What can I say? Miracles happen, again and again! Stepped up to the Thanksgiving spread, proceeded to place some of everything on my plate. Not much, mind you, but it was a plate full by the time ran the 10 feet of table. Every thing tasted like it was supposed to! I ended up eating it all and had a sliver of cherry pie with real whipped cream on it. This morning I had ham and a half piece of french toast.
Enough of my food intake. I did sleep on my right side some but still have some pain.
The even better of part of Thanksgiving. All my family were here. We all gathered at my brother Charles's (and sister in law Jackie's) ranch south of Stephenville. All of his family was there plus my sister Phyllis and her husband George. Total, 32. Just wish my Mom and Dad could have seen this beautiful bunch.
This week I begin to "eat in earnest." Want to get rid of this feeding tube but I've got to offset the 1500 calories that I get using it. Am looking forward to (and I'm fearful as to how it will taste) a greasy hamburger. Oh yeah, my mainstay before all this happened, mexican food. You know, if you take "going out to eat" away from the "things you do" you don't get to hang out with many of your friends!
Love you all and hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving.

You know, sometimes you need your caregiver to slap you up side the head when you begin think your not making progress fast enough. Sunday, I bemoaning the fact that I had hit a "plateau." "Only" able to eat a few solids and lots of fluids. Lynda looked me in the eye and said, "Leighton, what do you expect? You've only been out of the hospital one week, from major surgery! You expect to get better overnight?"
Sobered me up. Now, I'm rejoicing in the "onlys".
Good news on my right chest. It has really hurt. I guess since they had to deflate the lung, cut along below my shoulder blade, squeeze open a coupla ribs, stitch my esophagus and stomach together thru that hole, plus then sticking two drain tubes in it, I guess my chest had a right to hurt. Finally, the last two nights I can lay on my back without pain. Not that I had had a lot but there were only a coupla ways I could get "comfortable" at night so anything helps.
After laying on my back those 10 days needless to say I was really weak, but strength and stamina are slowly returning, but guess what, I have to "go out and get it" they just don't come back on their own.
Went to church yesterday, which was a blessing. Now looking forward to ALL my family coming in for Thanksgiving. God is good!
Love you all!

Thursday morning and it's beautiful. Have had a great week (after the fiasco getting my new feeding tube.) Finally, my right chest has began to not feel like a horse has kicked me. Getting more strength each day. My voice is getting stonger. I got up at 8 yesterday kept moving until 11:30 and then sat down for a nap. I'm sure there was something that happened yesterday that was negative but I sure don't remember it, thank the Lord. Am getting liquid down. Smoothie's, orange juice, apple juice, soups (without any stuff in them) but solid food with any consistencey to it does not taste good at all. Keeping on trying. Gained a pound in the last three days. Up to 132.6. If I stood sideways you could not get my imagine with a camera. Not to worry, Lynda keeps on the staight and narrow. Love you all.

Saturday I came home and I'm glad I did! Needless to say, it was exhausting. Was up and about more that day since I had been in the hospital. Came home, sat down and went to sleep. That evening started my tube feeding again (still working up to "real food.") Last night, in my real bed! Boy did it feel good. Looking forward to today to begin to move around, some. Well, my feeding tube decided, about 2 AM to start leaking. Got up and cleaned everything up. (Actually, I got up and Lynda cleaned everything up.) Same thing happened at 3! Then back to bed and we woke up at 7:30. Guess what, the feeding tube was clogged up and we could not get it to accept "food." So, we "cleaned up" for the third time.
At 11:30 we went to the emergency room at the hospital. I will not bore you with the all the drama that happened I will just tell you that I left the hospital, after watching almost all the Cowboy game, at 6:15. Now, let's say that tomorrow I begin my home recovery.
What I really hate about all this is that it makes you set everyone in your life aside (except those "doing stuff for you")and you get "selfish." It's all about me, me, me! That's not the way I operate and it feels like crap, but you don't seem to have a choice.
God is good and I have such a loving family and loving friends so I hope they forgive me. I will be back!

As in every Thanksgiving, the Lord gives me and family something extra to give thanks for. This year it's the special healing that He has directed my way.
As you know from my early posts the health insurance that we have just about "forced" us to the treatment plan that we embarked on, in our own hometown. We "ended up" with about 10 doctors that were all friends of my brother and were all well respected in their fields. We "ended up" in a hospital that has patient care and "caring" as it's primary focus. One of the "girls" who checked me in I taught in Sunday School 40 years ago. Looks like I will be dismissed tomorrow or Sunday and three of the nurses from ICU took the time to come down today and wished my God Speed. (I've been out of ICU since last Saturday afternoon).Oh yes, and all this is only 5 minutes from home! The Lord puts where you need to be, doesn't He?
I have been surrounded by prayer each step of the way. Three doctors came in today to say how they could not believe how well I'd healed. "Prayer", has always been my answer to them.
Walked a 100 yards twice today and am "chopping at the bits" to get out of here, but it will come when it's supposed to come.
Could not have done it without Lynda and all my family. Debbie, Angie, Sherie plus their respective familiess and friends. My brother Charles and sister Phyllis and their families and then all of you, our friends, literally worldwide, that have been praying for Lynda and I.
OK, enough of all that. Don't think this is the end of this process because until I run another foot race (and I have set April as the month) I'll still will not be "healed." Again, love you all and thanks for your prayers, cards, flowers and visits. ---- More to come.

Not a bad day.Started on a clear diet today. Food (liquid) now tastes close to the same. Drank about half of what they broght me, both times, which turned out to be good. But, I had to request "plastic ware." Regular old flatware turned my mouth to "tin" tasting. My stomach is still trying to figure out what's happening. Tomorrow I get to start "walking about." Each day, new milestones. Energy level moves up each day. One thing I will miss, when I go home, is that sometime each day pain decides to "pay a visit." When that happens I just call the nurse. With a shot in my port she "fixes it." Within two minutes it's gone. Oh well, a price to pay. Will let you know how "running down the hall" works out.

It's great when I don't feel like "posting" and Lynda steps to the plate and puts out the info. What she didn't tell is that in getting the baruim test I was also listenting to the dr that was conducting the test and it was my "assumption" that I had failed. Well, Mr. Optomism went into a spiral. "Woe is me" was my thoughts. When I got back to the room at 10:30 AM I was not a man to be spoken to. Lynda realized it, patted my hand and went home (after trying to pull me out of a funk that I didn't explain to her why I was in.) 2 PM arrived and one of Dr. Carter's associates come in and asked how I was. After the old batter "just fine" and all that stuff I asked about the barium swallow. "Oh, I don't know, You'll have to ask Dr. Carter." Well, have you ever had two doc from the same office visit you in the same day? Not me, so further into my funk I went. "I've lost a day and maybe two." I thought. So, I just rolled over and went to sleep. Awoke at four, clock slowly moved to 5, then 5:15, and then in walked Carter. "How you doing?" He asked. "How am I doing?" I asked. "Well you did well on the swallow test today." he sez. "Then, when do I get these tubes out?" I respond. "Oh, you mean like this one?" and pulled the one from my nose. And then proceded to pull the rest, except the cathater. Boy was I relieved and boy was I ashamed that I couldn't wait on the Lord. Then the doc came by yesterday and gave the orders to pull the cathater and now, when they say I can (and send some to walk with me) I can! Yea! Doc also told me that I would get a "liquid tray" for the next two days and then progress to a "jello and mashed potatoes" after that. And, maybe go home this coming weekend. Boy, did that sound good!
Considering at what happened at Ft. Hood my "journey" pales in importance. I know you all have added those survivors and the wounded to your prayers, and so have I. Love you all!

Update about my guy

Today was a big day!! The first swallow!! He passed the test and out came the tubes. He is one happy man. Needless to say so am I. The hardest thing to do is to watch the love of you life struggle and not be able to fix it. Thank God for the doctors who can. Thank God for the friends and family who prayed for this day. We love you all. Lynda

"Escaped" from ICU and now my next "hurdle" is getting all these tubes out. Don't know how many I have and don't care. Just don't want them out if that's possible. What I have been "looking forward to" is a barium swallow. Yeah, sure! But it's something I have to do to prove my body is ready to move on it's own. So, today was the day. They unplugged me from everything, piled what they couldn't on my bed and off I went down the hall, over 10 bumps, down two floors and was slid over onto a flat cold table, told to "sip" barium, asked if they can stand me up and then listen to them comment what was happening to the barium. And then back to my room the same way. Now I'm back waiting for the results.
Good --- they take out some tubes.
Bad --- then I get to do this again.
Needless to say I sure am hoping and praying for the best! That's it for today unless they come and give me the results. Either way you may hear me hollering whereever you are!

Early on the morning of November 8. Each day is amazing! Today I was "expelled" from ICU because I was, as my surgeon put it, "Too healthy." What good news to my ears. Hated to leave the excellent care I was getting but it was good to "grow out of the need for it." It was exhausting moving from one area to another! Seems that Saturday night was the time they had chosen to go even more computerized! So, the "trip" that should have taked 20 minutes took two hours. Charles was here so he smoothed the process. Looks like I will have excellent caregivers here also. Had visitors till 9. Drifted off to sleep and woke up at 10 with Lynda's lips on mine. She had come by earlier, spent some time, and went off to a party the she and some of her friends were putting on for the daughter of some of our other friends, who is getting married. She said she couldn't go home without kissing me goodnight. Is that swell or what? (And, who uses "swell" any more?) Whatever, I awoke feeling more rested than I have in days. As soon as she left I set about to answer all my emails of 5 days. Now it's time to go to bed.
Love you all.

Just an update on my guy

Today was second day after surgery and for those who have been there -- you know what I mean. Leighton did really well today, but was a little tired so naps were more frequent. Coughing and not swallowing are both on the list of "real drags". But he was able to manage both. We are still just blown away by the love and prayers that continue to surround us. Thanks will never be enough to say -- so we will just try to pay it forward. Good night dear friends and family. Love to all.

Well, boys and girls, here I am again! This will be short and sweet because I'm still in ICU but I'm feeling "great" considering the shape I'm in.
Love U all.

I can not express the joy of seeing Leighton and knowing that each minute is bring healing to him. As his girls call him a strong old "coot", he continues to prove them right. Out of bed and into a chair three different times for at least 30 minutes each. Never a complaint about pain -- just doing what has to be done. When I left the late afternoon visiting hours, he said why don't you all go to a movie or do something fun. Honey, seeing you smile is all the fun I need. So tomorrow I will look forward to that crazy grin and spending time with you. Sleep tight and rest well. I love you.

So Day 2 and everything is looking good!! He did have a fever last night but it was gone this morning. They had to collapse a lung during the surgery and that was a concern but around 3 am he began to increase his lung capacity and that seems to be behind him. They got him up and in a chair and he was able to tolerate the pain. The ICU staff is wonderful, they are really keeping the pain level under control. He continues to become more lucid .... ha!

Our family continues to be lifted up by the overwhelming support
....thank you does not do justice to the love we are feeling!

So we just got HUGE NEWS -- a miracle!!! The surgery is over (4 1/2 hours), the liver and everything else is clear, the docs are very pleased with the condition around the resection. Dad's brother Charlie...went into the surgery and had a peek inside...he was amazed by how perfect everything went!!!
God was watching over my daddy along with some 30 people who came by the hospital. Thank you to everyone who has been praying and encouraging "Pops"

We will keep you guys all posted as he recovers :)

One more day till "D" day! Received an email today that had an Emerson quote.
What lies behind us
and what lies before us
are small matters compared to
What lies within us.
Yesterday was fun. Stepped out of the shower and my feeding tube fell out. Called the doc. (6:15 AM) He sez call the office at the stoke of nine and tell them. They will tell you to go to the emergency room and then a doc will come over and reinsert a new one. (Thank goodness I had just finished my "feeding" at 6 AM.) Since I was still "full" I did my pre op for my Wednesday surgery at 9:30 (after calling the doc as told to) and when that was finished at noon I checked into the Emergency Room. Finally checked out at 5:20 with a new tube. Efficiency in action.
An "aside." If you have any friends that have to do the feeding tube routine the best thing I've found to keep the tube stablized when you are not "eating" is an Ace Bandage.
The last four days I've been stronger every day. Today I weighed 140.2. First time I've been about 140 in about 6 weeks. Yea!
I am so filled with peace that I have no fears about tomorrow. Thanks to all of you, my family and as always Lynda, the love of my life.

Starting Friday, my energy levels have returned to "almost normal". (Granted, it's been so long since I was that way it's really hard to remember.)I told Lynda yesterday that if I could eat I'd forget about doing the surgery on Wednesday. But, alas, alack, I cannot.
It has felt good to feel good. I sleep well, wake up and think of things I need to do, get up and do them and go back to bed. Just like the old days. Which is what I'm going to do right now. Love you all.