I need to de-program.

Although I was treated with the best of care by the most friendliest and expert people, it is so good being home.

I was really, really, looking forward to sleeping in my own bed. It did feel so great to crawl in under my fav blanket, with my fav pillows, with my windows up I could hear the nocturnal symphony of locusts, train whistles, crickets, and ummm...... "tree frogs." Yesterday was a big day both physically and emotionally and I was beat -looking forward to some serious recharge time. But instead it was like I was still in "hospital mode."

I went to bed at 9 and although it seemed weird not being hooked up to my 9 pm IV, it felt good crawling in after doing my new required nightly routine now of gulping 19 pills, weighing myself, checking my blood sugar, blood pressure, and temperature just like at the hospital.

It was odd that, although I have forever slept on my left side, (now known as the "kidney side") I was now attempting to sleep on my right side (now the "pancreas side") as I had done on occasion in the hospital to facilitate the two JP drains that they had draining fluids from my abdomen. Weird.

I drifted off for a bit but woke at 11pm to use the bathroom (and wait for the nurse to change my IV and give me my a shot of Atavan ???)

Then some fitful tossing and turning 'til midnight or so ( as I waited for the patient's aid to come and check my vital signs ???)

Sleep finally came, but again at 2 am,so did nature's call. 

Grrrr.

Then at 3..... Boom!, Awake! ( and waiting to have 4 tubes of blood drawn and my vitals checked again ???) 

What the ???

At 4 am I was awake like clockwork 

( and ready to get out of bed to be weighed by the aid.....???)

Now I lay here, eyes wide open at 6 am,

waiting to have my vitals checked, meds given, IV's changed, and doctor's visit).

Argh.

Morning came a little early today - woke me up when I wasn't ready..... 

but at least as I lay here, I can listen to the birds singing and the world coming into play outside and not hear hospital code calls and IV machines beeping.

And I am thankful.

It's gonna be a good day.

I just need to re-program a bit.

Now I'm on my feet again.....better things are bound to happen.....

After some more hard core medication education from Deb Holibaugh my superwoman transplant  coordinator, a visit from Dr Yang and several other doctors then,at 3:09 pm today, August 16th, 2013, they unhooked my last IV, and closed this chapter of my saga.

I said goodbyes and thank you's to all my wonderful nurses, aids, and staff and then Nick and my Dad brought me the 27 miles home. 

It was the sweetest ride on the most beautiful day and my home never looked so good. I dropped to my knees and kissed my front lawn. Kara had the house all "Welcome Home" decorated with balloons, banners, flowers, and cards.

I am such a lucky man. 

Lucky for all the obvious reasons but also for the family and friends that God has blessed me with. 

In my book... YOU ALL ROCK!

Now I go back to the tx clinic every Monday and Thursday for the next 3 months for bloodwork, any med adjustments, exam, and consultation.
 

As I've said before - there's a lot to this transplant business.
 

Once a month for the next three a nurse will come to my home and run a two hour IV on me.

Thus begins my new life paradigm.

Sounds pretty dang hectic and yet I am SO very thankful.

Thank ALL of you for everything prayed, done, and offered. I will never be able to repay everyone.

I am so humbled.

I love you all.

    Deb helps me figure out my meds and       

    dosages.

                 My Recovery Crew

    Aileen, my last nurse and crazy    

    coincidentally wife of Alekh, my last 

    ICU nurse.

    Cutie nurse Chelsie, the nurse who

    checked me in back on August 1st.

        Sign in elevator on the way out.

So now just FYI, although the high drama

is past (we hope), If you continue to check here from time to time I'll be sure to let you know how this recovery is going.

Ultimately, I'd like to use this blog to help others. 

So don't write me off.

I gots work to do.

Thanks for being here.

Bob

Waiting for the dawn.....

........of my last day in the hospital.

    Theres too many shadows in this room...

It don't seem fair for days to just disappear....

This has been a very busy day as everyone here rushes to cram in all the

Information that they know I'll need in my

new life paradigm.

After I saw Dr. Yang this morning, and after several more blood tests, I had a great visit with my friend Judy, then I met with the dietician to go over foods etc., then I had a two hour season with the post transplant coordinator getting schooled on all the ins and outs of the truckload of meds that I'll be on.
Two mre blood draws, then Dr. Diamond the nephrologist stopped by to tell me how good both organs are working and to wish me the best.
Then Dawn, my favorite social advocate from the team paid me a visit, followed by a hospital pharmacist to see if I had any questions on my meds.
 

The "highlight" of the afternoon came when nurse Cathy pulled 22 inches of JP drain tube out of my gut. (Definitely not for the squeamish.)

My JP drain. All of the white hose was inside.

 

Physical therapist Irene came by twice today, first for an evaluation then a second time with a regiment of exercises for me to do. I had a nice evening with great visits from Kara, Kathy, & Rick and Lisa.

                    Evening Meds

Then tonight two of my fav nurses from the sixth floor Cassie & Heather who treated me really well last week signed on with me tonight and treated me very well on this my last night in 614.

The people of this hospital have been the utmost in professionalism and as nice as as anyone could ever wish to have.

They all have my most heart felt thanks.. 

               Bob, Heather & Cassie

I'm in repair....... I'm not together but I'm getting there....

So........ The Yin has met the Yang.

Dr. Yang was in first thing this morning and said something about my great blood numbers, then he mumbled something about how great my organs were doing, then he said something about drugs.....and then......very clearly.....quite pronounced and very vocal......he said......  

     YOU'RE GOING HOME TOMORROW !!!!! 

                         JOY !

Gonna' be a good weekend baby!

More here later!  : )

Nick, Bob, and Kara out for a walk on the 6th floor.

Where all the cool kids hang out...

                                                                    The New Digs

Pano of M 614

 

 

                                                My Dad Skypes with me in my new room.

The Whole World Will Be Different Soon....

It's the sweetest thing.... 

My ICU nurse Alekh just came in and told me that after

receiving the blood I did today and the following testing that was done - Dr. Yang has deemed me well enough to leave the ICU tonight after dinner.

Woooooooooo Hoooooooooo!!!!!!!!

I'll let ya know about the new digs once I get moved in.

ICU has been an experience to visit but I have crossed it off my list now so from this day forward....

Pictures From afar..... last day in ICU

Please s'cuse the hair.

Saying goodbye to Kacie

...and Alekh.