Guest Post: Notes from the Ward

I think the gold star treatment he has been getting on the spinal ward must be pretty good, because Pops seems to be really comfortable in his surroundings. He calls his nurses by name and they are barely out the door before he can tell you where they live, their educational background and other personal tidbits about them. I shouldn't be surprised; he is a people person after all.

Tonight when I walked into the room I saw my good old dad smiling back at me. He no longer looked like a vulnerable patient, although I know he still needs lots of help reaching for things. That leads me to the two "grabbers" he has tucked in close beside him that he uses to pull up his blankets and pick up things. They look like formidable weapons!

I asked him if he had any message for this guest post and he smiled and said, "write that in the beginning the concern was all about spines and nerves and now it is all about bladders and bowels!".

And on that note, I'll close by saying how proud I am of his progress. He is weeks ahead of where he expected to be and is a superstar yet again. Nite Pops. Don't let the bed bugs bite!

Lyn

Hey - no hanky panky: he can't bend, reach or lift for 3 months!

Guest Post: Upwardly Mobile

What a difference a day makes! Yesterday pain was like a cling-on pal who couldn't take hint. Pain was his bedfellow and it was evident in his restlessness, in the creases lining his face and most of all his eyes. He put up a good front but he was clearly agitated. I felt a little downhearted when I left him meditating the pain away.

But today it is a whole different story. Mama T tipped me off that he was in a better space with the pain under control and being up and around a little more. I popped in after work to see it for myself and I am glad I did. He was beaming, sitting up in his bed (30 degrees) having just polished off a delicious (yup - his words) chicken dinner. I scanned the tray and it was seriously licked clean! He chatted happily with Mama T by his bedside and boasted about the fact that he had gone 5 hours without pain meds. He actually did some stairs today and had lots of walking in. Mama T and I think he looks taller ... they say this operation can do that to a person (take note all you shorties out there).

Best of all (thankfully) he finally had a shower!

His talk is all about his recovery and his plans to make it as speedy and successful as possible. When I kissed his stubbly cheek (he hasn't shaved) and walked away, I couldn't help but marvel at his progress and fortitude, and what a difference a day can make.

Lyn

Guest Post: Walk On

When we stepped off the elevator first thing this morning, there he was ... leaning heavily on a very tall walker, and walking (albeit tentatively). Standing tall, sitting pretty and clutching the button for his morphine pump, his eyes showed the breadth and depth of his pain. But he swears that it is exactly what he expected. No complaints; just grit and determination.

The road in front of you will get easier with each passing day. Walk on Pops!

Lyn

Guest Post: Onward and Upward

So after months of delay, dismay, regrouping, strategizing and preparation -- he underwent his surgery and came through the other side in fine form. He was rocking an off the shoulder, paisley cotton hospital-issued gown with bright blue paper slippers. I hear they are all the rage this year. His hair was swept in an up-do, off his face to accentuate volume and texture.

He emerged from his procedure humbled blue paper slippers will do that for you, relieved, elated, focused - and of course, in great pain. The surgeon assured the congregated clan that the procedure was a success and that he will be on the mend and vertical in no time.

Dad is grateful that the surgery is behind him and is focused intently on his recovery. He outlined the next steps as he saw them and assured us that he would be up when we went to see him tomorrow.

As we left him to his self administering morphine pump and visions of a long night ahead he has no illusions, his sweet good night and smile were like elixirs for worried hearts.

Good night Pops. Rest well, for tomorrow. the real work begins. Onward and upward and that will probably involve stairs!

Lyn

Just Fine - Guest Post

This post is brought to you by Polar Bear's daughter Lyn. His surgery has to wait for another day; seems he is anaphylactic to penicillin or perhaps the anesthetic. But no worries, they figured it out and he is recovering nicely. He is disappointed that his procedure is deferred however his feisty spirit prevailed! Not to be silenced, he motioned for paper and pen and immediately started scrawling out directives, questions and feelings. We knew he was going to be okay when he wrote "how is my hair? His forehead wrinkled and his eyes squinted and I saw a flicker of his sense of humour ...  I drew him a picture, and I think I saw a hint of smile. Just a little.

So it will be a recovery of a different nature and we all shared his disappointment. He was so prepared and focused on getting to the other side of the operation to start his recovery. But that will have to wait for another day. I know he would want me to let you know that right now, tonight, he is just fine.

Christmas Update - Guest Post

I'm Lyn - Polar Bear's eldest daughter, and I've hijacked his blog for a guest post. He is back in his wintry Canadian home for the holidays ... just down the street from me and I can attest to the fact that he is suffering from severe, deep withdrawal from blogging and Internet access. He was surprised that he missed it so much. That didn't stop him from writing though ... he has been accumulating loads of material and been busy finessing the stories for his book.

As we chatted today he said how much he felt he was missing from the online community. I was updating him on some of our regular blogger buddies - Lakeviewer's post on crab season, Carrie's departure to Germany to see her young military fiancee ...

In a few days he will take the flight back to Florida and I will be back to following this blog to stay up to date with him - his ideas, worries, and memories. But right now I have him up close and personal and I don't want to waste a minute.

So stay tuned; the Polar Bear will be back in the den by Thursday! I know he would want me to extend his best for the holiday season.

Now - a return to your regular programming ...