Things we have learned

Good morning loyal followers
John is having a repeat Cat scan to determine if the fluid in his abdomen has dissipated and whether or not they will remove the drain or leave it in for a few more days. Either way, he will be going home either today or Friday. He will continue with a daily one hour IV antibiotic infusion through next Wednesday to make certain all infections are gone.

I find I have not totally lost my sense of humor but I have:
1. Completed my analysis of traffic on I-95 at Old St Augustine Rd. ( the view from John's corner room)
2.Replenished the tea bag supply in the 5th floor Family Retreat room by "borrowing "some from the plentiful supply on the 4th floor retreat.
3. Made friends with others using the numerous family-friendly facilities here at Baptist South
4. Decorated the window sill in John's room with my lovely birthday cards.
5. Used all of our non-AT&T cell phone minutes until early August, but you may use our home number after Saturday.
6. Learned how dependent I have become on my phone and the ability to email and iMessage, search the web for medical info and restaurant menus as well as to take photos and actually TALK.

Thanks to all of you for your love, prayers, and best wishes. We could not have done this without you.

"You can post this on my Facebook page" -JSH

John has spoken, and is quoted above. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately for his children, John does not have a Facebook page. But he has advised that I may update his faithful readers with what's happening here at Baptist South.

(I would like to reiterate that we are not Baptist. In fact, I have only been inside a Baptist church just once and it was for a wedding. As the minister was reciting the vows and he announced that the woman was turned over to her husband's ownership from that of her father, a hand comes flying out from down the aisle to band across my waist, similar to how your mother always did in the car when she had to slam on the brakes. It was in fact my mother, reaching out to restrain me from standing up to object to the bald-faced misogyny of the church. And yes, I was already in motion. She caught me just in time. And to add insult to injury, the reception was dry. There was some sherbet punch nonsense. But, I did enjoy the Swedish meatballs. They would have been better with some Pinot Grigio, though.)

We are beginning our 7th full day (Even God rested on the 7th day!) in the hospital. They have finally located the source of the infection and have found the world's most expensive antibiotics to defeat it. Thankfully my college education is paid for, or I'd have still been working part-time at Chick-Fil-A to pay it off. (They make a mean chicken sandwich, so we're gonna not talk about their social policies. And also, I've never worked in food service. Y'all can chuckle quietly to yourselves while imagining me telling customers to "Have a Blessed Day!")

Word on the street is that John is getting out tomorrow. But, despite being optimistic, we'll believe it when we see it. We were attempting to reconstruct our time here (I'm on my 2nd bottle of wine (OK, OK, 3rd...) and 2nd six pack of Diet Coke since arriving on Thursday. Those are the markers I use to tell time.)

The highlight of our stay here has been the move from 514 to 513, skillfully planned and executed by Trink with a precision and dexterity I have not seen outside of a crowded Outback bar at Happy Hour while angling for a table at which to enjoy one's two for one drink specials. But let me tell you, if you ever end up in Baptist South, make sure you end up in 513. This room is MUCH nicer and infinitely more spacious. If I danced, which the Baptists also frown on, I'd have enough spare space in this room for a jig.

Thanks to all our readers, and we hope this post, while a little low on actual medical information, is high on religious education and alcohol reverence.

Trink's birthday is tomorrow and we'd include a photo of her, but she's still working on her selfie skill with her iPhone. $300 phone and she is still learning it. Yesterday I taught her that a double space autocorrects to a period and how to zoom in while taking a picture. This is my gift to her. That and a Southern Caramel cake I made last night that will send you into sugar shock, but you'll go with a smile on your face. Luckily my father does not have diabetes or I would have had some explaining to do to the hospital staff...

PS: My mother has watched me type this and laugh all the while. So you can rest assured she did not vet it before I posted and probably disapproves of 90% of the content.

Just when I thought I was out...They pull me back in.

John wasn't feeling 100% today so Dr. Cobb had him come into the office. Upon examination, he determined that JSH is dehydrated and anemic so sent him back to the hospital for admission.

They'll fill him full of fluids and blood-type stuff (I know, I know. My "General Hospital" medical education is showing) and hold on to him for a few days to get him back up to par.

I'd go down and check in on the 'rents in person, but the airlines have done lost their minds and have jacked up the price of a RT ticket from DC to Jax to $720. I mean, really. I like Jax and all, but $720? I could go to Europe for that. And maybe even in Premium Economy, where the wine is always free. And plentiful. Kind of like it is here on my sofa, from whence this post originated.

Trink thanks you for all your positive thoughts during this latest hospitalization. Just a reminder, as always, no visitors so he can heal quickly and get out again.

I know she'd rather they spend her birthday (it's the 17th if you haven't bought a card yet. Which I haven't. Need to get on that. It'll be there on time, Mom. I promise! J-buy a card! And a gift!) at home with JSH and Tralee. I don't imagine hospital cake is anything to write home about. But Cami Cakes are a different story...YUM. (Here's a link - they ship, FYI, and her favorite is Lemon Drop, in case you're stumped for a gift idea: http://camicakes.com/)

And in closing, today's post title comes from The Godfather III. This quote is the only good thing to come out of this film as far as I'm concerned. I am still devastated that when Winona Ryder dropped out of the film to be in Edward Scissorhands, they thought Sofia Coppola was a worthy substitute to step in as Michael's daughter. Thankfully Sofia left acting shortly thereafter and realized directing was something she actually had a talent for, unlike being on camera...

(Written by Lisa, not Trink, which if you don't know by now...well...yeah.)

Playing the "Get out of hospital free card"

Good morning
We are waiting for the discharge instructions as both his surgeon and his nephrologist have given him the green light. So now, nurse Trink and our tuxedo kitty, Tralee, will take over John's .care at home (assisted 2x week by home health).
Thank you again for your continued concern, love, and support .
John, Trink, John Jr, and Lisa

On the move

Hi
Tuesday was busy with John's being disconnected from all IV lines and his subsequent move to a regular  room from progressive care. So he moved up in the world to the 5th floor and will be moving on home possibly as early as Thursday! A great feature of this hospital is that all of the rooms are private! This floor is so quiet, plus he has a room with a view.

His doctors are extremely pleased with his progress. John wants to be a little stronger prior to his going home. He is surprised how much effort it takes to walk the halls or take a shower. To quote a line from one of his favorite movies, What About Bob!, "BABY STEPS!"

I read him all of your emails (and jokes) which we both appreciate. Keep them coming.
Trink

Bring on the food

Dr Cobb , AKA the early bird, came in all cheerful at 6:20 this morning. I must say, it is so much better than waiting all day for a doctor. He advanced John's diet today, so John ate a banana and a few bites of dry toast which he tolerated fine.

Know the PT will be here soon and John will be up walking. He even had therapy yesterday,which apparently is rare on Sunday. She had him marching in place and I lost count when he neared 100 reps.

 He has resumed his interest in the news and is currently reading the Sunday NY Times after watching a little morning news and some Wimbledon.

Keep those emails coming, I read every one to John, although you may email him too :JSHollett@aol.com as he is reading on his phone and iPad .

Free again

6-23
Good news yesterday and action today.
Dr Cobb came in on his weekend off to tell us that the pathology news was all good: the lymph nodes were clear and the carcinoma, while high-grade, had remained "in situ" in the bladder so was non- invasive.

Today the NG tube was removed so his nose feels better already, and he was allowed his first sip of apple juice. (I was thinking champagne when he said "clear liquids", but don't think that's what the Dr had in mind.)

He's not in any hurry for the epidural line to be removed as he has remained pain-free since the surgery started 4 days ago. However, his pain management drug of choice has been ordered PCA so he will be able to push the button as needed.

Only complaint from John is his hiccups! As with his previous abdominal surgeries, he gets the hiccups for hours at a time and it wears him out. Now that the tube is out, we'll see if that remedies the situation. Also, he now has a tight seal with his B-pap machine, so is resting peacefully now.
We tried ALL of the homemade suggestions for getting rid of hiccups several years ago.

We hope you are enjoying a great summer weekend, wherever you may be. It has been a God-send for me having J and Lisa here for support and levity!

Thanks to all of you for your emails, cards, phone messages, humor, positive thoughts, support, and prayers.
Trink