Good To Be Home!

Thank you everyone for your kind comments and emails and cards and letters.  I appreciate it so much.  After six days in the hospital, I am home again.  

Japanese doctors like their patients to stay in the hospital a long time, and Japanese patients expect to stay in the hospital a long time. Before surgery, the surgeon told me two to three weeks in the hospital. I was pretty sure I wouldn't be staying so long.  

I checked into the hospital Sunday afternoon, with no food after lunch, no water after 9 pm.  Monday morning was surgery. I vomited most of Monday and Tuesday. With nothing to eat, it was just a clear liquid vomit, but the muscles used to vomit are the muscles cut into with the surgery, so it was painful.  I think it was the pain medicine in the IV drip making me nauseous because when that was turned off, I felt much better.  I started walking Tuesday morning after x-rays and blood tests.   Thursday I got to start eating again - soft bland foods, but after no food for four days, it was delicious!  Friday I asked the surgeon when I could go home.  He said Monday.  I said how about Saturday?  In the end, Saturday it was!  I'm feeling good, no pain, but still a little tired.  I didn't get to sleep much at the hospital but am feeling better in my own bed.  

I'll have more to say about this experience in the days ahead.  Thanks again for all your well wishes.