welcome back, welcome back, welcome back

Before I actually start this post I wanted you to know I actually wrote this yesterday and apparently instead of posting, I deleted. You will understand why as you read on.

I am so sorry that I have been gone for a short while. I see that all of you have been kept in the loop by Cat. She has done such a good job that either I am going to have some more surgery or she will start her own blog. I, on the other hand, have been out of the loop and one might say that I have been downright loopy. Dilaudid is an answer to a number of problems. It certainly is an answer to a pain issue. But it also kept me from having a decent sense of the present time. It is a very powerful and effective tool for pain management and escaping the woes of reality. I have now decreased the number of times I press the "magic button" significantly. The first few post op days were thinking I was totally aware, hearing a few things around me that were not actually being said by people that did really exist. Do not worry, I had a decent amount of prep work for this type of scenario back in '67. Now I have to admit, so those of you that have children cover their eyes, that I did smoke marijuana but unlike Bill I did inhale. Many of you know this but I went to bed that evening and woke up the next morning and it was 1972. So I come to the table prepared. The nature of my hallucinations and the way it effects me has changed a little. I found myself turning my head to answer a question that was asked and no one was there to speak to. This and a few other kept up for a few days. They are now under control and I worry that the good doctor is going to take away my dilaudid privileges soon. It is a necessary but cruel thing to do. All (did you catch that I said all) of the various tube delivering goods into and out of my body have been removed with the exception of my cloride fluids and the pain killer. Rumor has it that few of the bad guys have lingered around so at the end of the day I get a couple of extra pills and shots to track them down and put them into custody. It usually means a "death sentence for them".

Cat has been sleeping in the room for the last few nites and all the cards and flowers get put out so it has become a homey little spot. Even the nurses enjoy visiting for a while.

Ry left yesterday to head back to LaLa land. I was so happy to have him hear. It is amazing to experience how much he has grown since first going to LA. Ken, L'il Charm, Ashley and Melanie went to Alyse's for a Seder night before last and Ry led the ceremony. I was told by all present that he did an excellent job. His presence here was very much felt by me and many others. I could not have ask for better caregivers than Cat and Ash. I think they are planning to form a business called "The Catash Sistas" and will be taking their caregiving talents on the road. Having both of my children close has been very meaningful.

Hey Tim, I got you a souvenir from my hospital experience and am sending it to you along with a few coloring book pages from my hospital activities book to you and the kids.

Gotta stop now cuz dinner is round the bin and I have been upgraded from broths to purees. Take care.