12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (best viewed on family blog)
FR TONY UPDATE

12 DAYS OF CHRISTMAS (not particularly in the correct order- grin)

7th DAY OF CHRISTMAS (New Year's Eve)

Tony and I stayed up to ring in the new year. As our Abbey was planning on joining the maddening crowd in Time Square, I'd hoped for a quick glance of her on the TV, as CNN was panning the crowds during their broadcast. No luck. Midnight came, the ball dropped, a quick kiss, then off to the land of nod.

FR TONY UPDATE

Well, the New Year is here and we wish you all a peace filled 2008. The end of this week we'll be flying to northern Indiana for Fr. Tony to have his first interview. As much as I'm still not pleased with the fact we're in the "search process", I'm forcing myself to believe in the possibility this is a Godsend, and good things lie ahead this year. We're so very thankful for all the well wishes we've received over the past weeks, and will keep you posted as things progress.

Yesterday our Tony had a post-op appointment with his thoracic surgeon, Dr. Geoffrey Graeber. The good news is the left lung is looking great, and all is going well. Aside from the ongoing recovery from surgery, we're working on getting Tony weened off the pain patch they put him on following surgery. Sounds rather simple, aye? Think not!

Since we arrived home Tony's been battling with morning sickness, and queezy tum throughout each day, although his appetite is good. After a month of this, I called one of the physicians and inquired about the nausea, and he suggested it was the pain patch. We agreed the patch needed to finally go. So, off with the patch. HA! That evening our Tony was unable to sleep, and by morning he had the shakes, terribly. WITHDRAWAL! Later that afternoon the doc returned my next call, and said, "Oh, I didn't realize he was on a high dosage (although I'd told him the exact dosage)...." He then said, "Put him back on the patch till you see the surgeon".

Tony and I both began reading up on this patch, and how we could possibly begin decreasing the dosage ourselves. "Cut it in half" we thought. Nope.... according to the literature it's strongly suggested NOT to cut the patch, for concern about overdosing the patient. So, we waited till we saw the surgeon, who promptly told us, "Cut the patch in half". (sigh) Instead of correcting the all knowing and powerful surgeon, I convinced him to write an RX for a lower dosage. Unfortunately, he mis-calculated the number of patches we needed to get Tony through the weening process, and none (and we tried legions of them) of the pharmacies in town had the large number of patches the doc prescribed. OY!

In the end, we came home with a handful of smaller dosage patches, and will now begin the weening process. You'd think the docs would learn a bit more about the meds they prescribe...... ah, well. Yet another learning process, aye? Thankfully, this whole episode will soon be a small memory. No longer am I having to pack holes in Tony's side, and he's getting stronger by the day. Now, to get him on and off airplanes without catching something, over the coming month!

During the doctor's appointment, he showed us the several different chest XRays done on Tony, from the time he was admitted to hospital, up to yesterday. I think Tony saw for the first time how very serious the condition was. We both feel incredibly blessed that Tony's here with us today. Miracles do happen, y'all.