Home out of Hospital

I came home from the hospital on Thursday morning the 27th at about 11AM. only three days after the surgery amazing and what a relief! They say the first couple of days after surgery are the worst and that was absolutely the case. On Tuesday when Steve Hampton was at the hospital for a visit things were not very good and at that time I was thinking that the surgery may have been a mistake. I had a bad reaction to morphine and the worst imaginable headache, could not move to get in a comfortable position,was not able to sleep and time just seemed to stand still. Then what a difference the next morning Wednesday the 26th the physiotherapist Debbie, one of the nicest and most patient people I have ever met, came in and she was able to get me out of bed and with the assistance of a walker I was off on my first walk down the hallway. When I got back I was able to sit up in a chair. After a few minutes of rest and the help from the nurses I was able to use the walker to get to the bathroom and wash up and brush my teeth, an amazing feeling. Now I had the motivation and I was determined that I was going get better and get out of here as quickly as possible.
When Sandi came back to the hospital that morning she was shocked to see me sitting in a chair. I know when her and Berrit left the night before they were both emotionally upset because I was in such bad shape. So it was great to see the relief on her face when she came in and saw that I had improved so dramatically. The only way I could describe the change from day to day was that I felt 2000 times better. Sandi and I had a coffee and a piece of toast the first food I had in days and boy did it taste great.
The rest of the day saw continued improvement as I went for numerous walks around the hospital and not once did I go back to bed. At about 1Pm with my improvement the nurses then were able to remove the catheter and IV's which gave me freedom to move around with out much help.
I also got to talk to Kirsten, she is at UBC in Vancouver, on the cell phone and told her how much better I was feeling and of course she was extremely relived as well. I know she wanted to be here for my operation but she is very busy with her school work. Kirsten I know you were always thinking about me and I know it was hard not being here, the same feelings mom and I have about you when we can't always be there for you when things aren't going well.
When Berrit finished at the University she came back to the hospital and we went for dinner in the cafeteria by wheelchair. Later Berrit's boyfriend Joe came to the hospital for a visit and we all sat in the lounge and talked. Everyone left the hospital in much better spirit than the day before.
When DR. Hu and his Resident came to visit that day they were also amazed at my improvement and said that I could be out in a couple of days. The next morning when they came back to see me again I was even better and they said I could go home that day if Debbie, the Physio gave me the OK. In order to get this approval I had to show that I was capable of using a cane not a walker and able to safely maneuver up and down stairs. With a little help from Debbie and some practice I was able to handle this reasonably well. So after some paperwork for my release and they made a wooden cane for me to use it was time to go home.
Here at home I have finally been able to have my first shower, what a great feeling to get the hospital smell off, and get dressed, with a lot of help from Sandi. Also yesterday Friday the 28th I got out for my first walk outside not very far just down to the mailbox and back maybe 200 yards, in a world class time of 20 minutes, but it felt wonderful. I still have to use my cane for walking so I look like Mister Peanut out for a walk. That's all for now I will try and post again in the next day or two.