Hello guys..I'm back. I've tried to post a couple of times, but been having trouble with posting, and then didn't have the time to try to repost..so let's hope this goes though
Bob is in a room on a floor. Out of the ICU. We were off to a rough start, however, he is making progress. The night of his surgery..I called every three hours. By morning, they told me not to wait for the visiting time, to just come to the door of the ICU and come in and see him. His surgeons had been in and cleared him to go to a floor. He was much more comfortable. Pain meds had been adjusted, and everyone was on the same page as to his procedure and pain management. His nurse told my son and I, to leave for a bit while they got him ready to transfer. She said "Mr. Parker, you're movin' on up"..and she kind of smiled. I remember thinking of the old Jeffersons's TV show.She told me he'd be on the 9th floor in half an hour. You know me..twenty minutes later, Timmy and I were in the elevator headed up. When we reached the 9th floor and the doors opened, we figured we were missinformed. As it appeared to us as some type of administrative flloor. A huge floral arragement in a foyer area. To our right a glass enclosed bridge led to another tower, and to our left a set of double doors. We went through the doors..but we didn't see any signs about patient rooms. We immediately noticed the floor was newly carpeted..and the lighting was not flourescent. The walls were nicely painted in a subdued color and the doors to what we thought were offices were very wide..and in fact were patient rooms. We reached what appeared more like a reception area, but is in fact a nurses statation. Everyone we passed, said "hello". (hey..it's NY..you dont get that alot

). We reached what was to be Bob's room..and they were still getting him in, and taking his vitals, hooking up the chest tube, and NG ..when his nurse turned, and said "Who is this we have here?" My husband said it was his wife. She turned and replied. "why..she is lovely, Mr. Parker, you are a lucky man". Now..I tell you this because..in all candor..I hadn't showered in 5 days at that point, and let's say I looked like it. Even my son looked at me with that "Who the heck is she talkin' about" look on his face.

She introduced herself, and went over what was going on with Bob..and where we were at. At right about the same time, I received a call on my cell from his surgeon who was asking if we had reached the room. Wanting to let me know he had already seen him but was in the office "if I needed anything" to just call. Okay...frankly, at this point I'm thinking MOTHER OF GOD..they LEFT SOMETHING IN HIM.

Turns out this is a floor that is used for VIP's. Private rooms for those who have the bucks to pay for more than their insurance covers. The rooms and that matter the entire floor has more the feel of a hotel than a hospital. Nothing hangs in back of the bed on a wall..it's all in beautiful cabinetry. The bathroom is nicer than the one I have at home (okay..that's not hard to do..but you get my drift. He's got a large flat screened TV on the wall. You press a button for a nurse...and they ANSWER you. There is a cart that comes around with get this...FRESH FRUIT and COOKIES!. I tell ya..it's kind of like a twilight zone experience. I'm there about 12-14 hours a day. While the staff is attentive, I feel better being there myself. I've spent quite a bit of time in hospitals the last twelve years with my parents. You really need someone to be an advocate for you in situations like this. Even when the decor is better than it is on the other floors.
Yesterday Bob had a test where he drank dye and had an x-ray that determined that his stomach is where it's supposed to be..and nothing is leaking. So they removed the tube that went through his nose and down to his stomach. He is SO much more comfortable without it. They also removed his cathetar..so of course he was thrilled with that too. Two things he wanted most in the world..to drink something..and a pair of underwear!

The underwear fairy is back in business! He seems to be doing well with the clear liquids. They hope to start him on pureed foods tomorrow.
He's still got a chest tube, and they still have him on the epidural for pain..which he can press as need. We have him walking a bit. Although I have to say, he is exhausted when he's through. VERY shakey..and he's aggravated about that, because he feels good..and then wants to walk around, only to feel like he was hit by a mack truck when he does. I keep telling him..." a little bit at a time". We are light years ahead of where we thought we'd be last week at this time. He's had major throasic surgery...and a not so wanted stomach reduction. Yet..he's here, and let's be thankful for blessings we've received this week. Our pastor was by again..and prayed with us, after Bob had his test with the dye and x-ray. We have definetly felt the hand of God this week. I pray that he continues to progress, and we are able to get him home soon. I know he's got quite a recovery ahead of him. As long as we're together..we'll handle it. We have received prayers and good wishes from so many people. He is such a good man..and he's touched so many lives, he hadn't realized how many people cared about him. Like a lot of husbands, he sells himself short..thinking he's just a regular hardworkin' Joe. Only he's not...He's a V.I.P. !.