Elizabeth & Brendan

3 of the 4 drains were removed. The next one is coming out in a week.

Today is our first visit to a doctor since the hospital. Hopefully, everything is still healing nicely and the drains will be taken out.

Eli is still being the most adorable dog ever.

While I was in the hospital Alett and Hugh volunteered to take him for a few days.  This way, we didn’t have to pay for daycare, we didn’t have to worry, and Eli would be occupied by their dogs Toffee and Riley.  Alett is also a vet so we knew he would get top care.  Alett also kept us up-to-date with Eli stories which helped brighten our day.  And if you visited during the hospital stay, you saw some of these pictures.  For those of you who have not yet seen the pictures, here they are (in no particular order):

Eli and Riley – Riley is one of the most photogenic dogs and hams it up for the camera.

Eli out with the Hallawell/Mekler Clan (Hugh, Toffee and Riley)

Eli on a nice bed Alett made for him. It reminded me of the Mets which is fitting for this dog.

Eli and a co-worker of Alett. This proves he has no shame. I hear they are asking about him still. He does have a way with the ladies.

Eli out on the town and attracting a crowd.

Eli in bed at Alett’s.

More Eli stories:

Gina (aka Koumpara) came to visit and finally got to meet Eli.  Within five minutes of being here, Eli was asleep on her lap.  Then after dinner, he let her rub his belly.  He got up on the couch and showed his belly.  Gina being the easy girl that she is bought the move.  Here is Eli getting frisky with her.

There was a party at our neighbor’s house today and the kids were very excited to see Eli run in the backyard.  I heard them yelling “Hi doggie!  Hi Eli!”

Other pictures of Eli being cute while sleeping

According to US News and World Report, the Brigham is 10th in country as an overall hospital (it was 25th for treating breast cancer) and we couldn’t agree more.  Both Brendan and I were mightily impressed with the hospital.

Visitor Waiting Area: The waiting area was incredible.  Brendan had a pager/light thing (the thing you get when you are at a restaurant to let you know when your table is ready) that would alert him when a doctor called or there was new information.  They also took his name and phone number down and my actual surgeons called his cell phone to discuss what was finished and any information that could be provided.  Brendan’s fear was that he would be walking around not knowing what was going on but that was not the case.  In fact, when he went to the desk at one point to inquire abou the surgery he was told “The first incision was made at 11:02.”  The area also has free snacks, coffee, wifi, papers, and TV.

Surgeons: I have talked about my surgeons in previous posts but I cannot stress enough how much I love them.  Dr. Guo and Dr. Carter were great the morning of the surgery and during my entire stay.  Dr. Carter went out of her way to check in on me every day even on the days she was seeing patients at her Quincy office.   Both explained everything in great detail and never minded answering our questions.  More importantly, we never felt like we couldn’t ask anything of them. And as far as we know – they both did terrific work.

Nurses: I loved all of my nurses.  It was great to get to a regular room because we got to have some repeats in terms of nurses.  These people had great bedside manners and were very patient with me when I needed help getting in and out of bed.  They also were great in terms of deciding what to eat.  Those first few days I was hesitant to eat anything but they had great suggestions and made sure that I ordered my meals.  They also took great care when administering the dreaded heparin shot and I think felt bad.  The last few times the nurse knew to wake Brendan up if the shot was coming.  What I also liked is that they weren’t afraid to joke around with us because as most of you know, Brendan and I can be somewhat sarcastic at times.

Food: I had an expectation of the Brigham’s food from Larry.  He said he and his wife looked forward to the room service when they delivered their children.  So I was expecting some good stuff.  And it was good.  And you could order anything on the menu at any time of the day.  It was like a diner.  I didn’t venture into steak tips land but I loved that I could eat on my schedule and have a wide variety of options.

Accommodations: The ICU room was okay and I barely remember it.  But I do remember that the ICU is noisy.  Everyone talks at all hours of the day in the ICU.  My regular room was much quieter and was like a hotel.  And I am not joking.  We had room for a pull out chair for Brendan, a flat screen tv, mini fridge, bathroom and right outside the room was a kitchen area for our use.  The hallways were a nice carpet for when I walked around the floor.

Overall, if you need surgery – I recommend the Brigham.

Could it be that my throwing up every other day pattern is no more?  According to that schedule, I should get sick today but instead I feel fine.

One thing we did change was just waking up and taking my pain meds in the middle of the night.  I now have some bread or crackers to ensure that I am not taking the meds on empty stomach.  I don’t know if that was the issue but we have been puke free for a few days now.  Not even nauseous.  Yay!

Now we have to iron out the BM issues (minor but still an issue but I will save that conversation for another day).

A sure sign of recovery is me having a cupcake! It was from Lyndell’s North End. Red Velvet. While it is good (not as good as my wedding cupcakes or even Lil Cupcake) but still yummy.

Thanks Alett!! You truly have been a life saver these past few weeks. Cupcakes and Eli babysitting – you are a trooper.

I have four drains and I want them out. All of them. They are a hindrance to my life. I would be out and about more if I didn’t have them. I have my first follow up appointment on Tuesday and hopefully they will begin to come out. I know at least one will be taken out.

Also another milestone, I am sleeping almost fully supine. This is amazing since I am normally a stomach sleeper.

Left side is clear. Lymph node clear. Tumar size = 1.0 centimeter

Tumor Stage = T1B which the doctor said has a very good prognosis.  We still have to get other information for the overall cancer stage.

Yay!

Now we wait for a week and met the 11th with the oncologist. Hopefully, good news with treatment path.

Am I destined to throw up every other day??

At least I feel better now…

We got tickets!! I am so excited. What is Hockey East at Fenway you ask? Well one week after the 2010 Hockey Classic, BC will play BU in a men’s hockey match.  Outside.  At Fenway.  How cool is that?  It will be interesting to see how the rink fits in the stadium, what the sight lines are like, what the weather is like and how these kids handle the elements.

I still want to go to the Winter Classic at Fenway but it is not a necessity since I am going to the BC/BU game. It is going to be awesome.