8th Day After Surgery

A lot of things happened today, the eighth day after my surgery.

I received the dreaded PICC line, which I was fearing after a failed attempt yesterday to install it in my room. It is just a large scale IV in a large upper arm vein, but the technicians yesterday kept running into resistance and had to stop (due to my screaming). The doctor in the procedure room with special tracking equipment (and a large injection of narcotic in me) had no trouble.

Dr. Farnell gave his final in person report on my progress, as he will be away for the next two weeks: the drain from the incision has been almost dry for a day and none of the fluids reveal any leakage from the pancreas--so the drain came out--yeah; although my bowel is still not moving much, he said that is normal and will return to activity soon; he gave orders for the catheter to be removed--yeah!

Also, Dr. Renata Maricevich finished this quarter of her rotation with Dr. Farnell's group and will be leaving. I am sad about that.

Many visitors today, including Matt Tschimperle, Jim Griesheimer and his son, John, Christine Gowdy-Jaehnig, Darla, and Yvonne Knoepfel. Darla introduced me to a couple who are here from Peoria area, Bernie and Kay; Kay is recovering from a similar, but less extensive pancreas surgery. She is also cancer free.

Thanks to all who are supporting me, caring for me, putting up with me, etc.