Carmella weighs in..

Hi everyone in the entire world and beyond!

H.R.H. Carmella here, reporting about the wonderfully improved service for me now that Marty feels better and Jeanne is in full relief mode. I am thrilled to have my full staff available in a much more consistent fashion.

Marty gets up in the night to attend to my needs for snuggling and food instead of him being ill. Jeanne doesn't drag around all day like a limp zombie. And, they laugh and eat together far more than previous to his surgery!

This is all good news for me and for them. But let's get back to me: do you think I look fat? I think I am lovely, of course, and rely on them to maintain my admirable figure.

The Latest

Marty continues to do very well 3 and 1/2 months after his surgery to remove scar tissue and a section of his intestines. It seems nearly miraculous that we can eat, sleep and live more or less normally with few difficulties for Marty's digestive system. What was challenging for nearly 8 years is now an increasingly distant set of memories. What a relief!

Thank you to all who remembered Marty on his birthday with cards, calls and emails. We went out for a lovely dinner in the neighborhood and walked home happily without fear of midnight digestive distress. How he lived for so many years with constant discomfort still astounds me! To say the least, Marty is resilient!

Marty's birthday

Marty's birthday is Tuesday March 6. Emails, cards and calls welcome for him!

And now, the financial challenges...

Marty's health and well being has improved significantly since his surgery in late November to remove massive scar tissue and a length of intestine. He can eat without ensuing discomfort and can absorb nutrition from food, which means his quality of life has far improved.

And now, the bills for hospital care, tests and procedures have begun to arrive. Marty's health is a treasure beyond price, but the bills are staggering. This is life in America: you survive a health crisis then have to endure the high levels of anxiety associated with paying for the care that made survival possible.

Marty's digestion and life quality has improved, but we may both have high blood pressure soon from financial anxieties.

Stay tuned!

And another procedure

The stent to assure kidney flow was removed today without incident or excessive discomfort. Marty experienced momentary unease but no significant pain. I watched his face during the entire stent removal process, so can credibly testify to his level of comfort/discomfort.

In general, Marty has increased energy, improved color, better stamina, and is far more able to enjoy the activities of life. His quality of life has increased to a much more reasonable level. He sleeps, eats, works and moves with ease and possibility.

In a few months, his urologist will revisit the kidney stone scenario to make recommendations for prevention of future stones. In the meantime, we are celebrating Marty's health by eating widely, sleeping deeply, and enjoying the "new normal".

Celebrations

This blog is really not about me, but about Marty and his health and well being. That being said, today is my birthday. For many years, it has been very challenging for Marty and I to be able to celebrate any occasion with a shared meal together as his digestive discomforts limited our options. He was a trooper in going out to eat with me, but typically suffered in the aftermath.

For the first time in many years, we can plan to enjoy a meal at our favorite local place without worries about Marty being ill afterward. In other words, we can now live and celebrate and enjoy life without the stress and anxiety of Marty's previously challenged digestive issues.

This means so much for us, after many years of distress and anxiety. Some sort of "normal" life has resumed. (Not that either of us have become "normal" in the larger scheme of things!)

Happily celebrating being able to eat together!

Lipotrypsy (kidney stone removal)

The procedure to remove a large kidney stone embedded inelegantly at the top of Marty's ureter was successful today. The ureter was inflamed all around the stone, which indicates that the stone would surely have caused serious trouble if left unaddressed.

After general anesthesia, a camera scope was inserted up Marty's ureter to view the stone and condition of the ureter. Then, a laser was used to break the stone into removable pieces. These pieces will be analyzed so that recommendations can be made for prevention of future kidney stones. All of the stone was removed.

Due to ureter inflammation, a stent was left in pace to assure flow from the kidney to the bladder. This will be removed next week.

None of this could be described as "comfortable" for Marty, but he is not in any high degree of pain either. Urination is likely to be frequent and bloody for the next several weeks. Both antibiotics and pain meds have been prescribed.

Although being in surgery mode again has stress levels for both of us, this one was a breeze in comparison to much more dramatic and major surgeries that Marty has experienced.

No recovery problems are predicted or expected. Fingers crossed for no more surgeries in our household!