Another sweet Sunday

As I continue my search for the "new normal" there continue to be highs and lows.  I think I have finally figured out a good schedule for "eating."  The problem is it still entails spending 8 hours a day hooked up to the pump.  Since my stomach only makes the stormy sounds when the food is actually being pumped in, I have to assume it is because it is tired of this special canned diet.  Instead of my usual MO of just jumping in hog wild, I'm trying to slow down and change things one at a time so I have some prayer of figuring out what the problem actually is. 

Last night we played another new game.  It was a gift from Stuart and Ellen (and we can't wait to play it with you!)  Be warned, this game is definitely NC-17 and is not for the easily offended.  There were several times we had to be checking urban dictionary because we didn't know some of the terms.  It was hysterically funny and appealed to my sick sense of humor.  It does require reading aloud (it is basically a very adult version of Apples to Apples), so I had to have a designated reader.  However, it would be very compatible with type to talk and the perfect opportunity for voices to fit the card.  

On the downside last night, we had the first really scary thing happen since I've been home from the hospital. I shifted positions in the night and when I moved, I coughed.  Not that unusual, but something came up and instead of stopping off in my mouth, it was coming out my nose.  And I surely aspirated some of it because I couldn't breathe.  I was gasping on the side of the bed, desperately trying to suction out my mouth and nose and to breathe.  The trach hole is closed up quite a bit and trying to suction in there without the guidance of the trach or any medical training would be more than iffy.  It passed quickly, but scared the hell out of me.  

Today was a day of visiting.  Mary was here for her last day.  Aura and Beth both came and were wonderful visitors.  I have to say that this experience has made me a better listener.  Kelly went to the office in a desperate attempt to catch up at work.  Karissa played with the neighbor kids.  I sat on my rear.

Sitting on my rear is an issue, though.  Weeks of sitting and laying have played havoc with what little rear end I have.  I'm sure the bathroom marathon of the other day didn't help, either.  My tailbone is complaining loudly.  I've been sitting/laying on pillows.  I've been lying on my side as much as possible.  I need to be up and moving around more, but I don't quite have the stamina.  

Body parts are starting to find their way back to their original places.  Unfortunately, the swelling and stitches make it impossible for me to pick my head up as I should.  It is constantly pulled forward and tipped down. I'm not still looking down at the floor as I did in the hospital, but this will take some work.  

Each day the swelling goes down and the trach hole closes a little more.  My 'voice' becomes clearer.  Oh, make no mistake, my opera career is over, but for some basic communication I can be understood.  That is encouraging.  I recited the first line of the Gettysburg Address, or the Klingon National Anthem... you'll never know.

Oh, and by the way, the first bill arrived.  The surgery bill (not the 16 day hospital stay and all related meds and treatments) was $26,000.  I can hardly wait to see the next one.  Glad we met our out of pocket.