August 7-14 -- "Arnie's Week"

Hi All,

It has been a week since Arnie was released from the hospital (a week since I have updated you all) and what a week it has been.

Wednesday afternoon when we arrived home, Arnie was faced with his biggest challenge, how to get himself upstairs and into bed. It was quite the long walk up to our bedroom but in the end, where there's a will, there was a way. I am sure it made him question why we live in a 2 story house. On the flip side, walking up and down the stairs has provided Arnie with the much needed exercise the Dr.'s recommend. Arnie's very own, built in stair master. Who could imagine that's really what we were building 28 years ago! Of course, he is walking outside as well, marking the distance by passing one more house each way as he goes.

As challenges go, figuring out the whole food angle (what to eat and how often to eat and in between what to drink) has been interesting. It is a process, that is all I can say. A lot of trial and ERROR!  Good news though, he seems to have found a combination of foods that has allowed him to maintain his weight!  The goal now is to gain weight. A work in progress.

The most exciting news of the last week is that Arnie had his 61 staples removed today. Arnie's concern when he first realized that he had staples closing his incision was how are they going to take them out. He asked a nurse who promptly answered " with a staple remover of course!" Arnie proceeded to tell her that when he removes staples he usually tears the paper. Well, I can tell you no paper or skin was torn in the staple removing process! The nurse from carefor was so calm and so patient. It was a little funny (from my perspective of course) watching the nurse try to follow the rise and fall of his chest and stomach in her quest to grab on to a staple. Compared to the staple removing, the dressing change on his drain was a piece of cake.

Stay tuned for the drain removal. And the fun just keeps on happening.

Liz