
Love, Kay and John
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