Fantasy comes true: after my latest doctor visit, we eat Milano's Pizza

Yesterday afternoon, Margie drove me into town to see Dr. O'Malley again. If you could look at my tummy, you would see an ugly, frightening mess... big scabs circled by rings of dried blood where the poker-chip brace buttons used to be, a long, vertical, suture slicing through my tummy and belly button area that looks decent enough at the top with its staple scarring, but remains wide open in the middle - a good two and half inches long and inch and a half wide and raw flesh in the gap. Doc says this is going to take one to two more months to heal.

Even then, a bulging hernia will be left behind, thanks to the different times the suture opened. He will remove that hernia, but given all I have been through wants to wait another 6 months before he does.

But he says that the place in my large intestine where my right colon was cut out is pretty much healed, and I can eat anything. 

Remember how, during that three-day long period of clear liquids and fasting prior to my surgery, I fantasized about eating Milano's pizza? We decided that this was the day to do it. Margie and I went to Milano's to order and pick up the pizza, then we took it to Melanie's house, where the family would gather to it.

Melanie provided the salad.

Diamond was most interested, but could have none. You understand that I am still shooting everything with my iPhone and there are some things you can't control with an iPhone, like shutter speed.

I have been wrestling with the idea of graduating from the iPhone to the pocket camera that Zun Lee gave me. For quite awhile, the iPhone was the only camera that was practical if I were going to blog, as I just did not have the strength and energy to use a computer and download into it and process pictures, but I did have the energy - just barely - to take a photo with my iPhone and then post it straight from the phone.

I would have graduated already, but I keep thinking about palette. Someday, I hope to closely edit all the pictures I will have taken during this process and compile some kind of story - mostly because I am so angry about the US health insurance system and the backwards thinking "leaders" doing all their best to stand in the way of reform and to reverse the reform already in place, thus to insure that ever more people will face the kind of financially ruinous challenge I face... if they are fortunate enough to get someone to care for them at all.

So, having started in the iPhone, maybe for the sake of palette, I should complete it in the iPhone. It means a lot of missed shots and more blurry photos that imply physical weakness. Blur and physical weakness... lots of missed shots... seems kind of appropriate.

As we ate, the folks on the other side of the table suddenly became very interested in something behind me. What could it be?

It was a bird! 

Kalib finished his dinner under the table.

Then Margie drove me home. Margie has driving me to every single place I have gone since my surgery June 29. I think it is about time for me to start driving again. 

Comments

[kathy in KY]

you're absolutely right -- the US healthcare system is a mess. Obamacare may be coming too late for your current crisis, and it may not be the perfect solution, but it's sure a quantum leap above the GOP idea of "don't get sick." Hang in there -- and advise your friends and neighbors and readers to vote Democratic this fall so that we can at least go forward rather than back. Good luck with your continued recovery!

[fromthediagonal]

So you think it is about time to start driving again? Think again, Please!

Margie has been doing a great job,strenuous as it may be, but if you still have an open spot, let her continue to do what she does well. Seat belts or not, if you are driving and have to do an emergency stop, guess where that wound will hit? Yeah, Right, the steering wheel!

So, do yourself and your family a favor and leave the driving to your wife, and by-the-way, Margie, though I do not know you, Keep Going!
The good wishes always seem to go to the patient and the caregiver seems to be somewhat left out.
This is my concern for you and my compliment to you, woman, for probably stowing your own concerns deep down so that you can be the supporting Strong One in your husband's time of great distress. There are those of us in your audience who are helpers who "have been there" and we support you, even if it is fromthediagonal

[Fiona]

I'm so glad you finally got to enjoy your celebratory pizza feast, Bill. I hope it was everything you dreamed of!

[Nancy]

Leave the driving to Margie for the next month until the healing has completed.

Agree completely that something more must be done for healthcare for all of our people! Obama has started that, and so much more can be done -- but the Republicans want to dismantle everything and go back to healthcare for the wealthy. They will always be able to afford everything they need, it is those of us at the middle to the bottom who will suffer the most under the Republican's ideas for our future healthcare.

I also worry for my children as they become the elderly. Social Security and Medicare have given the elderly a safety net the Republicans now want to dismantle. I know how grateful I was to be old enough to finally get Medicare -- healthcare that could no longer be taken away from me. I want the same for ALL Americans! The Republicans want to take it all away from us and give the proceeds to the rich among us. It's a travesty.

Be good and take good care (and do the things that aid Margie's caregiver responsibilities while being a good and humble care receiver! Sometimes just a grateful heart is wonderful.) I was a caregiver too for many years and know that caregivers often forget to take good care of themselves as well.

Sending lots and lots of cyberhugs to Margie for taking such good care of you.

[Logbook - Wasilla - Beyond]

First, the pizza was everything I dreamed of. I want some more.

I do hope I can put my article on my thoughts about health care and politics in light of my experience before the election. It will be a challenge and probably won't make any difference at all, but when I look at these congressional leaders with their excellent health insurance, courtesy my tax dollars, righteously damning all efforts to help others achieve what they have, I want to state my mind. I hope I do.

As to the driving... you are both right, of course and for major trips like to Anchorage I will let Margie drive. However, there have been many days I have wanted to go out for coffee, but haven't, and there have been other days Margie has not wanted to go out for coffee but has, so on such days I am going to drive to Metro, 2.5 miles away - and also in the same situation, to Abby's 1.5 miles away. I know - one can get in a bad accident the moment they leave their driveway, but I will be careful and take just the smallest risk, as every action comes with risk, anyway.