Last night, with help of Scott Schneider, walked a fair distance and one of the nice floor nurses caught up with us and taped the back of my gown shut (so yes, I was that guy). We then broke out of MD Anderson, ditched the chicken nugget quarantined suits into the trash, ran past the nurse station, took the "e" elevators downstairs and headed out the door. Walked around outside for a while (what happened to the cool air??), came back, snuck back into the room and went to sleep. I woke up freezing at about 4:15am and Scott turned up the heat (it must have been a dream because I would never have requested a warmer room). I had verbal diarrhea from 4:15 to about 6am; no one slept ( I was reminded that if I could transfer my verbal diarrhea to a lower part of my anatomy I might get out of here a little sooner) so I shut up and slept till 8am. Watched a little news & Scott bought me a couple of t-shirts from the gift shop, so I could sport a new look today. I also worked with occupational medicine today, learning to dress and groom (obviously they recognized I needed help in this area). All and all a great morning!
Milestone accomplishments today: sat up with out brace and made restroom run (this is truly important) especially during sleepovers (just ask chris, scott, daryl, travis or nicola). Left the facility again with the help of Scott and took a long refreshing walk outside (amazing how great that felt just to be walking around). I think I’m done with the walker at this point! Spoke with original admitting nurse and she was very complementary regarding my progress (very kind words). I'm getting a visit from the kids today: Jess, Emma, Ethan, Jake, & Rhiannon (really looking forward to seeing them, I realize how much of a homebody I really am...I can't imagine that I've been away for as long as I have. I'm even looking forward to taking out the trash!!)
There are a lot of sick and suffering people up here and I hope and pray that each of them have the same type of support that my family has received from each and every one of you. Again, the prayers and well-wishes have been a blessing and are working! This has been so eye-opening for me and I realize how much more work is needed for these patients and this disease. I can't wait to get back out there and do my part. I have a role to play in all of this and I am thankful that God helped me survive the accident and has given me the opportunity to take on this challenge.
Well a nice surprise Nic and the kids just arrived (and Gareth, Pam, Jake & Rhiannon) so I am stopping now!!! one last thing though: you may gather that I have a lot to talk about and I do (I guess about a month of pinned up new experiences is starting to overflow). I will be using my new source of chattiness to try and talk everyone to death up here so they will be forced to discharge me ASAP!
Keep praying, have faith, and we'll beat this thing together,David
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David...what I can say but "WOW". You are amazing!!! I know it seems like you have been down for a very long time, but considering where you have come from and all you have gone through, I think you are blazing forward and moving like gangbusters! I am so proud of you and know that with your amazing attitude, your strong faith, and all the prayers going to the Big Man Upstairs on your behalf, you are going to beat this and help so many others along the way. We cannot wait until you are able to come home and the guys are ready for the next poker night whenever you are! Try to keep the "jail breaks" to a minimum...we don't want them to have any reason not to release you.
ReplyDeleteKeep the Faith!!
Robyn, Seth, and the kids
YOU ARE AWESOME! And I will be right there beside you to help in anyway!In fact I just met another melanoma survivor today at my sons football game. We will all have to walk that victory lap together in April! I am teaching tomorrow, I'll try to get Ethan to send you a message!Please let me knnow what I can do for you and Nicola. Sounds like you have wonderful, fun friends!
ReplyDeleteKeep knockin' their socks off so we can kick mela-sucka-noma!
Love, Tricia
No doubt, my friend. The mind has an amazing way of healing the body and spirit. In fact, I'm convinced it's more than half the battle.
ReplyDeleteYou KNOW I'm always up for a power chat--even in wee hours of the morning--spread the love.
I'll see you when you're home.
Look at you go. Now you need to set a goal to get your golf handicap below 35. Great news!
ReplyDeletePerrons