Downshifting

I haven't done this little in a long time. I got a good 8 hours of solid sleep. I had some breakfast with Dad and Uncle Fritz. I did some work while Dad napped, but didn't move much from this spot on the couch. The TV was and is still off. I haven't read any news, nor I do I really care what's going on. That's a nice feeling every now and again, to just take things down a notch.

Dad has had to do that too, especially in his recovery. He's still moving forward just fine. But never in my life have I seen him get up at 8-ish, have breakfast, and have to take a 2 hour nap. I know that is part of the body's way of healing and repairing. It's just very odd to see, for someone that you know typically rises early and doesn't do a whole lot of sitting down until the dishes are washed and put away and the nightcap is poured.

Dad is doing well with his recovery. He's been doing the recommended walking and exercise on the treadmill, figuring out how construction cranes work (hell of a project outside the hotel window -- Mom says he was the 'foreman' in the days before the surgery). His appetite has come back strong, and we're just about to go get some lunch.

Mom went home on Wednesday afternoon...and I think that was a big part of the recovery process too -- recovering her world known as home! It should come as no shock to any of us that one of the first things she did was have her hair done. Princess indeed. She's now been home for two nights in her own bed and her own world with a cranky cat and a content dog and her brother Ed. Only thing missing is Dad, and he'll be there soon enough...in fact, one week from today, everyone will be back in South Carolina.

So we continue driving forward, only in a little lower gear that I'm used to. And I'm content to let it all pass by with some time to stare out the window and enjoy watching it all go by.

Time to Start Packing

I have never been away from my home this long ever I think. It's time to start collecting, and packing and making that delicious trip back. The best part of the ride home is the turn into the driveway...everything that was taxing and troubling sorrowful or bothersome suddenly melts away.

At one point I felt I couldn't bear to walk thru that door because I didn't know what would be on the other side. Yes I truly felt that way. Cleveland will become a distant but extremely poignant memory for all of the Gladfelter family. We will be back for visits in 6 months, and then some far down the line. The good news...we will be coming back...the better news...I cannot wait to open that back door.

Talk to you all in due time...but for now...shhhh...he's napping right now, and I need to start packing.

The Rain

People don't get why I have this mysterious love affair with Seattle. While I can go on and on about the majestic beauty of the Cascades watching over a vibrant and progressive city which has strangely always felt like I had been there in some previous life, most people retort with "but it always rains there". This isn't true -- summers are beautiful and I like to point out that Greenville gets more annual rain than Seattle (even though Greenville has far fewer cloudy days overall). But I've never minded the rain anyway. I love being confined indoors, with nothing to do but watch a movie or take a nap, clean up or just do nothing.

So it's probably been a good thing that it's been pouring rain in Cleveland the last couple of days, because Dad wouldn't fare very well in Seattle. While he has plenty of indoor things that can keep him moderately happy in his usual day-to-day life, Chuckles is far too outdoorsy to really want to stay inside unless he's given a reason. So it's been nice for him to rest, relax, walk on the treadmill a bit, and get used to feeling just a little bit different than before he went in for the surgery. When I talked to him this morning, he said he was feeling some soreness -- but at least he could pinpoint where it was, as opposed to in the hospital when he'd just feel it all over. Best part of all is the appetite is returning -- Dad has always been a big breakfast guy (on the weekends anwyay, do we still own that terrible griddle that would destroy waffles?), and both yesterday and today he ate things like eggs and I think some bacon (or sausage?) or somethin' like that. Eating is good -- I think both Mom & Dad have lost a little weight over the last couple of weeks!

Tonight, Uncle Fritz will get into Cleveland...which means tomorrow, Mom can go home. I'm sure she is thrilled. If she hasn't counted the days, it totals 21 now. That's a lot of days to be away from home. And next week, by this time, Dad will be just a few days away from making his own journey home.

Sunny thoughts like those are better than any umbrella.

From "The Horses Mouth"

Notes From The Halfway House

Well, yesterday they finally sprung me from the “Big House” to the hotel. Aside from being told I am cancer free, this is one of the happiest days in recent memory.

Obviously I am delighted with the result of my hospital stay and am very appreciative of the excellent care received, but each passing 24 hours became more and more like “Ground Hog Day”, an endless repetition of blood drawings, taking of vital signs, hooking up new IV lines, and various tests. I have grown to love the idea of being awakened several times in the middle of the night to have someone stick more needles in my arms.

“So Happy Together”
The best recollection so far is being able to say goodnight to “Naaan” (wife Nancy) and awaking to say good morning to her in the same bed.

“Up Your Nose With A Rubber Hose”
The worst experience is being awake while a couple of nurses wrestle a hose to drain your stomach through your nose. You don’t want any more details.

I will now stay at the hotel through August 28th. Nanc will return to Greenville on Wednesday the 22nd to make sure we still have our house, business, and dog and cat. My stay here will variously accompanied by my brothers Fritz and Tom, and sons Todd and Darin. Tom will drive me home on the 29th.

On the 28th I will:

Have the final external drain tube removed

Learn how to drain my new bladder

Find out from the Oncologist if I will need Chemo upon returning home (my surgeon doesn’t think I will but perhaps it will be a preventative measure)

I sincerely appreciate all your thoughts and prayers, I know they have helped both Nanc and I get though this. I am looking at some 6 weeks of recovery, regaining strength to the point that “The Legend” can add more antidotes to his storied past.

Love you all, Chook

One Step Closer to Home!!

What a day!! My Superman just got back to the suites after thanking so many wonderful people that took such marvelous care of him. Words again never can express our amazement of the entire staff at the clinic from his Surgical team Nursing Staff, Housekeeping and transport. ing. Dr. Fergany and Dr. Kieffer will forever be enshrined in the hearts of our family.

We have some major strength to get back. The hospital discharge, ride back to the suites, (all of 4.5 minutes, a real shower and we are down for a well deserved nap!! Sure wish I had a pot of my Mom's chicken soup to pour into him, but for now I'll rely on whatever the hotel offers up.

The team is assembled to take over for me starting next Wednesday as I will be heading back to SC. A HUGE thanks in advance to Uncle Fritz, Uncle Tom and of course my babies. I've got some catching up to do, but were it not for our Angel Jenna and my big brother Eddie manning the helm I really don't know what we have done. It is so heart warming to see how people in and out of our lives have stepped us for us. And to my girlies Beka and Shayna thank you for opening your hearts and home to Harley!!! A giant shout out of love and thanks to our friends Beth and Chris for the chauffering and bed and breakfast...best in town I've heard!! Love you Jennifer!!! Do good in school and two hands on the wheel please!!!! Chica we loved the books but I love you more....Aunts Terry and Denise...the flowers were lovely!!! Let's get together soon!!! Jude, Joan and Jim as always thanks for being there for us...back at you as well!!! Good luck to you Joano will be thinking of you tomorrow!! Rabbi Jim...you are the best and thanks go to you for being there mostly for me. It continues to help immensely.

I know this sounded pretty rambling, but such is the whole experience...more thank yous to come!!

Keep the prayers ongoing please, and we'll do the same back atcha'

It's time

Mom & Dad are waiting on the folks to come up and discharge them from the Clinic right now!