Surgery plus 64 days

My final meeting with the surgeon went as well as I had hoped. He said that this is one of the fastest recoveries he has seen. From his point of view, the surgery is complete.

I also met with the gastro-entomologist who first found the tumor during an endoscopy. I went to see him because it occurred to me that I may not need the antacid prescription that I took before surgery. After all, I wasn't eating much and my stomach didn't seem to be acidic at all. I was right. The instructions from the hospital release were incorrect. I shouldn't have been taking those prescriptions any more. They probably made eating more difficult.

He gave me some additional interesting facts:

- the number of people being diagnosed with this cancer is increasing
- there is no proof that medication for reflux (prevacid, priolsec, ranitadine) acutal work...they may be doing more harm than good
- my surgery cut a nerve that triggers the production of stomach acid so I don't have to worry about creating the same problem again, and
-my surgery also disposed of the sphincter muscle that closes off the stomach from the esophagus and I'm now dependent on gravity to settle my stomach through the digestion process.

So, those of you are living with a reflux condition (and it seems like half of you are) need to get rid of the condition by cutting out the cause as opposed to treating the symptoms. Eat smaller meals more often. Stay away form acidic foods. Don't eat much before going to bed. Stay at a healthy weight.

I've scheduled a follow-up endoscopy in two weeks to have a closer look at how things are working to make sure there is no mechanical problems with the reconfigured stomach and esophagus.

Surgery plus 61 days

My exercise this week involves sorting through closets and drawers in San Carlos and weeding out what we don't have room for in Pacific Grove. I'm afraid that most of the work is falling on Sharon, but I'm able to do more than I have before. I have my last visit with the surgeon on Thursday and fully expect that he will be pleased with my progress. I'm not ready to go back to work quite yet, but I'm making steady progress in that direction. We have a swimming pool in the community and I've been there for a while each afternoon. I have scars on the front and back of my torso that look like the seams on a baseball. I fully expected people to run out of the area when I took my shirt off. So far, only quickly averted eyes....except for the young children who stare with great curiosity. I'm used to it already.

Surgery plus 55 days

Well, after my success with the pitching wedge, I went back to the driving range several days in a row and worked my way through the bag. After a few days, I came to the conclusion that I could play again. So, yesterday, I played 9 holes. It wasn't a pretty round in general, but I made three pars. I don't think I could have walked the course, but I had no problem driving it in a golf cart. In fact, I'm sure I could have done 18. I think the surgeon told me that I might be able to play golf again after 12 months or so if all went well. I can't wait to tell him next week that I'm playing golf again less than two months after surgery.

I also worked out in a gym a couple of days ago. I took it real easy, but I was amazed at how much I could do.

So, physically, I'm doing better. My lungs are clearing. My stamina is increasing and could be back to normal in about four weeks or so if I keep improving at this rate. I'm beginning to talk with clients and partners about work they would like me to do. I'm eager to get back.

I'm still having difficulty eating enough during the day. I continue to lose weight and haven't really stabilized yet. I'm hoping that the increased exercise and fresh air will stimulate my appetite, but I still have to be able to eat more. The doctors have said that my eating capacity will improve, but I need that to happen soon.

Thanks, again, for all your emails and cards. They mattered a lot through all of this.

Surgery plus 50 days

It couldn't be a more beautiful day in Pacific Grove. There is no wind. It's sunny. The temperature is 75 degrees. I can smell the ocean.

I went down to the putting green this morning and spent an hour trying to improve my game. Then, I took the big gamble and went to the driving range. I now took my wedge so that I wouldn't be tempted to do something foolish. I bought a bucket of balls. I tried some half swings and felt no pain. I moved on to three quarter swings and that worked. So, I hit half a bucket of balls with a delicious full swing that would have made Tiger Woods swoon.

As I said, its an beautiful day here in Pacific Grove.

Tomorrow, the nine iron comes out!

Surgery plus 45 days

It was a wonderful week filled with more healing and lots of visits with friends. We went out to dinner several times. Sharon has continued to work with contractors to finish off some odds and ends on the upstairs remodel. She has also been able to catch up on a lot of differed cleaning and maintenance. We hope to have a relaxing week starting tomorrow. I am better able to concentrate and was able to finish the book on HP called "Bill and Dave". There were so many details that I had no idea about as Bill and Dave built the company. I learned a lot.

I'm standing straighter, walking more, eating a little better, and I can swing a golf club fully but very gently. I still have some distance to go, but I'm encouraged and staying patient.