Winter Wonderland

We got 10 inches of snow today in Neenah. There is about 20 inches on the ground now. It doesn't make for easy strolling outside especially when the temp is single digits. But this is Wisconsin and it's December.

I continue to slowly improve. My energy is a little better. Have not taken afternoon naps the last few days so that is a positive sign. Started to use the exercise equipment in the basement but I won't be setting any records in the near future. The bills have begun to come in from the Univ. of Michigan. I think they want to build a new wing on the hospital with what they are charging. Thank God for the great insurance we have from Laurie's school district.

Laurie's mom (Flossie) will be having her Melanoma removed from her nose on Friday. Her spirits are good and she is handling the process fairly well. It is outpatient surgery. Any extra prayers that ar lying around would be appreciated.

Hope this finds all that are still tuning in to the blog in good health and good spirits. Regards, Bob

Homefront

Tomorrow, Thursday, will be four weeks post opereration. Things are going fine. I am a little surprised at the slow pace of the recovery. I do a few things and am fairly tired after the fact.

Had my first appointment with my cardiologist on Tuesday since we've been back in town. All is well. I can not drive for another month. The incision pain is tolerable but I must be careful no to do too much to strain the breast bone. I bought an iphone and have had the time to do a lot of fun things with it. Have downloaded music and pictures from our computer which is a snap. The apps for the phone are simply amazing.

Laurie's cold is on the run and she is sounding better. Laurie took her Mom to another doctor's appointment today. Her Mom (Flossie) has her procedure to remove the melonoma next week.

We have another 5 inches of snow today. The neighbors and Laurie have been keeping up with the shoveling and snow blowing. I'm out of the snow removal business this season. A big thank you to the neighbors for helping out. That's all the news from Neenah for the moment. Thanks to all for the support. Bob

Upset

It's the morning of the ND/USC game day. I smell upset. ND has the Trojans right where they want them. Maybe there is too much blood going through my new aorta and heart valve and I'm a little high. I don't think so. There's an upset in the making in Southern California. Go Irish beat the Trojans and some one get rid of that goofy Travler (trojan horse) and Tommy Trojan (sounds like a kids toy). I also know what they can do with Tommy's sword.

Lucky and Thankful

Hi from Neenah. Laurie and I arrived here on Thanksgiving Day but not without some major setbacks since the last post. I was doing fine until last Sunday. We were out at the mall and doing little things around town. Sunday afternoon I began to feel poorly and started to run a slight fever. Sunday evening it continued to rise and I did not sleep at all on Sunday night feeling worse by the hour. Early Monday morning my fever was 102. Laurie called the doc's number given to us and the number of the visiting nurses that had been seeing me on several occasions at the hotel. We called each number multiple times over the course of Monday morning and did not get a call back. We were within minutes of going to the ER or calling 911 for help and finally received calls from both the doc's office and the visiting nurses after nearly five hours. Fortunately, about the same time the fever began to subside slightly. It was about as sick as I have ever been in my life.

We continued to try to get the fever down with lots of fluids and cold compresses and it worked. The nurse visited us on Monday afternoon and said my lungs sounded pretty good and the doc's office set an appointment for first thing on Tuesday to go through some tests to see what was wrong. My lungs checked out and all the tests did not indicate anything. However, it put our departure date on Wednesday AM in jeopardy.

We saw the doc on Wednesday AM and said we were discharged. Laurie and I ran out of the hospital before anyone could change their mind. We split the trip home into two four hour parts, stopping in Flossmoor on Wednesday evening. We got to Neenah on Thursday afternoon in time for a great meal at the Rickman's. We then went home and continued to realize how lucky and blessed we are. "Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home."

Thanks to everyone for all the support and prayers. We will periodically provide an update to the blog over the next few weeks. We are due back in Ann Arbor at the end of January for some tests and a doctor's visit. Everything is functioning well and I am feeling better each day. Since we arrived back home, Laurie has developed a bad sounding cold. Time for the patient to give some TLC. We are both exhausted from the ordeal. It' been over a month since we left for Ann Arbor. We are so thankful.

Quiet in Ann Arbor

Hi to all. Our weekend has been low key. We have been to the mall several times to walk and have some meals. We suffered through the ND/Syracuse game on TV. My cardiologist from home, a Syracuse undergrad, turned down our seats for that game. He didn't want to see Syracuse get trounced. Oh well, we could upset USC next week. I may be having narcotic flashbacks.

Our focus is on leaving here after our doc appointment on Wednesday morning. It's about a four hour drive to Flossmoor where we will spend the night before heading to Neenah on Thurday another four hour drive. That's all for now. Regards, Bob

Mundane can be a good thing

Today's the first day without the narcotic pain meds. I feel better now that I'm off them. The pain is tolerable.

We spent a few hours at one of the local malls today. Laurie was in her element much more than me. One of the stores had live piano music which was very enjoyable and we took in all of the Christmas decorations. We had lunch at a Max and Erma's which was a big day for us. Both of us got back to the hotel and took a nap. That's the life of heart surgery recovery and care giver. I'm sure everyone is on the edge their seat taken in with the excitement of this day but actually considering surgery was just two weeks ago the day was pretty cool. Thanks again for all the prayers and notes of encouragement. So many of the emails, phone calls and comments have put a smile on our face. We are really looking forward to heading home on Wednesday. Regards to all, Bob

SNOW KIDDING?

Thursday night update

Hello again!
The surgeon's PA called late morning and pretty much told us to get our rear in gear. Bob should have been getting dressed every morning. We should have been getting out of the motel and walking around in the cold, fresh air. She even told me to take Bob to the mall. Why didn't anyone tell us this before? She also suggested that Bob cut down on the narcotics and switch to Motrin.

So up we got and drove to Paneras for lunch in the fluffly snowflakes. We will save the mall for another day. Dealing with the pain will probably take a little longer but he now finds that he probably needed a hand walking around here because, "I was stoned." He is doing pretty well now with the Motrin and Tylenol.

Nancy Lewandowski's friend, Natalie, stopped by this afternoon with lots of good advice and support as she has experience with heart issues. I wish there was a course to take with all this information, at the beginning of the process.

Major News Story in Ann Arbor

ANTHRAX SCARE AT UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Michigan football practice was delayed nearly two hours late this morning after a player reported finding an unknown white powdery substance on the practice field. Head coach Rich Rodriguez immediately suspended practice while police and federal agents were called to investigate. After a complete analysis, FBI forensic experts determined that the white substance, unknown to the players, was the goal line. Practice was resumed this afternoon after special agents decided the team was unlikely to encounter the substance again.

Maybe PJs Are The Way to Go

Two weeks ago Bob was in the OR so his taking a nap now at the Hawthorn Suites is a major improvement. For the first time in 2 weeks, he got dressed in something other than PJs this am, which we thought was an improvement.

Unfortunately, within approx. an hour he had broken out in sweats and had pain in his right arm. His pulse and temp were still reasonable and the nurse hasn't called back so I guess it wasn't too serious. It's a little scary for us.

We hope that Bob will feel up to taking a little ride in the next day or so in order to build up a little stamina for the long ride home, which we hope will begin next Wed.

Take care, Laurie

What Would You Do.....?

if I sang out of tune? I'm starting to drive Bob goofy as things settle down and I'm humming. A new nurse came by today and said that she came because the original nurse was quite concerned about Bob after her 2 visits. But the new nurse thought that Bob looked pretty good today and indeed Bob feels a slight improvement. We're happy with "baby steps" as Bob calls them.

My mom went to a different local dermatologist and he feels comfortable incising Mom's melanoma after Bob and I get home, most importantly Mom is comfortable with the new arrangements.

Bob and I are motivated to improve as we can see the trip home in sight, hopefully a week from today. Cross your fingers and please continue the prayers.

Thank you!

uneventful

Hi!
What a relief an uneventful day can be! Our biggest issue was Bob was usually hot but I was cold, we can handle that.

Bless my mom's heart, even after I spent hours researching treatment and doctors for melanoma, she is most comfortable with her own plan. Her apartment building manager has kindly agreed to drive Mom to Manitowoc 3 times next week to a dermatologist that is licensed in the Mohs method. I feel really odd not being there but I've not figured out how to be in more than one place at a time, though I spent many of those teaching years working at just that.

Bob spent more of the day napping than ever before. We are hoping it is in preparation for his visit to the surgeon a week from tomorrow. Mentally, we are really ready to go home. Physically, Bob walked down 2 flights of stairs today but there was no doubt that we had to take the elevator back up to the room. He leans on me for support as we walk down the halls, good thing Bob isn't over 6'tall.

Take care everyone. Hasta luego

Laurie's Mom

Unfortunately in all this, Laurie's Mom who live just a mile from us was diagnosed with a malignant melanoma. Laurie had taken her to the dermatologist for a biopsy of a lesion on her nose before we left for Ann Arbor. Laurie's Mom (Flossie) found out last week but did not want to burden us with the news. Flossie was urged by friends to tell us and she did yesterday. So Laurie has been on the phone non-stop to get the details and how the issue will be addressed.

Right now a friend will take Flossie to appointments over three days next week to Manitowoc, WI, where they will perform the Moe Procedure. Any spare prayers are appreciated.

I am doing better but writing this is making me tired so I will sign off. I have good days and fair days. It's not a straight line recovery. Thanks for all the emails and good thoughts. Bob

Turfectomy Scheduled

Evening update requested by Bob:
It has been called to our attention by Dr. Tom Lewandowski, Bob's cardiologist, that a piece of The University of Michigan, "Big House" turf was implanted into Bob's chest during his heart operation. Currently, Bob is on the phone to schedule a turfectomy before he begins singing "Hail to the Victors".

Lions and Panthers, not Bears, Oh My!

Of course, I refer to football. Bob and I were looking forward to the Packer/Bear game but we're only 40 miles from Detroit so we'll see the Lions instead. What excitement!

Bob has been very sleepy the past two days but as I told him, he was without decent sleep all those days in the hospital. I, on the other hand, slept through the alarms last night so Bob had to get his own pain meds. Sorry to say I was shirking my duties.

It's been snowing here all day. At some times, the flakes were so big and heavy that we could literally see nothing else. It's also sticking. We're glad that we don't have to drive.

Adios,
Laurie

Cheer Cheer for Old Notre Dame

Happy Saturday, All

  Inspite of a last minute scare that got Bob up from his nap, ND held on to win the football game this afternoon. Now we can watch Wisconsin football in the warmth of our little sitting area as it's rains and snows here in Ann Arbor.

  Speaking of scares, Bob's vision  went blury last night for several minutes. It got both of our attentions. I called the number given us and the surgeon himself called back. He talked to Bob and they decided that a trip to the hospital was not necessary. But we are on alert now.

  An in-home nurse came by yesterday afternoon to take out Bob's stitches from his chest tubes incisions. One incision is healing fine but the other needed a steri-stip and bandage, probably more info than you needed. Most everything the nurse checked was fine except his oxygen level was a little low. Bob has to work on that. A nurse will be back on Monday to monitor the patient.

  We set the alarm at night for every 3 hours so Bob's pain doesn't get the best of us. He has to wake me up in the morning so he doesn't do too much. 

  We're doing OK , hope that you are too.

A Stitch in Time

Hi, All!

  I'm sorry that I haven't checked in lately. Actually the stitch(es)  is (are) in Bob's abdomen where the chest tubes were. His major incision was glued shut, no stiches  or staples to remove. We're thankful even for small favors.

  Bob is making slow progress, walking the halls, eating better, pooping, and doing little upper body exercises.

  Nurses from the surgeon's office have called to check on him too. They all confirm that we will be here in Ann Arbor until Wed. 11/26, when we will see Dr. Deeb to be officially released from the area. We never thought that we would be gone for 5 weeks.

  Thank you all and a special thanks to Erin and the Rieth Family for taking care of Rilla. We couldn't bear the thought of her in a kennel for all this time.

So Thankful For So Much

This is Bob with Laurie at my side and we are so pleased to be "still ticking."  Won't go into more detail on the surgery but we dodged a big bullet.  I'm still very tired but each day I literally see progress on a regular basis.  

Thanks for all the emails, calls, prayers, and help with the "stuff" we had to leave behind for friends and Erin very quickly.  Laurie has been inspirational to me and the best care giver ever.  I will be back on the blog when I have more energy in the coming days.  It was lots of fun for me to read the blog and comments today.   Back to all of you soon.

I'm Coming Home, I've Done My Time

The nurses were happy to discharge Bob  today to the Hawthorn Suites in Ann Arbor. After that, the day was filled with shivering and major pain. There was a screw up with his pain med and so we got off schedule. I'm happy to report that after a shower, I got soaked trying to help, he is feeling much better. Now let's pray for sleep.

Bob in now on 12 medications, which seems unbelievable. We also didn't realize that he would gain weight, around 13 lbs. of supposed water weight. I hope that it's not catching.

I am sad to report that the surgeon continues to insist on 2 more weeks here in Ann Arbor. We won't make it home for Thanksgiving but maybe we'll be able to spend the Holiday with Bob's family in Chicago. We really miss Rilla and home but in the scheme of things, getting well is certainly the most important thing.

Well, I have to get up at 11:00pm and 3:00am for Bob's pain meds so I'm going to hit the sack now myself. 

jackpot

Hi, all!

  Last night about 11:00, Bob was moved into a double ROOM. It's a good story about his new roomate, he can tell it.

  He was looking pretty good today and we took lots of walks. If the fever doesn't spike and the heart rate remains good, he'll be coming back to the motel tomorrow.

  As the hopital pros say that he'll need 24-7 care, I left the hospital early this evening and went to the grocery store to load up. Did you know that after heart surgery it's not uncommon to gain 10 lbs.? We didn't.

  We definitely have to remain in Ann Arbor for 2 wks, according to the surgeon, so I'm not sure that we'll make it home for Thanksgiving. I'm sad about that.

  We really miss our dog and friends and family, not necessaryily in that order.

Bob will wear an ND hat as he leaves the hospital.

update

Good morning!

  Just a quick update as I head over to the hospital this am. The computer didn't work here last night at the hotel.

  Bob was feeling so much better yesterday, especially in the am. The PT and a woman that is something like a liason between patient and MD told him that they would clear him to be discharged. Unfortunately, they  said this without speaking with any docs and really got his hopes up. 

  Bob has been running a low grade fever  and they did identify  the infection in his sputum. When the surgeon came in, he said there was no way Bob could be released when he is running a fever so we'll try for a Wed. release. BIG DISAPPOINTMENT! He also lobbied hard for a room but none are available.

  Well, I've got to get ready and over to the hospital. Thanks for hanging in there with us.

Keep the Prayers Coming

Hi!

  Just a brief note as I just returned from the hospital, it's 9:45pm, and I'm tired. I apologize in advance as I left my notes in Bob's room and I'm not sure where spell check is on this site.

  As I said, please keep the prayers coming as Bob had a very irregular heartbeat this am, though they say that 1 in 4 patients in his category do, but now he is on 2 more medications.

  This evening he developed a fever of 101 so now they are doing cultures.

  Bob is not a happy camper, and it has nothing to do with football, the "space" that he occupies in the hospital is small, dreary, and EXTREMELY noisy. He is on a list for other accomadations but the nurses aren't optimistic about the change.

  Bob did take a spin in the halls 4 times today which was good.

The surgeon had originally said 5-7 days in the hospital and I originally was optimistic that our stubborn Bob would be out after 5 days but now I even hoping for 7, maybe it's just been a long couple of days.

  Thanks everybody.

GO HAWKS!!!

Hi everyone it is Erin (as if you couldn't tell from the title of the blog!)


First and foremost....did you see that game yesterday??? I mean, that was SO amazing!!! I was at work and they had the Iowa game on and I was jumping up and down and yelling in the news room.

Alright, now to more important matters I suppose...


I talked to Laurie today and she said that this morning dad experienced an arrhythmia and it scared him a lot. However, the doctor said that those are pretty common and they adjusted his medicine so it doesn't happen again hopefully. Apparently there is a sac around your heart that prevents everyone else from not feeling arrythmias, but dad's was damaged during the surgery so that is why he can feel them now. OK, so I was a journalism major not a biology major, that is about as technical an answer as I can give...sorry!!


Besides having his chest ripped open a couple days ago, the other biggest complaint coming from my dad is the new "room" that he is occupying. Laurie describes it as a space and not really a room. He is sharing it with three other patients and there are only curtains dividing them so he can hear their TV's/conversations etc. So, his first request was ear plugs but they are not completely solving the problem.


However, Laurie said that she could see one of the other woman's scar from her surgery and Laurie said that dad's scar looks much better than this other woman's scar. I guess we will take whatever silver lining we can during this process...haha!


Also, they are going to try and get him to walk four times today. He does have a little fluid in his lungs and they aren't getting enough oxygen in them either. But he is really tired so walking is a pretty daunting task at the moment.


Alright, I think that is all I was supposed to update you all on! Talk to you soon!


Love,
Erin

the answer is blowing in the wind

Who was to know that passing gas is so important? It's 10:30am Sat. and I am so impressed with Bob's progress. The surgeon has been in and Bob can be moved to the "step-down" floor later today. We've been spoiled by all the attention. They removed his chest tubes and foley and later today will take out his pacemaker leads.

They removed the dressing from the incision and it looks pretty good, about 15" inches but it's not very red. I think that that's good.

He continues to be weary and in some pain but they are managing that much better. He hasn't been up walking yet but he will some time today. He says that he feels like he's been hit by a 2x4. Does anyone know how that feels?

Well, it's Sat. and so I'm hoping that a good football game will distract him a little but not tax his heart.

Take care, everyone. Thanks again for everything!  laurie

Should I Go or Should I Stay?

Well that was interesting!  2 nurses came in packed up all Bob's supplies, threw out his ice water and apple juice, and said he was being transfered to the step down unit. I thought, "Oh, great! Bob is really doing well."

Then Dr. Deeb, Bob's surgeon appeared, told his PA to turn off Bob's pacemaker, talked to Bob very briefly about the surgery, and left.

Then the nurses came back and said Bob was staying in the ICU. The head resident was the one that decided that Bob could be moved but the big cheese put the cabash to that. I think that it is good that he stays here for another 24 hrs. as without the pacemaker, there is an obvious difference in his EKG and he says that he feels little flutters now.

His main problem continues to be lack of sleep, although he is taking a nap right now. They have removed the main line from the caratid but that meant creating a new line in his needle-free right arm which required a specialist as 2 different people have said that his skin is as tough as shoe leather.

Bob woke up and wants me to add that it's good that we got here. He just heard from Dr Deeb this afternoon how serious his condition really was.

I wrote a long, descriptive entry this am that didn't go through so if I've missed anything that you're curious about, write back.

Thank you all for all the positive thoughts and prayers. We have truly been blessed with special friends and family and compassionate and extremely capable health care professionals.

Love, Bob and Laurie

Making Progress...

Laurie tried blogging last night but for some reason her post isn't showing up. SO I am filling in once again...

Overall, the surgery was a success! The aortic valve was replaced and the aneurysm in the ascending aorta was repaired.

Dad's first night post-surgery was according to Laurie not very pleasant. He was in a lot of pain and therefore didn't get very much sleep. However, today the pain is more manageable and he is in better spirits.

Laurie also said they sat him up in a chair today because sitting up prevents pneumonia. They also have a physical therapist come in 2 or 3 times a day to help him do some arm exercises.

I was able to talk to him briefly again and he is weak but in high spirits.

He is slowly but surely making progress...

Laurie said she will try blogging later from the motel with more details.

Love,
Erin

He speaks!

Hello everyone!! It is Erin once again...

First of all, Laurie wanted me to apologize to everyone for not blogging sooner. However, after my dad woke up (yes, he is awake!) he wanted Laurie by his side and holding his hand...very sweet! 

Laurie said that he awoke within 10 minutes of her being in the room. After the breathing tube was removed, it was hard for him to speak at first but, in true dad fashion, he wasted no time to begin reciting Grantland Rice's famous words about the Four Horsemen:

"Outlined against a blue October sky..."

Yes, those were his first words, I am not making this up. Maybe not the best choice of words at a Univ. of Michigan hospital, but he is on a lot of meds at the moment and not thinking very clearly. 

Anyway, Laurie said he looked much better than she expected and she is really impressed with all the staff that is tending to him.

I was able to speak to him very, very briefly and he described it as "No walk in the park" but that he was also "surprising himself" as to how well he was doing. Dad has always been a modest man. 

As of right now, that is all the information that has been given to me. 

A quick recap:

- He is awake and in pain, but doing well

- Doesn't have any energy

- He still lives/breathes ND football

Laurie will either blog later tonight or in the morning with all the specific details and hopefully she will get around to making phone calls. But she is exhausted too so be patient everyone! The good news is he is OK :)

I really believe he is doing this well because we are all thinking about him and praying for him! 

Talk to you soon!

Love,

Erin

Surgery Update

Hi everyone this is Erin!

Laurie called me at 1:24 p.m.

I don't have time to write scholarly prose so I will just relay the facts that Laurie just gave me:

After being "obnoxious" (that is Laurie's words) for most of the morning, the desk clerk finally motioned Laurie over and handed her the phone with a doctor on the other end. He told her that Dad (Bob) was off the heart/lung machine and that they were about to close him up (ick).

The doctor also said the surgeon will be down within the hour to give her the full briefing. Laurie will be taking notes so I'm sure we will all receive a full detailed analysis of the procedure!

So far so good...

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers for my dad!

Love,
Erin

"still waiting after all these years"

It's 12:30 EST and there is no news. I figure that is OK. I've gone one floor down to eat a granola bar and buy 3 cups of tea. I can drink here on the 4th floor but can't eat, which is OK.

There is a beautiful atrium here. I figure I'll bring Bob for a wheel chair ride down there when he is able. I'm coveting some of the huge leaves there for a bird bath that Bob and I have been wanting. Great trivia , huh?!
I'm going a little batty, so what else is new?

Kids and siblings, I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything. I plan on taking notes.

Take care everyone and thanks for the thoughts and prayers.

am of surgery

Hi, everyone!

  Finally the morning arrived. We got to the hospital at 6:00am and Bob went right back to be prepped. Then he laid in that prep for 2 hours with no sedation, even though we requested some.

  Finally 3 anesthesiologists came in at 8:00. All were very personable, asked a few questions, and mercifully took him back to put in the  arterial lines and other stuff. Fortunately as they wheeled him out of the cubicle, I saw the chief anes. administer some Verset(SP?), the drug that makes you forget. They told me to expect the operation to take 6hrs. - 45min. +. 

  Once again I have been told to expect a multitude of tubes when I next see Bob in the ICU and that he will still be intibated. Can you imagine Bob not being able to talk?

  I brought lots of things to do, including this computer which can only be used in some parts of the hospital. Bob specically asked me to continue this blog and to say thank you so much for all the prayers and positive vibes from our friends and family.

Surgery is expected to start a 8AM EST.  The surgeon said: " it will take 6 hours or however long it takes."  I have a 95% of a sucessful surgery.  They are also replacing part (approx 6 inches) of my ascending aorta about the diameter of a garden hose.  Thanks again for all the prayers and good wishes.  Laurie and/or Erin will be taking over from here.  

pre-surgery - Wednesday

Laurie and I were in Saline, MI yesterday.  Learned a little about this 200 year old town near Ann Arbor.  We ate in an Acadian seafood restaurant for lunch and it was terrific.  We are getting ready for surgery tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I am not sleeping well but that's not a surprise.  Again, thanks for all the prayers and best wishes.  My cuz Diane says her doc friend says don't say good luck but good outcome.  Hope my surgeon doesn't need luck.  But I'll take luck too.

pre-surgery - Tuesday

Surgery will be at 8 AM on Thursday.  Hope the doc gets a good night sleep.  I had more tests yesterday (Monday) and we are looking around the area today.  

Thanks for all the nice notes and prayers.  I will not be able to respond to each individually -- my apologies.  We found out that there is no wireless in the surgery family waiting area.  Laurie intends to call our daughter Erin and update her.  She will then post to the blog.  Erin just graduated from Univ. of Iowa Journalism School.  We are expecting scholarly prose and insightful descriptions.

We are out the door for a little sightseeing.  Bye for now.

Hi, this is Bob.  Laurie and I are in Ann Arbor, MI awaiting my aortic valve surgery.  My surgery is set for Thursaday, Nov. 6th. in the AM at the University of Michigan Hospital Medical Center which has an entire facility called the Cardiovascular Center in a brand new building.  The CV Center is the size of a large hospital.   The doc that is doing the surgery (Dr. Michael Deeb) has the largest aortic valve replacement practice in the US -- so that's why we are here.  

Suddendly, maize and blue have become my favorite colors.  And I'm keeping my ND affiliation a secret for obvious reasons.  I feel so sorry for Michigan football this year -- such a bad losing season could never happen to ND or Wisconsin.

Laurie will blog on the progress as she can while the operation is in progress.  She will communicate the progress during recovery as well.  If anyone cares to respond to the Laurie's blog feel free to do so.  It will probably be a good diversion for her.   I'll eventually get a chance to look at the posts when I'm feeling better.

We are told that I will be in intesive care around three days and in the hopital around 5-7 days in total.  We will need to stay around Ann Arbor for an addition 3-7 days before coming home. Both Laurie and I are new at blogging so things may be a little goofy at first but I'm confident we will get the hang of it.

We are doing things around the area to stay busy.  Ann Arbor has some great places to eat.  Hope this info finds everyone well and without any medical problems!  We will keep you posted  -- so to speak.  Bob