Excuse me, excuse me, from the bottom of my heart...

We made another milestone today: Jamie passed gas. Not only does this mean that the surgeon in fact hooked everything back up correctly, it also means that Jamie will be eating and drinking soon. I unfortunately was not here for the event, as I was having a grilled cheese sandwich in the cafeteria. But those present recounted it as a most jubilant occasion with Jamie’s eyes lighting up like a child’s on Christmas morning.

I think this also marks Jamie’s readiness for regular guests, but please be courteous and let us know when you plan to arrive to prevent overcrowding and wearing Jamie out. She has consistently been walking and doing her daily hygiene around 9:oo or 10:00 a.m., so late morning is not convenient.

Jamie’s walk this morning was epic, with nurse Hallie taking her clear to the end of the wing, around the nurses’ station and back to her room. Afterwards Chris and I helped Jamie with her morning routine, and both Jamie and I settled in for a long nap.

We also met with Dr. Goff this morning, who has proposed that Jamie join a trial group that undergoes chemotherapy at a more aggressive pace. Instead of the normal 21 day cycle, Jamie would receive chemo every 15 days, along with a drug called Neulestra to boost her immune system. The primary drug mix is the same, with the only exception being that the Neulestra is given initially, instead of around the 4th cycle under the normal course. According to Dr. Goff Jamie could be ready to start this as soon as one week following discharge.

As for me, I have had made my self infamous by vomiting in the hall outside Jamie’s room last night. Last evening, with Ken and Chris here I thought I would take a couple of hours to run some errands and have a meal off campus. I got my chores done, showered up and went to what had been my favorite neighborhood sushi joint for some culinary adventure. The event being still clear in my mind I would prefer not to recount my menu choices, but let’s just say I pulled my usual and asked the chef “what's good tonight”. About 4 hours later I noted that I was feeling a bit nauseous so I went downstairs to walk a bit and buy a soda. The first soda machine took my money but gave no product (a bad omen which I did not recognize at the time), so I found another machine down a side corridor by the service elevator. I returned to the room, took a few sips of Sprite and started to relax. Then it hit me. I lurched for the in room trash can, but restrained myself. Thinking I could overpower it, I went out into the hall. Soon overwhelmed, I grabbed a small trash can but missed; spraying all over myself and the hallway. I momentarily regained focus and went back into Jamie’s bathroom, where I continued to heave. Jamie was startled awake, and hit her call button. By this time things had subsided. I swabbed up what I could and then went to find Michael to confess (I had been touting my sushi eating skills to him earlier). Michael who was literally minutes from the end of his shift (in his steadfast way) assured me that this was one place I did not have to be embarrassed about bodily functions. Jamie soon demanded my removal from her room, and I called Chris to take my watch. I returned to the hotel (wretched a bit more) and then slept. I awoke his morning a bit shy of appetite, but later ate the egg breakfast special without remorse.

Jamie and I appreciate all of your comments and support. I look forward to checking the blog several times as day. In the past we have been reading to Jamie, but today I think she will be strong and focused enough to use her own laptop.

(Now edited by popular demand.)