Earl is in the house...

I picked him up about 1 today and he has gone around the block twice, eaten 2 small meals and had visitors from the Newbeetle Club visits and bring fun gifts..I'llI take photos tomorrow. Thanks again Sue, Paula ( who came from San Diego!) and Frank. You guys really made a great day even greater.....

update....

Earl just called and they are letting him come home today now....yipeeeeeeeee!


This is the first day in ICU....just to give you a hint of what was going on ...and this is not all the tubes either....

...the big day

....went really well! By the time I got there he was unleashed and unleaking. He wasn't even in his bed or dragging around his Christmas tree. He was freeeee...He had already been up to the "Lido deck" to work on his tan. The removal of the tube went well and he had eaten his first "food" aka clear liquids....but they were like prime rib to him. In the afternoon we had a dietitian tell us the rules but they are very livable...in fact everyone should do some of these....."eat slowly"....etc. Jim Knight stopped by for a visit and everyone admired the fragrant flowers from Dr Arnette ( Jill's boss) and crew and from ATK. They had said he would be coming home tomorrow but the doctor who did the lower surgery wanted him to stay another day and eat thicker food while under their care. So it looks like it will be Saturday. I have Madison tomorrow and LE and Jon are heading home so I might not make it down. But I will be there with bells on Sat.

Earl has left the building...

well not really . He went up on the roof. There is an outdoor patio. He shaved...except for the little Hitler mustache near the tube...so that felt good he said. He also got a new roommate that was what they call "confused"....Earl said he was "certifiable". Any way they moved another "confused" in and moved Earl to another room. That was really nice. They did not have to do that but we are so glad they did....he was really bothering Earl. So tomorrow they take out the tube and he thinks they will do the "leak" test! He calls it the "big day"....So not much more to report for today unless you wanted to hear the insane stories the roommate was telling....

I think he's milkin' it....

...not really..... It makes me so happy to see him improving everyday. He walked for about 45 min. today without a nurse. He rolled his own trolly of bags etc. He planned to do more laps after we left. Mike Levy stopped by with a cool book and a visit. Roommate 2 left today. It was so sunny at sunrise he put his sunglasses on. One of his doctors came in and was quite amused....They say the annoying hose will be removed Thursday. That will be great! He is on the higher octane food-in-a-tube now. He is in really good spirits and is starting to smell food and want some. He is so thankful for all the good wishes and thoughts....me too.

Yet another good day....

Earl did some walking and got a sponge bath. Maddie and I got there about 3:45 and Jill and Mike stopped by. I beat Earl at cribbage and went home. He is doing so well. They are talking about doing his "leak" test soon. Then he can try eating with his new esophagus. Even with the view he is getting bored I think.

Another good day....

Earl had another tube removed....he kinda misses this one. Now he has to pee in a jug.....He got his window spot now. We played cards and pretended we were on the balcony of a cruise ship at the dock at Puerto Rico. He can see the ocean from his bed. No roommate yet so it was pretty quiet. The family came by and we got a hand of cribbage in. Earl found a race to watch so I went home early to watch the Oscars. Terry had so magazines and goodies for him and Newbug buddy Jerry sent him a coool shirt....something to do and something to look forward to....very thoughtful.

Tomorrow we are taking LE's car to the dealership. I drove it home last night on high beams because she had no low beams!!! Everybody loved me on the pass.... Then we will head for SB with Madison. Auntie LE is her new best friend. We plan to give her a bath so LE can witness the Shamu experience... we will be in the splash zone. It is so nice to have her and Jon here.

....more Earl

Today the Jon and girls (baby too) visited Earl which made him happy. He is off all pain meds now. He has a cough. Which is good for his lungs but a little annoying to him. Tomorrow his roommate goes home and he is hoping to move to the window spot....where he was suppose to go. He did 3 laps around the ward and was going to ask to do more tonight with the night nurse, Hileo....Madonna is the assistant nurse tonight. Everyone is so great at that hospital. They all appreciated the goodies Susan gave us to hand out from her Solvang Bakery. Thanks Susan! They started his feeding tube today and gave him 2 units of blood to build him back up. He is doing really well. The only bummer is they are saying he will have to do more chemo. He was not to happy to hear that. But I am sure they wouldn't do it if they didn't think it was needed.

I caught up on my sleep last night and I am just so happy to see how well Earl is doing. It is nice to have Jon and LE here. Jill has been off so I don't have to worry about Madison. Colleen took me out to lunch (well not out...the hospital cafeteria) yesterday so I got to catch up with her and the outside world's going-ons. So I am fine. Thanks everyone for your kind words and concern.

Earl Update.....

He is improving rapidly. Today he is down to 4 tubes, he walked, is out of ICU and in a room and feels pretty good. He has no pain.

Thanks everyone for the messages. It will be great to share them with him....

Happy happy day!!!!

Earl's surgery went very well and he is resting comfortably in ICU for the night. He has every tube imaginable coming out of such imaginative places. But he is alert and in no pain at the moment. They even plan to get him up tomorrow and possibly move him out of the ICU. The tumor remnants were removed and the lymph-nods looked good according to Dr. West. The surgery was a little over 4 hours but took another 7 hours before they had a room available. I was the last person in the surgery waiting room.....I could not see him until he was in a room.....

Thank you everyone for your prayers and healing thoughts. We are so touched and overwhelmed by the outpour of love by all. I know I don't have everyone's email here...I have been up since 3AM....so pass the word. I will keep updating on my blog.

A busy week

Mary and I ran away and went to Santa Barbara to see "Coraline" in 3D. We loved it! If you plan to go be sure and check out the web site coraline.com....lots of good info. There is a woman that hand knit all the tiny clothes and even a pair of gloves. We stopped at Spoon for some gelato after the show.
On Wed. Mary and I threw ourselves a birthday party at the ART CLINIC with the CALL girls. We had asked for sox and we got some great ones. We did a little project and had some lunch and Crushcake cupcakes. It was a fun day. Go to Mary's blog for more pic...I forgot my camera....

On Fri. we celebrated the start of our third year at the ART CLINIC. We had so many nice people that dropped by to wish us well. I am so lucky to have so many great friends and supporter. I appreciate you all.....
These are some birthday gals that joined the Christmas group. They are now a posse.
I taught the third painting class on Saturday and today Jill and I plan to get a pedicure while Earl takes Madison for a stroll. Right now everyone is napping.....I.m barely awake myself.

Happy Valentine's Day

Here is my favorite Valentine this year...she is on the edge of crabiness but still sweet.

These are some of my fave hearts. I have others I love but could not find them... including a new adorable one from Colleen..if you know my house you know it could be right in front of me and I can't see it....

I will give an Earl update soon but he is sooo much stronger this week and eating more on his own. We are confident he is ready for the big day on Thursday.....LE and Jon are coming to help out with Madison. So we are in good shape.

super bowl fave

Grease monkeys