That's a big 10-4, OF! Use of wireless mouse and keyboard in operation.

I had thought the surgeon we believe to be one of the finest in the nation had his birthday and was gone on vacation and that one of his staff did the operation. Evidently, that wasn't true. The resident was about ready to suggest some X-Lax and send us home (a possibly fatal choice). Our surgeon arrived and while he was scheduled to leave on vacation on Friday, he took over and ordered more and more tests because the symptoms were just not right for the pain I was in. (At one point, I guess I said, "Lord, if you can't help with the pain, please bring me home!" I'm here and I take that to be His response.) Our surgeon in fact determined an intestinal blockage was present although he didn't know why. He did the operation and determined the intestine had become "kinked" and corrected that and much of the pain seemed to leave. While there was still more he wanted to do, he determined to wait until morning and review everything before he left on his birthday trip. He asked for them to page my wife for a meeting to discuss where we were at. When they made the page, the unbelieveable happened. They paged my brother's wife. He had died with a ventilator and my wife said she went cold when she corrected them. But, when she saw our surgeon, she was instantly reliieved. His warm and confident smile told her that things were well under control. He explained what he intended to do in the morning before he left on the trip and assured her that the bowel obstruction had been removed and that I was out of any significant or immediate danger. The fun wasn't over, though. Our doctor went home but was called when a cough or bowel movement caused the intestine to poke through the acknowledged temporary solution (that had to be disgusting). Our surgeon was immediately back in (he had left me in a deep 'medically induced coma' so that the trauma of beginning a new set of procedures wouldn't have to be paid again. He corrected the intestinal dislodgement, reviewed all the data, completed final surgical operations and closed me up. He met with my wife and explained to her all that had happened. The rest is history. Since surgery, I've had zero pain ... ZERO! I had a touch of nausea induced by an oxygen treatment (intended to avoid lung infections and possible problems). I woke up cheerful all through my time in the intensive care area (except for the clutch that did the oxygen treatments). When ICU was requested to find any patients who they felt could be moved to a private room, they said we have one but the decision to move is his, not ours. They asked me and I felt good enough that I told them if they were satisfied I was ready that I would gladly give up my ICU bed to help others more in need. When I can drive again, I now owe the nurses and "Patient Care Technicians" three boxes of chocolates as my way of saying, "Thank you and God bless you," to these talented and caring people." I was moved that night to the private room.

The first night in the private room was difficult. Not medically, but because I simply can't sleep in hospital beds! In ICU, I rested in a high back recliner. When I mentioned this the next day to my assigned RN, she said hang on a minute and left the room to return in five minutes with a high backed recliner! She was a saint!

They got me up and walking very quickly and soon I was roaming the surgical private rooms area (escorted by one of the Personal Care Technicians who toted "Old Betsy," the Christmas tree containing the intravenous fluids I was on (they, the "stands supporting the fluids, aree somewhat unstable) and, I explained given my injuries, I wanted a health care professional to be with mein case I became tired or unstable in my walks. The doctors agreed and soon I was greeted and was being greeted by the hospital staff including housekeeping personnel. A lady from one of the adjacent areas passed by my room later the second day and exclaimed, "There's Mr. Smiliey. Take care hun!" Many, many, many friends and family showed up to cheer me on and when a lady brought through medical students from the local college, I agreed to let them take blood pressures and listen to my heart functioning. Local clergy who I've gotten to know stopped by on a regular basis to keep up my spirtual trust. On the final day, a delightful young Bradley University student who is in the last year of her training worked with my RN to help prepare me for discharge. She was excellent and when they removed the plug directly into the heart, a bit of blood started gushing. The RN took over showing the slight technique change on pressure application from the student. When that part was finished, I commented to the RN that I thought the PCT (student) had done a marvelous and very professional job ... and she had.

I love to tease (No kidding?) ... and when the PCT went through a checklist of things she asked if I had hearing aids ... I said, "What?" She said, "Hearing aids." I asked, "What?" Then she figured out out I was teasing and laughed. I told her, I just had to get even for her stepping on my toes which she had accidently done earlier (no harm at all).

I can tell you in all honesty, I simply cannot believe there are finer RN's or Patient Care Technicians anywhere. I met dozens and dozens and many came by the room the morning of my discharge to wish me well. Three more boxes of chocolates are pending!

The support from people locally was extraordinary. Just as warmly felt was the love and caring of our Pixie family. I'm sorry it took a bit to get the news to IowaMan so he could spread the word, but my wife couldn't find the address list for Pixies and doesn't use my computer really at all ... so I had to tell her where to get IowaMan's phone listing. We then asked him to convey to you what was happening.

I still have some healing to go through, but, with friends like you and by the grace of God, I guess I'll be around a bit longer.

((((((((((((( HUGS ))))))))))))))))))

If I get more information when I meet with our surgeon sometime soon, I'll let you know. Who knows, I may suddenly learn more that I simply didn't know.