Pictures

Some pics from October 9 - 21, 2000

Monday, October 9, 2000

Found out the initial diagnosis and checked into the hospital

Wednesday, October 11, 2000
Friday, October 13, 2000: I had a surgery to do a biopsy of the tumor.; The nurse, Peter, is showing me how to operate the TV controls in the ICU just after the surgery. The big patch in the center of my chest is where the incision was made; the lower patch is the tube draining fluid from my chest, and the little patches are EKG leads.

A few hours later, off the oxygen mask, eating some clear soup and jello
Saturday, October 14, 2000 - just after midnight: I had my first chemotherapy treatment. Meg is the oncology nurse who administered it, and it felt great to know I was finally getting the drugs that would start to shrink the tumor.; Almost 24 hours later, late Saturday night, I had the pulmonary embolism, and went on the ventilator.
Monday, October 16, 2000: After being sedated and on the ventilator since Saturday night, I woke up and became somewhat more lucid. I could communicate by writing notes to Amy and others on the notepad, and I told her to take this picture. Here's when I had medical technology working hardest for me...; As a challenge, I figured I should try to get some real benefit out of my profession and use the speech synthesizer on my computer that speaks using samples of my own voice. Amy and the nurses cracked up laughing when the silence was suddenly broken by my laptop saying "Now I can talk".
Tuesday, October 17, 2000: Bob arrived at the hospital almost simultaneous with the breathing tube and feeding tubes being removed Tuesday morning. Having these pulled out was probably the biggest feeling of relief I have ever experienced. I was later able to get up and sit in a chair for awhile, and by then needed only the nasal oxygen supply. Here I am with a week of beard growth, some portions having been removed by adhesive tape...
Wednesday, October 18, 2000: I was able to eat solid food again - eggs, toast, peaches, cereal for breakfast.; I continued to get stronger and have more and more tubes pulled out of me, including the urinary catheter. Here's Bobbo keeping me steady while I ...
: Late that afternoon I was released from ICU back to an ordinary room on the oncology floor.

Thursday, October 19, 2000 - afternoon: Got dressed for the first time in 2 weeks, and went home.

Saturday, October 21, 2000: The rest of the Macons arrived.; Mom and Sammie