5-22-2011 @ 00:15 "Not so Good"

"Not gonna let go"

This picture is worth a thousand words and a 2:30am ride back to Portland for a replacement of his J-tube.....yes you read it RIGHT! After helping Dad up the the bathroom for a routine "potty" break. He stood up and looked down only to say to his PRIVATE NURSE(me) "...what's that?" OMW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (OH MY WORD), It was his J-Tube lying on the bathroom floor. Short time later we were on the road again to Portland (2:30am) OHSU to have the tube replaced. Yes, if you do the math we were home a whole 5 hours. We (Bonica, Vicky, Dad and Myself) were packing only minimal needs in hopes that it would only be a short visit. We arrived at OHSU at abbout 6am and went straight to ER. Within 21/2 hrs Dads J-tube was replaced via a wire guide through X-ray. Praise the lord his wound didn't close up to much in the 6hrs it was out so they did not have to go in surgically.

We are still in the Portland area and NO, we have not removed his hospital ID band as you can see. We decided to stick around for 2 days to make sure we would have no more POST issues. We are chilling in a hotel and getting the hang of the new tube. I have to admit that it was just NOT right to be sitting in 13K-10 again (Dads hospital room). It was surreal that we were back in less then 12hrs from Discharge. Dad's surgical crew was on it though!!! We even got to see that wonderful Dr. Coleman again. And even though Dr. Sheppard was in seattle at a conference he was made aware and pulled stings to get it done....yesterday. We love you Dr.Sheppard.

This photo is Dad holding on to is J-tube IN HIS SLEEP! He is not about to let it fall out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Home Sweet Home

"I cant believe I'm home"

Home at last! We left the hospital about 3pm after several hoops. We took the I-5 to Hwy 12 where we stopped for our 1st stop which was the famous Smitty's. We let Dad eat mashed potatoes with butter and tomato juice which was not V8 so....not so good :(
Bonica and I then switched driving places and off we were to the tulip/bulb farm. Dad was doing great, very excited to be going home. The scenery was peaceful and dewy.....the forest and surrounds were so beautiful, considering that we were indoor for 9 days..hahah. We finally pulled in at about 8pm, the cheerleaders across the field were NICE and LOUD to welcome the wonderful KING home. It only took minutes for them to show up......great timing because we had a car FULL of stuff as you saw in pictures prior.

The teaching has begun :)

We are now on a tight schedule, so here we go. Now that Dad is situated we need to get him hooked up to his new friend JOEY (feeding pump). It only took us about an hour to figure everything out. It's going to take a few days to get into the swing of things but you know what they say..."practice makes perfect". Dad was a trooper as he watched us try to figure it all out. We had lots of eyes watching up so we knew we couldn't make error or else.

I'm out of here

Home sweet Home

Going Home

After coordination of the Dr., Nurses, P.T., Option care (feeding tube), Pharmacy, etc. we were so ready to get out of this place!!! No offence OHSU we are just excited to get home to our normal lives, as best possible. We left the purple P1 parking spot about 2:40pm after of course loading and unloading the car three times. As you can see by the photo we had soooo much stuff plus 4 people to fit into the car. The last thing to go in was the walker and it didn't want to fit. US girls finally got it to ALL fit....imagine that.

You would think He had a baby with all this extra stuff



We love being on the "Road Again"


We were looking forward to the mildly slow trip home. Gonna stop every 30-45min and let stretch is legs and assess pain and nausea and offer "pleasure" full liquids. I can't believe what a trooper my Dad and Bonica are. Pretty intense life style change around and they are both doing so well. A few days of noisy oversight on my part and all should be good.

Job well done by "WOMEN"

     Even though it was raining when we left the Portland area we were still looking forward to the scenic drive home and hopefully plan to stop and see the tulips on hwy 12. After picking up the most imortant medications at the pharmacy we were on "THE ROAD AGAIN"!

Torture-Picture is worth a thousand words!!!!

I've been kissed by the TOAD

Flower King

Let the Sun Shine on me :)

God answers PRAYERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

     This the same landing that we took pictures 8 days ago! We have had the most beautiful views while here at OHSU, as you can see Mt. Hood over my brothers right shoulder was breathtaking today. We took Dad for a wheelchair ride from the 9th floor observation deck down to the 7th floor fountain and garden deck. All of course after he walk from his room to the elevator and down to the 9th floor and out onto the deck using his walker......way more then 2 trips around his ward. We felt like he was needing a little sun on that little peach fuzzed head of his. Yes aunt Pat, we did put him in the shade because we had no suntan lotion for the neeeeeeded UV ray protection. We don't want to have skin "C" next.

 

So Glad to be with MY DAD :)



Harem of Many

Day 9: Green Light

The most wonderful Dr. Coleman

     The Thoracic team was here early this am (Dr. Shipper and his crew....No Picture :() with the green light to go home. Then Dr Coleman came in and gave the green light too. The plan is to be able to leave sometime sabbath afternoon. We have some discharge teaching to do prior to going home. The infusion care team will be coming in tomorrow and showing us how to do Dad's feeds and medication administrations. PT will be sending us home with a walker. He has been increased to 60cc=2oz every hour and on full liquids instead of clears.
     The three kids finally decided to show up about 8:20am and took Dad for his morning walk with instructions to "HOOF-IT" speed. He did 2 loops around the ward in 2.45min....way to go Dad. He and Bonica had a really good sleep last night.

GOOD NEWS !!!!!!!



"Are you messing with me...you all told me this yesterday?"

Get this "PUPPY OUT"

      4:00pm   Removal of the 2nd chest tube....WHY?.... because the CT scan of the lung read by the radiologist and pulmonologist says every thing is PERFECT with his lungs! What they saw on his X-ray and CT scan was the upper/dense area of his liver. So just as Dr. Sheppard (Abdominal Surgeon) was exiting the room the PA for Dr. Shipper (Thoracic Surgeon) came in and said she was here to remove the chest tube. It only took a few minutes to set him up and out it came!!!! They applied a small dressing and then removed the other dressing from left chest tube site. We are one step closer to a shower...yah, after 8 days Dad is getting a little stale...lol...he smells like the Rose of Sharon no matter what!

Day 8: THE KING IS ALIVE AND SPUNKY



King and Queen are early risers

      So guess who got called a slacker this morning? King wanna-hock-a-loogie!!!! Yes Rick and I were up super earlier so not to miss the Dr. visits this morning. I was a slacker yesterday and missed most of the "real" Dr. visits because of slow morning or afternoon nap...shame on me. So today we were here by 6:10am :) And I got my wish, Have got to see and talk to each one. Dr.Shipper met us in the hallway during our am walk and talked to Dad about his 2 options for assessing the right collapsed lower lung. He is going to do a CT and decide if the lung is collapsed because of an inflate issue due to thick secretions or if it is due to chest cavity fluid causing pressure against the lung making it difficult to expand outward. If it is internal (inside the lung issue) they will need to do a bronchoscopy and suck it out, if its chest cavity, they will insert drain tube. May or may not be a home set back.

"SPUNKY"

     We told Dad that it is better to stay and be completely healed then to push the envelope and go home early just because we want to be home on sabbath or in 9 days verses 10-14days then to have to return or be hospitalized in Yakima!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He agrees but is still hopeful as we all are. He went for a walk in the hall this morning and got a little tired out because we were stopped in the hall by the Dr. and he stood for a long time. He is presently taking a good nap. Bonica has gone to the hotel to take shower and freshen up for her King :)

     P.S. Please keep the prayers coming......God bless.

It's all about COMFORT!

Let's play footsies

    We were making ourselves at home watching the news then American idol while Dad was dozing off. You would think that he would get tired of having us around 24/7 but he actually sulks when we leave for bathroom breaks..lol...what a baby! No, really....he does enjoy us around and we enjoy watching him get Better by the minute. We are having lots of good conversations and laughs. And lets not forget he loves the pampering. It almost feels weird to leave in the evenings to go to the hotel after being with him and Bonica all day. She has spent every night with him except maybe two at the beginning when sis was here and he was in ICU the first night on the vent. Dad and I are worried about Bonica not getting her rest but she would not have it any other way......Thanks Bonica for loving our Dad soooooo much. He needs YOU!!!

Night lights of Portland, Convention Center spikes

     This is the night lights from the 13th floor of Dads ward just outside his room door. Vicky and I were trying to take postcard quality photos but was a little difficult due to the large window we were taking it from. being on the 13th floor makes everything look so small down below but its worth the view in the distance. Dad is on the 13th floor which is newer so each room has a day bed under the window. It's a place for Bonica to stretch her legs but not super comfortable :( The only real complaint i think is the thermostat.....wacko, hot when they want cold and cold when they want hot! It works with my thermostat because I'm normal...hahahha.

I'M STANDING TALL

Me and some of my clan. (Gayla,Vicky,Bonica,Dad,Ricky)

First real group picture. Snagged a nurse from the hallway to take a picture of this motley crew. These smiles are sooooo expressive of our feelings of how well Dad is doing. There was a small set back this afternoon :( His right lower lobe of his lung is collapsed and doesn't want to inflate. They are not sure why so they have hooked him back up to water seal suction on his chest tube. The dressing continues to have episodes of saturation of serous drainage but much less then last 2 days. They will re-X-ray tomorrow morning to see if it is resolving. If it doesn't then they may have to go down into his lung and see whats going on. This news isn't about to get Dad down!!!!!!!!!!!!

He did a total of three ambulations today around the nursing unit which is pretty big. Sat up in the chair three times for 1/2hr to 1hr each time. He had one episode of nausea after walking around the unit and having a 30cc swallow of water so we decided to give only 1/2oz every 30min so not to over stress is SKINNY STOMACH :) He is now sleeping really well while the three girls are sitting at the foot of his bed with our feet on his bed and Rick is looking busy on his computer...work stuff....POOR guy.

Day 7.....On my way to independance

Look at me...I can put on my own socks!

     So the Occupational therapist came in this morning to educate and assist Dad on putting on his socks and pants, he passed with flying colors. She also helped him with lying down in bed and getting out. He returned from his swallow test via gurney with the biggest GRIN!!! Good News..Good News honey (he said) the anastimosis is healing perfectly. They will be removing his 2nd chest tube this afternoon. He also was seen by the nutritionalist and physical therapist. There is NO stopping this locomotion...We are going to break all records.

I Hope he doesn't CUT me!

    I don't know how I'm going to take care of myself at home. My family has been wonderful to me...I love them so much. I could not have done it without them. I wish that I could get these nurses and Dr. to move a little faster. I want this chest tube out yesterday and where is my pain medication....come on you slow pokes....where is my ice chips. Dad is now officially on 30cc=1oz of fluids every hour. He has now had water, ice, orange Popsicle and soon apple juice. Tomorrow he will be able to have 2oz every hour.

Man's Best Friend

Now this is Awesome!

This is Deo, a therapy pet that comes once weekly to visit patients in the hospital and Dad wanted to be put on the waiting list for his visit. Only 10min later did Deo and his owner/volunteer come in to see him. He is a labardoddle that has the most gorgeous eyes. Dad wanted him to jump right into bed with him and he did after we covered dad with a blanket. Deo made himself right at home on dads chest as you can see. I love this smile on my dads FACE....PRICELESS.

Day 6...Come give me some Loven Baby LOVE!!!



Dude "I'm COOL"

NG tube is gone, getting ready to take off B/P cuff, Oxygen monitor on my left ring finger and I'm ready to go to the Bathroom please! Oh good Dad are you ready to PASS SOME G.A.S?????? one step closer to fluids and food. Rick (son) spent the night with Dad and gave us a text this morning at 7:40am via Dad saying "Where are those slacker women?", you don't call us slackers and expect to LIVE...lol. We got dressed and was there in minutes only to find him up in a chair and ready to pose for his morning photo.....HERE YOU GO!



Aren't we cute?????

Can you see the return of the GREAT GOATEE? My little bro gave him a shave yesterday and he left the growth from the last 6 days...yah!!!!!!!!!! Even his head feels like a little peach.....fuzzzzzzzzzzy.

Day 5..................God is truely healing!!! and has many Earthly Angels

The MAAAAAAN!, one of the two who put Dad back together. Dr. Sheppard

This photo was taken Monday mid morning. As you can see Dad's central line was removed from is right neck area and he is not wearing his oxygen tube. There was a period of time Sunday night he was put on a mask because of low saturation's but then back on cannula when he falls asleep during day if it drops. Is maintaining 98-100% on room air most of the time. They also accessed is left chest port for IV fluids so he just has one 14gauge in left anticubital area. Then of course he still has feeding tube which has been increased to 40cc/hr which is about an ounce (+) each hour. Oh yeah, he was also taken off his Insulin pump so they are checking his sugars about ever 4hrs and then give him insulin per sliding scale. Dr. Coleman came in also and pulled his NG tube out about 2" and re taped it. They are hoping to do a swallow studies Thursday and remove the tube just prior to that. Dr. Sheppard is very pleased with the results of Dad's surgery and is progress with recovery. Its all about his motivation and family and friends love and support!!!! Dad keeps asking each person in a white lab coat that comes in about the size and findings of his tumor, REPLY from every person is "We don't know yet because the pathologists have not released the information". Dr Sheppard and Dr. Coleman did tell him that the tumor was so small that they could not even palpate it through the stomach or esophageal wall. They also said that they did not manipulate it in any way so not to spread those cancer cells.....they just wanted to get it out. As some of you know he was also told he had a neoplastic tumor in his small bowel seen on CT. Well! after looking over the area of  several times, they were unable to find such a tumor and called it a CT misread......My brother says "It was probably a little turd"...lol, Dad says "HEY".

Sugar in the Morning

    Sugar in the morning, Sugar in the Evening, Sugar at supper time, be my little sugar and love me all the time, put your arms around me and swear by stars above, you'll be mine forever and ever above..... :) This is what was sang to Bonica, me and the Respiratory therapist this morning. She said she didn't know she was going to get a show with her treatment. Dad was talking her hear off about is family and how they all have very different and wonderful talents. You can tell how proud he is of ALL of us!

Try to keep up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at my beautiful Wife and Flowers, Nurses get to enjoy them because they cant come in my room :(

We look like we caught the Jaundice BUG....not really this yellow!

    He was able to get his Left Chest Tube out about 9:45am and had been sitting up in the chair since 7:30am. About 10:15am this wonderful Physical therapist came in and we got Dad up and walked the hall like a soldier.

A Picture is worth a thousand words!



Two Thumbs Up......Gonna Rock all u's world!!!



Talking to FAMILY

     Wow, what a great day! Dad got a call at about 10:30 this morning from HIS papa and they had a nice conversation. Dad was just experiencing the effects of his bed on vibrate/percussion mode to help move his fluid around in his lungs, so I'm sure that grandpa thought his voice sounded funny but lots stronger then yesterday. He then got to talk to his little sister at about 11:20am and that too was a good  conversation. I know that just his smile means we are moving forward so the awe so small voice that other family can hear over the phone is encouraging to them. And know its a little before 4pm and he got to say a few words to his oldest brother Jerry before that "Darn" phone drop the call. To all those out there that love our Dad......He is a trooper on a mission for GOD!

This is how we Brush our teeth...Brush our teeth....Brush our teeth!

     I'm sitting behind the bed typing this blog hoping he will sleep! That is one thing he is not doing to well with. He is obsessed with the visions and hallucinations he has every time he shuts his eyes. He keeps telling us that he sees these little "Puppets" that look like his family members and they keep waking him up. The one that looks like Mike has long droopy ears :) Dads orientation has been amazing and memory to. He has yet to fail a question about surroundings/family/instructions about treatments or past memories. Grandpa Birdie, they did remove his ear from the buttocks area because he has never been able to hear as well as he does now!!!! we cant whisper without him ease dropping or he whispers to us and if we say what, he says "whats your problem...are you deaf?"

     I have never hear anyone grown in "that feels so good" noises while brushing their teeth like my Dad this morning. He sat up at the side of the bed for about 30min then we stood for a linen change and a tooshy wash. I made him wiggle is buns and stomp in place to get circulation via motation..hehe. He then DID NOT experience REM sleep for the next few hours. He got up in a chair at about 1:50pm until about 3pm. He is now trying to rest but not  going so well. He wakes about every 5min to tell me what visions he is having and how frustrated he his that these visions/images won't leave him alone. Some are cheerful and some are gruesome. I wish he could just let go and relax!!

Day 4 Still in ICU

    The morning started a little earlier then expected. Sis called and said that he didn't sleep well and was not breathing well, apnic spells and was doing some hallucinating, my poor sis doesn't handle seeing our poor pops in that state. She was awesome though...spent the last two nights in his room with him. She wanted to spend that time because she has to go back to Yakima today to the real world of motherhood. Thanks sis for the nights of sleep for Bonica and I, we will miss you but know your heart is right here with us. 



Sugar Bear starting is Nurses Aid Career Early





Brrrrr.....Brrrrrr (sound of a airplane coming in for landing)



If I sit here REAL QUIET maybe he won't see ME :)

     Sorry we didn't get a gang photo this morning, THEY were all sleeping while Bonica and I jumped out of bed and got dressed (NO shower, clean you know what or make-up), we did however manage to brush our teeth.....only for the sake of our faces in dad's, we didn't want him to pass out! This place and time at Dad's side is not about beautiful. Speaking of beautiful, this weekend was so beautiful to have several of his grandchildren here and those that could't be I know were sending their love.  





Sabbath Aternoon



Kids in waiting, self-entertaining

Playing with my sprinkles

This is Dad the day before we headed to Portland. My Uncle Rob went out to help Dad get his sprinkles running so that he would have a horse pasture of grass to mow when he gets home.....not. Aunt Pat also helped do a little gardening...yes I said gardening which means DIRT!

Audition for the circus

The afternoon has been somewhat quiet! The kids have all been awesome just chilling and walking around the grounds doing as you can see, monkeying around.

Turning to the left then to the right. Time to sit up and time to cough and lets not forget a time to smile. He wakes up every little bit and makes some common sense statement like, wheres my dowry, I think Brook is cuter then you sugar bear, your breath stinks etc. He has not lost his keen sense of humor which is always a good sign for someone in his situation.

The Honeymoon phase is over :(

     Dad is hanging in there. He doesn't have quite the color today or energy level. It's hard to hear him talk because he is so dry and lips are stuck together or tongue is attached to the roof of his mouth. Poor guy, I wish I could give him a canteen of ice cold water. He did get to start his feeds via the feeding tube at 2:30 today (Pepertine AF which the AF stands for Ape Food...hahahaha...that's what we are going to tell Dad since he use to tell us we were 1/2 red bottom Baboons). He is having a little more drainage from is right chest tube and increased fluid in his lungs, so the poor guy is getting lots of encouragement and instruction on TCDB (turn cough deep breath). The lung fluid is loose so that is good. He is still maintaining a low grade temperature though. He was started on an insulin drip last night for some elevated sugars. Output today is a little better though....."Think Yellow" we say. He is maintaining a good B/P and O2 saturation today too.

The Gang leaving for the hospital to see Dad/Grandpa on this beautiful sabbath morning

Monica, Ovidu, Dad, Vicky and Kandace

     My sister Tara spent the night and said that he was pretty restless all night and was concerned with all the noises and who was coming and going. Its been a little entertaining listening to his paranoia and hallucinations due to the medication. He is about protecting his chicks....concern that everyone is out to get his clan. I keep telling him that its their job to keep an eye on him and us. He has only got up once so far today and it was only for about 30min. He just couldn't seem to get comfortable in the chair. His goofy grand kids are coming in 2 at a time to give him kisses and tell him that they love him which is so encouraging to him. Our Dad is a true fighter. We had more guest arrive this morning to give their hugs and kissed to dad and moral support to the rest of us (Ovidu, Monica and Kandace).

Day 3 (The day the Lord has made) Sabbath

What a motley crew! (Paige,Brook,Bonica,Gayla,Vicky,Bryce,Blaine,Brady,Mike) Tim was taking photo and Tara was in the hospital w/Dad and Rick had to leave for reserves this weekend but will be back.

So, it is day 3 at OHSU and we are all full of energy! Excited to go in and see DAD, AKA Grandpa, My Love and the KING.
It is a little chilled this morning but the sun is shinning brightly as you can see off the glare of my wonderful husbands head this time. Yesterday it was off my brothers head....bald is in you know!!!
Our experiences thus far has been wonderful here at OHSU, the staff/physicians/ancillary staff have been so accommodating to our large,loud and loving group. They let all of us go in last night just to say good bye and the proud look on dad's face was worth any scolding. We have been very blessed with ICU nurses like Hillary, Karen, WWU student nurse Ashley, Tracy and so far his only male nurse Kirk. They are all flexible with our need to be involved and supportive. The team approach is quite amazing, we have everything from the attendings to 1st-2nd-3rd year residents both in surgical and medical rotations and then there is the fellowship-ers. Oh yah there is also student nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists and dietitians and I'm sure I forgot a few. Bottom line is they have all been great. I'm sure that Dad and Bonica have no regrets to caming to this wonderful place.

a

Sweet Dreams

    Friday the 13th has come to an end and we are all a little sleepy. It was a GREAT day and My Dad is our TRUE HERO! He was such an amazing trooper today with all the pushy instructions and activity but never once did he frown upon us :) He stood at the bedside once this morning with PT present and then about 3:45 we helped him transfer to a chair where he sat for almost an hour....what a guy!!!!! He is doing so well with the pain too....his biggest challenge is trying to deep breath and cough. It is a little difficult considering the very large tubes coming out of both sides of his chest. My poor Dad is so concerned with what I do to help him, ie. positioning/suctioning/etc. because he says he doesn't want me to get in trouble. I reassured him that we love family members like me...hahahahah.
     By 7:15pm Dad had several of his grandchildren at his side we hugs and kisses, some not quit sure of the situation but still willing to love on him. They were all very GLAD to see him smiling and even making some silly comments. Well I'm going to sign off for now before I fall asleep on this keyboard. I will be back up and running in the am......the none weight kind of running.

Day 2 Post-Operative

Clear Skies on Day 2

     Do we really have to stop and take another picture? I'm in a hurry to see my "LOVE". We had to show you the view on day #2 from above the clouds....clear with mount Hood and Adams in the north and south distances. Sorry for the glare off my brothers head.
     We were up at 5:30 this morning to arrive before Dad was weaned off his medication to awaken from his slumber. Most of us were out like little lights by 10:30ish after a very long day yesterday. I was so frustrated to get up this morning and not be able to blog to you all :(  Between Rick and I and Viki and Bonica I think we are doing a pretty good job keeping you all up to date.

Say "CHEESE"

This picture was taken only minutes after Dad was extubated (breathing tube removed). He is being such a fighter. Does this look like a man who was just pulled through a knot hole backwards? Just prior to this picture his ventilator tubing was pulled at about 9:20am with my anticipation of him having a really bad coughing attach and gagging lots......BUT NO!!!.....he was the perfect patient and it came out slick as _______ (don't like mucous words) :)  It was so awesome to get here this morning and see his pearly blue eyes looking up at us, except that he was having a hard time telling us that his mouth was hurting.

 

Read My Lips

Apparently the vent tubing was pinching his lip, we were like naming every possible place he could be having pain and he just kept mouthing words that we couldn't figure out....finally I got it....."My mouth hurts", OF ALL PLACES THAT'S WHAT HURTS? We told him just a little longer and the tube will be gone.:) He was also able to have is arterial IV line removed which was measuring his B/P's. We only have 7 or 8 more tubes to go. The first thing he did when the vent was off was to sit straight up in bed and smile. He is now on oxygen through his nose at 4L and maintaining saturation's of 96-97% which is really good. His B/P is fairly stable and he has had a low grade fever that they are watching. The only thing right now he needs to do better is "PEE". His body has not quite decided to let go of all the fluid they pumped into him yesterday. OK, I have to go to the bathroom myself after talking about "PEEING" so I will return later with more news.

"OMW" (O MY WORD)

Home for the Night

I know! I know! Its been almost 24hrs since my last BLOG....not my doing, the blogger was down so I know I have some catching up to do. May the 12th was ONE of the longest days of our lives. Dads surgery time was a total of 12hrs and lots and lots of waiting. He arrived in the ICU unit at 8:35 and we were able to give him kisses! At least I was because the rest of the family is to short to reach over the side rails to kiss him....hahaha shorty's.



 

Look at my "LOVE"

This photo is intense but priceless. The tube in his nose is a Nasogastric tube that goes to his stomach to suction out bile and junk (official medical term..hehehe) and the large tube in his mouth is the ventilator tube that goes to his lungs to help inflate them so he can breath. All the pumps around and behind him are for different IV lines he has. The Two surgeons that talked to us yesterday (Dr Coleman and Dr Shipper) said Dad did a fantastic job. It took a little (lot) longer then they expected since he has such LARGE SHOULDERS........we all knew that...right? Actual after he returned to ICU I realized why it to so long, they were working from mid to lower abdominal area. Long ways from the esophagus area. I would show you all my inspection photos but dad might remove me from the will!

OK, so now I'm going to gain my thoughts and get back to you all soon. 

                                                                              

It's TIME

"I Pinkie swear "

      Poor dad wasn't given any type of break from the 4 of US, He was glad we finally let him take his crown off even though everyone thought it was GREAT and made them smile. Yes Dad was still all smiles at this point......making it hard for me not to burst into tears and say..."why my Dad"?  He doesn't deserve this! Bonica was willing to take the IV's and Rick was willing to take on the Surgery and Viki and I wanted to give him some of our body FAT....Dad was all for it but the OHSU team said...Sorry doesn't work that Way..hehehe.

Shake "n" my bootie

You don't see the motion of this photo but Dad was trying to shake is pants off because the "kids" were not interested in leaving his side. I can't believe how much my father reminds me of my Grandmother Thelma. I love them both soooooo much.

It's TIME!

Here is pictured two of the three anesthetist taking Dad back to OR. The pre-op team was great and very informative. After several LONG hugs we had to say good-bye...no, SEE YOU SOON!