T-97 hours & counting

[Doug]

Dear friends,
Just wanted to let you know we are close, about 97 hours and 15 minutes if I was counting, but fortunately I'm not. We will be out of communication range for the next few days as my wife and I decided to take a trip to the lovely Oregon coast for our last week end before surgery.

Surgery is Tuesday, my wife is determined to bring her lap-top and Email everyone from the hospital as to how I am doing.

Never having been an Internet person until I found VR.com, we have only had dial up, service at home. However, on the 20th of this month we are getting high speed Internet at home so we can join more often than the early morning hours before work. I have some "paying forward" that I am very much looking very forward to.

Being able to come to VR.com in the mornings even if we didn't officially log on has really helped us thru the wait. Thank you to everyone who has answered any question from anyone. We have learned a lot from all of you in the last 4 weeks and that has brought a lot of comfort to us. We feel your support and truly feel blessed to be part of such a wonderful group of amazing people.

God bless you all.

 

[Phyllis]

So happy that you and your wife are taking this weekend to enjoy yourselves! Have a wonderful weekend, a succesful and uneventful surgery and we will be here waiting to read your wive's updates on Tuesday. Best wishes, Doug.

 

[Mary]

Doug,
What a brilliant idea to go away for the week-end!
There is no better way to spend the last week-end before surgery.
We'll be looking forward to your wife's report on your successful surgery, and we will be waiting for you to get back here and fill us in on all the details.
God bless and Godspeed.
Mary

 

[Marguerite53]

Great idea, Doug! So glad you are going to the coast. Nothing like the wind and sea to cleanse the soul. Good choice!

You'll have a wonderful experience at Good Sam. The ICU nurses are amazing (I only remember one, but my husband just keeps raving about how hard they worked and how incredibly caring they were). My favorite nurses on the cardiac ward were Nan and Lily......maybe we'll have some in common!

It will be lovely if your wife can find the time to report to us. It really helps because we're all family, here, and we like to know how things are going!! I didn't find the hospital food to be too repulsive, but she can always wander over to NW "trendy-third" and sneak you in some goodies!! (Kornblatt's makes great sandwiches!!)

These next 97 hours will go quickly. You'll be a new man in no time! Thanks so much for wanting to "pay it forward"......... that's what makes this place so wonderful ......the continued willingness to share and support.

Have a lovely weekend! Please say you're going to Mo's for a bowl of chowder!! YUM!!

Marguerite

 

[Der Biermeister]

We'll be rooting for you on Tuesday Doug! You won't wake until Wed, early AM -- so everyone else has to worry and fret while you sleep the good sleep.
Then you wake up and and every hour that goes by, gets better. Milestones are when you get the Foley pulled, and get the drain tubes out.

Hey -- and as long as we are talking about food - let me give some of my experiences. Not saying you should follow my lead, but ...............

Point #1 -- I found most of the hospital food to be awful -- totally bland and things like English muffins were barely cooked - yuk (give me some burnt around the edges, right?).

Point #2 -- I also found that THEY (and you know who THEY are) monitor your food intake. Almost like they are keeping score and if you don't eat enough, YOU AIN'T GOING HOME BROTHER .

Point #3 -- Because I became ambulatory REAL QUICK LIKE, I found myself -- on more than one occasion -- taking a lot of the crappy food and flushing it down the toilet, and then sneaking my plate back on to the tray. (felt like I was back in High School or something)

This admission on my part is probably going to garner some "you bad boy" from some here, BUT .... I survived, and I beat their system, and I got outta there ON TIME and home to some good food.

Again -- I advise anyone NOT to follow my lead (unless of course you want to -- heh heh heh)

 

[lisa jeanne]

Best wishes

Best wishes

Hi Doug and family,

Lots of thoughts to you on Tuesday...my big day is on Tuesday too!! Like my mom says you are gonna feel so much better Lisa!!! People are here to support you. Here from you soon and hope you have a nice relaxing weekend.

Lisa My surgery is June 20!

 

[HarryG]

You'll do fine!

You'll do fine!

Doug make sure your other half keeps us posted and before you know it this will all behind you, recovery is a day at a time issue. Don't push it, just go with it! Have a great weekend together and remember to keep us posted!

 

[Praline]

Good luck..

Good luck..

..on Tuesday. I will be thinking about you. You will soon be on this side of the mountain.
Enjoy your weekend. I think it is a great idea.

 

[gijanet]

Enjoy your weekend..........

Enjoy your weekend..........

and we will be praying for you on Tuesday and waiting for that thumb's up report from your wife. Many hugs. J.

 

[Georgia]

Best of luck, Doug - we'll be anxiously awaiting word. Boring words, please.

You're in my prayers.

 

[KMS]

Sending good thoughts

Sending good thoughts

Doug --

We'll be looking forward to your wife's post when it's possible. In the meantime, breathe deeply, relax and enjoy this beautiful weekend.

Warm regards,

Kristine

 

[Kristy]

Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way for a successful surgery and full recovery. They say all you have to do is show up and they will do the rest -- I found that to be true!

Take care,
Kristy

 

[JAMES W]

Have a Safe Journey..Doug

Have a Safe Journey..Doug

Doug,

Just wanted to add my thoughts and prayers for a successful climb up the Mtn....We'll be awaiting a positive report on Tuesday...Be safe