RECOVERY - DAY 12, GOING HOME!

We have a new favorite doctor, Betty Tong.  She has many wonderful attributes, but the most important right now is that she paved the way to, "Get the *&%$ out of here."  Today!

Peter doesn't cuss much, and rarely uses the word indicated above, but that phrase became his mantra yesterday.  If they had not given him permission to leave today, I think he'd have walked out on his own. 

I got here early, and when the docs came by on rounds we were ready with questions.  They really don't send you out of here with too many instructions.  No swimming or bathing, but showers are fine.  Peter can't lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk.  Despite the fact that he's been off of all pain meds for several days, they don't want him to drive, and the riding mower is probably too bumpy for a while.  But long walks in the woods are called for, and Peter can't wait to be in his own bed.

He is coming home without his voice.  A few of you  said you'd missed this part of the blog.  The tube they put down his throat for surgery irritated his vocal cords and the nerve that serves them.  And part of the surgery itself requires stretching the left cord.  So Peter can only whisper, and is advised to speak as little as possible.  He can't talk on the phone. They'll re-assess the situation when we go back on April 10th, but most likely the problem will resolve on its own.

They were able to get Peter on a 16/8 feeding schedule.  That means that he'll be untethered from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., and back on the pump from 4 p.m. until 8 a.m.  Our nightlife out at the clubs of the Triangle will suffer, but we can manage, I think, until April 10th.