Nov 14 RE: Baltimore

After reading the news from Debbie, it is hard to celebrate, but we do have some good things to share
. After working with the physical therapist today, trying to get out of bed and walk, the PT figured out in a hurry that the tube on the right side was indeed a problem. I had a feeling they were thinking that Dad was gold bricking, maybe for pain meds. We think the PT talked to the Dr. on the floor because the next thing we knew they decided to take out the offending tube. The plan this morning was to leave both tubes in until tomorrow. The pain is GREATLY diminished, and he is even getting up on his own. Dr. A came in about 30 min ago and most of his report was very positive. In a nutshell, he said all the fluid was pretty much gone, and we could check out Sun if we liked. Well we like. The other news is that he felt Dad had positive results from t he surgery. The plans are for him to relax and recouperate over the next couple of months. At 3 months from date of surgery, they will do a base line CT and labs. Probabilty they will do 3 to 4 rounds of chemo just to stay on the safe side. Of course this disease has its own mind -- as we know -- but for now all things are pointing in a positive direction.
When we check out of the hospital, we will stay at the Holiday Inn Sun and Mon night. Our flight is around noon on Tues. We are soooo ready to get home, and especially sleep in our own bed.
Just a little side story: After Dad worked with the PT I went down to the chapel. I said some prayers and told God that we really needed a miracle, that we were so tired and had little or no energy left... Five minutes later, Dad called as I walked down to the food court to tell me that the Dr. had ordered removal of the offended tube. I call that our miracle.
Now we have to continue to pray as a family for all of us -- jobs, financial security, good health.
I know Christmas will be lean for all. We just cut our retirement withdrawal by more than 50%. So it won't be like years gone by. We will have to focus on the meaning of Christmas and try to have a great time in spite of all the economic woes out there. Please do not worry about Dad and me, as you know, we have lots of "stuff".

Love you all,
Mom/Sandy