How He Looks

Before I go to the hospital today, first of all, thank you Greg and Lynette for letting me stay with you all this time. They have been so gracious and kind and it is fun being with the bussle of a household instead of a hotel.
Second, I wanted to describe for everyone how he is looking after a double nephrectomy. Dr. Cashman removed his dressings yesterday and I was able to see the incision. It is at least 6 inches long and since he has never had a belly button, it's hard to guage where the incision is, but it is pretty long straight down his center.  It was a clean cut and the stiches will dissolve over time. The nurse will be instructing me on how to take care of it when we get home.
Underneath the incision are two little tubes that are taped to his belly and attached to an external pump that he has to carry around. These were put in to administer antibiotics and pain medication directly to the site where the kidneys were removed. Then coming out each side is another tube that drains fluids, again, straight from where the kidneys were. They currently are still red, but eventually the fluid will turn yellow and then they will be removed. We may actually go home with those tubes still intact. Of course he also has the IV fluids that go into a Central Line in his neck. They did that so that he wouldn't have to have his arm stuck a million times. That will come out before we get home.
So, he is full of tubes, but eventually these will get removed one by one and it will get easier to get around. He got up 3 times yesterday and also slept a lot, both of which are very good for him. The doctors and nurses are pushing him, but that's what he wanted. I keep reminding him of that so he remembers.
I'm looking forward to another long day, but hopefully a productive one. Thanks again for all the well wishes, thoughts and prayers. You are all with us and it helps so much to have the support.