Jim's home!!! YAY! I got to pick him up from the hospital at 11:00 yesterday and here's what we know (When I called him yesterday morning his surgeon - Dr. Ertel - was there with Jim consulting so I was able to talk to her directly about our next steps): Jim will be on antibiotics for the next 2 weeks. We'll be able to go on vacation. In the next couple days, they'll schedule Jim for a colonoscopy to get a better understanding of what they're dealing with. He will then have surgery to have the part of his colon removed that has been causing him problems. The doctor thinks Jim's been dealing with this stuff for at least 18 months but because of the meds he's been on, it's kind of kept it from erupting into something sooner. She can't determine how "bad" things are and how extensive the resection will be until she gets in there. She says the surgery will at least start laparoscopically (she always starts there) but if things aren't clear enough for her and she needs to, she'll open him up and as she said, "get both her hands in there". Recovery for Jim is at least 2 weeks with restrictions but a full recovery can take up to 6 weeks. The doctor can't say if he'll have a colostomy bag...she won't know that until she gets in there but she's hoping not. If could be that he has one for a while as the ends that have been joined up heal and fuse completely. Ugh! So basically, the next 4-6 weeks will be a lot of doctors appointments, hospital visits and at least one stay. It's a lot but Jimmy's strong and he's got a positive attitude and already he's feeling much better.
Speaking of feeling better, Jim's up and at 'em early today, heading to an 8:00 dentist appointment. From there, he'll put in a full day of work and hopefully he'll be able to work through the weekend and next week to make up for days missed this week. And bonus, he's not going to have to work on 2nd shift! Woot!
Dinner tonight: Chicken burgers, fries (carrot for me, regular for Jim) and tomato/basil salad. We were going to eat this last night but ended up going out to dinner with Doug and Lauren. We went to a Korean restaurant and it was YUMMY! I had a tofu dish and it was scrumptious!
Today I'll just be hanging here at home. I'll probably clean the house, walk the dogs and get on the elliptical. I was going to go for another bike ride down to the trail but we're looking at rain so I don't think I will. I rode on the trail yesterday and it was lovely! I've avoided the trail because of the cicadas and though I heard them yesterday, I never saw one. They are definitely on their last legs and dying off so that's good.
Okay well, Scout is giving me the stink eye because he wants to get his walk on. Happy Friday! Later!
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