Complications

So, my appointment got moved from Monday night to Tuesday morning. Major bummer there.

But my appointment did happen Tuesday morning. The good news is that the catheter came out and I don't have to deal with that any more.

Unfortunately, when he took the staples out, my wound opened back up. The insides are fine, it's the outter part that's not healed. The doctor says that means I have some infection in there, which doesn't surprise him with the type of surgery I had.

Meanwhile, he doesn't want to close it back up. Instead, I am changing dressings on it three times a day and I go back to see him again tomorrow.

Mom and Dad are still here, although I think we may be getting on each other's nerves slightly. Still, I appreciate their help.

Hopefully, tomorrow will make things real clear. He says he thinks I might be ok to drive again, which means I could get around on my own. I don't know about returning to work. And this wound might take up to a month to heal.

Mom and Dad had suggested I go back to their place with them since they can't keep their life on hold indefinitely. I thought it sounded fine, but the doctor doesn't like that idea at all.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens tomorrow and what he says then.

Yep, I'm still here

This has been my first time on-line since Monday. I made it through and am doing well. Just recovering slowly.

I had to be at the hospital at noon, yet I didn't go into surgery until about 4. The urchal remnent turned out to be bigger then the doctor thought it would be, so my insistion is bigger. But he got it all, and I haven't had a fever since.

It took until Thursday for me to leave the hospital, and I was on a clear liquid diet all that time. I go in Monday early evening to have the stables removed and the catheter taken out. I am so looking forward to that!

Meanwhile, I am getting a little stronger every day. Still on pain medication, although it really does help. And my appitite finally came back Friday night. I'll probably gain back all the weight I've lost. Not having that weight is the one thing I would have liked to take with me from all of this.

Meanwhile, I hope to be back at work on Wednesday. We'll just have to see how I'm feeling then.

The Latest

I didn't learn too much from my appointment on Thursday. It was all kinds of pre-op stuff. The urologist did reduce me to one anti-biotic, and it's the one that my bocy actually likes!

Of course, my fever has been higher since then and I think I've been feeling a little worse.

You know, I haven't looked forward to a Monday this much in a very long time.

Meanwhile, my white blood cell count has gone down, which is a good sign.

Mom and Dad are on their way down right now, so I don't know how much I'll be on the computer in the next week.

And I don't have to be there until noon on Monday. Makes me happy because it means we won't be rushing around like crazy Monday morning. Of course, since I can't eat after midnight, I'll also be very hungry. I can drink water until 7AM, however, which is a step in the right direction.

Let's Switch Topics

I'm feeling better today then I have for a while. Nothing else new to report, so let's play some today.

First off, I haven't visited the Back Porch for a while, so I have two weeks to catch up.

The first was brought to us by one wrong move.

Onesome: A-- whole new year is in progress and we've made it just over a month into it. Do you have any new projects started around the place or are you waiting for Spring? ...or does it already feel like Spring?
The temps are in the 80's this week. It feels like spring, and I love it. As for new projects, how about get better soon.

Twosome: dangerous-- It's a dangerous world out there on the Net some days! What are you using for Anti-Virus and/or Firewall software? ...and is it working well for you? (If not, it may be worth seeing what the gang has to say...)
I've got something and something from my provider. And if I knew about anti-virus stuff, I'd know what it was.

Threesome: Step-- right up and tell us what you have planned for the "Annual Commercial Extravaganza" this Sunday. You know, the one with the football game cut up and slid between the segments. Is it party time? Shopping? What commercials?
Spent the day in bed trying to get better. Did watch the game while watching Monk and Full House reruns.

And today's is brought to us by AOL.

Onesome--Premium - Have you paid for any access to web services? What services? What are they like?
Yes, through my phone company. And I've been happy with them.

Twosome--Web - For the free stuff on the web, what it your favorite out there? What do you find yourself looking at everyday?
I don't know. I tend to go to other people's blogs or site where you buy stuff.

Threesome--Service - What goes on in your mind when you're out and get bad service from a restaurant or store? Do you let it slide off your back like ducks do to water? Or, do you make sure the business knows your dissatisfaction?
I tend to complain but generally let it slide off my back. If it's really bad I let them know about how bad it was.

And, finally, we've got last Sunday's word association.

1. Taking sides:: Fight
2. Couples:: Love
3. Right of refusal:: Not up to Par
4. Marla:: Woman
5. Multiple:: Choice
6. Trinity:: God
7. Sneeze:: Bless you
8. Sweatpants:: Comfy
9. Steve:: Walker
10. Fabulous:: Outstanding

Moving Up the Surgery

Monday, the urologist had them take another blood sample for a white blood cell count. It was way up over last Wednesday's. So, he's decided to move up the surgery to Monday of next week.

Ironically, I feel like I've turn a corner. The last couple days I've been feeling better and the fever has been down. Still, it's obvious the anti-biotics, which run out tomorrow, aren't doing everything they are supposed to be doing.

Meanwhile, Mom and Dad are coming down this weekend to be with me for the surgery and recovery.

I am so ready for this to be all over. With the recovery time of a week, I'm looking at at least a month maybe longer off from work, most of it spent home alone. Frankly, the company is another reason I'm glad Mom and Dad are coming down this weekend.

Update

Well, everything I learned Thursday was wrong.

I have a urachal remnent. Basically, it's the tube that connects the bladder to the belly button and in most people hardens and closes. Anyway, mine didn't and has become infected.
The urologist wants me to finish the anti-biotics, go for another CAT scan in 6 weeks and see him again in 8 weeks. But I'm not sure the drugs are working.

That's the news from my end of the world. I appreciate all your prayers and good thoughts.

The Sick, Part 2

This is a sequel I certainly don't want any part of.

Tuesday, I started feeling lousy at work again. Worked all day, but took my temp as soon as I got home that night. Sure enough, I was running a fever.

Wednesday morning, I called Kaiser first thing. They got me in, even with my regular doctor. He ran some tests that came back fine, but recommended (reluctantly), a CT scan. I jumped at the chance, and went down to another location for one.

My doctor called this morning with the results. I've got a cist on my bladder. Could have been there since birth, but it's become inflamed or infected now. I also have some problems with my prostate.

So I'm back on anti-biotics and I'm seeing an urologist tomorrow morning. Further updates as I have them.