A word from Carmella..

Hi everybody,

You have likely heard about me, as I run Marty and Jeanne's household with a velvet paw.

It is such a relief to have my full staff available once again! I missed Marty not only for myself but for Jeanne. It takes a village to see to me, and I am attentive to the village!

Anyway, Marty seems much better after he bathed and ate today. He sleeps a lot, which presents me with many opportunities for warmth. Jeanne is much more calm and at ease now that he is home. And everyone can play with me, hurray!

Thanks to all the people and animals who have cheered and supported Jeanne during this time!

Love,

Dame Carmella Marie Barrett Spiegel

the home report

Although it was a little dicey last evening to get Marty in and out of a vehicle and then up 3 flights of stairs, we made it, he is home now, and healing thus continues.

He slept well in our own comfy bed without hospital noises, lights or interference. Carmella and I successfully kept him warm.

Given that this is his first day at home after major surgery and an extended hospital stay, his activity level was impressive. He collected the mail (3 flights down and then back up), cooked his own lunch while I was out to appointments, sat at his computer to check email, and reorganized his desk. That is a lot of stamina and strength for a person just out of an abdominal surgery! Don't worry, people, I am not letting him wear himself out, just happy that he is coming along so well.

We are taking this very step by step, moment by moment. As the landscape changes with his continuing recovery, I will request anything we need directly by email, text or phone.

Our thanks to you very dear people who have sent thoughtfully brief emails, texts or voice mails to express support!

Home at last!

After I finished teaching today (I had returned to full working hours yesterday), our friend Matt picked me up and drove me to the hospital to bring Marty home. Marty was all dressed and ready to roll. We said farewell and thank you to his nurses, all of whom deserve medals and an increase in pay, and good bye and good luck to his roommate, then onward to our home!

Marty walks slowly and carefully, and looks understandably weary and worn. Once he can eat, rest and unwind at home for some days, under Carmella's fine supervision, I am hoping some measure of his strength and stamina will return.

Many thanks to Matt for braving rush hour traffic on Marty's behalf!

Fewer tubes, more food....

Marty was "upgraded" to soft foods today, such as custard, yogurt, sherbert today. He had a little hot cereal and a few bites of orange sherbert. He proceeds cautiously with food intake.

His epidural for pain med delivery was removed, as was his I.V. morphine drip. All pain meds (he is currently only taking industrial strength Tylenol) now taken orally. He retains an I.V. hydration drip until tomorrow afternoon, when he is scheduled to come home!

Transitioning from hospital to home is a mixed blessing after an extended hospital stay. He will enjoy privacy, quiet and comfort, as well as Carmella's company. He will also have less skilled care and nursing attention and more challenges in caring for himself. It will be a readjustment for both of us as we figure out what he needs for continued recovery on a daily basis.

Please give Marty the time he needs to adjust to home life and continue to heal; allow him to call you. Also, the "no visitors" request remains. Thank you for putting Marty's recovery and our serenity first!

Thank you to all the dear people who emailed, texted and sent messages in other formats to cheer and support me and Marty while he has been in the hospital! You're the best!

We have gas!

Celebrating flatulence here in hospital land!

Marty's gut has woken up enough for him to cautiously proceed with clear liquids. He requested vegetable broth, and enjoyed some teeny sips without event.

His surgical team believes he is doing well, but they don't want him to rush intake of fluids so that his digestive system can be gently eased into further activity. He is more tired today, which the surgical team explained as the wearing off of both surgery drugs and necessary adrenaline. Despite his more weary state, he went for two extended walkabouts with me in his fashionable hospital get-up, and with his I.V. pole as trusty company. His bladder evidences healing to the extent that he may be freed of the catheter before he returns home, which is great news indeed.

His excellent nurses and PCT's are deeply kind and skilled, and have extended their warmth to me as well. I am very grateful for their great care of him, and touched by their kindness to me.

We are hoping for release either Tuesday or Wednesday so that he can continue his recovery in the comfort and quiet of his own home, with Carmella in charge of both of us rather than only boring tired me.

Walkabout as escape method...

In the surreal hospital environment, lighting, noise and lack of privacy are all challenges to serenity. When I arrived to see Marty this morning, he was sitting in his chair looking quite well for a person with major surgery just a few days behind him. His surgical team arrived, and declared his progress quite good. However, after listening to his gut, they advised going slowly on liquids by mouth, so no popsicles or broth for him yet.

His roommate had a huge crowd of visitors and Fox News on full volume. So, with his nurse's permission, I took Marty and his I.V. pole companion out for a lengthy walkabout escape. Nothing like loud discussions of football and Fox News to get him moving quickly and with purpose! I am, of course, providing Alexander direction to keep him from pulling down as he walks.

After our hallway walking tour, I gave him a sponge bath and dressed him in clean gowns and socks. He's some sort of fashion statement in green striped snap-on flowing garments with I.V. lines as accent and hospital non-slip yellow socks.

We are hoping for a Tuesday release if gas production goes well. No this is not fracking support, but farting enthusiasm.

Oh, and Marty was able to sing on the phone to my sister for her birthday, which is evidence of improved abdominal engagement.

Here's to singing and farting!

One less tube, hurray!

Marty was sitting up in his bedside chair when I arrived at the hospital today. He had already been out for two lengthy hallway jaunts, and went out for a third walkabout shortly after my arrival.

He has reduced morphine drip use significantly in hopes of healthy gut activity. As you all likely know, opiates suppress intestinal actions dramatically. The delicate balance of controlling excessive pain and recovering interior functions thus proceeds.

The nasal vacuum tube had been disconnected for some hours as most of the yucky gunk (technical term) from his stomach had been effectively removed. This was important as any remaining gunk would make him very nauseated. Vomiting after extensive abdominal surgery is not an experience anyone wants for Marty! A member of his surgical team removed the nasal tube (a distinctly uncomfortable but thankfully swift procedure). Much relief for Marty to be free of the invasive and noisy nose tube!

He will attempt clear liquids tomorrow, meaning broth, apple juice and a popsicle. He is especially looking forward to the popsicle as he has a well developed sweet tooth. If the clear liquids go well, he can slowly proceed to more solid food. Once he passes gas and can take pain meds by mouth, and thus relinquish epidural and drip pain meds, we can consider the wonderful prospect of his return home! No sure date for that happy outcome yet.

In addition to above considerations, Marty has to have the strength to walk up stairs, as we live in a 3rd floor walkup apartment. Given Marty's determination and spirit, I am confident he will make steady progress in this regard.

His nurses and PCT's are kind, skilled and very smart. Marty is humorous with them, and they all not only enjoy him, but are also deeply interested in his progression to full healing.

Carmella prefers her full staff available, of course, and is eager for his return. She is keeping me company in her amusing and delightfully demanding fashion. We are both looking forward to our family being reunited at home.

Thanks to Lissa for her kind ride to the hospital today, which gave me more time with Marty.