Hi Bill, I came home from the Pisa hospital yesterday afternoon. Feeling pretty tired from the step climbs, walking and car ride home from the hospital. But we arrived to find Bernardo's parents here to greet us, Simon and Yucky§(our cats) both acted like they knew I had returned too. We went out to dinner around 8pm last evening at La Cava(the restaurant Bernardo has a small partner status in), saw some customers from the days I worked there that were in awe of my new look and enjoyed a few bites of pasta and bean soup, tried a couple of bites of Bernardo's Linguine with Radicio, Speck and Gorgonzola Cheese and we shared a Pepper Verde Filet. Needless to say that was a bit much for the first day out of the hospital. Today I will be resting and doing my exercises at home and using the computer a little. It is raining here and cool for early March, even brought in the spring flowers from the cold air last night. I am doing as good as can be expected at this point 9 days after a new hip I am walking with crutches and bearing weight as I take steps. Today Bernardo will try to get more information about the rehabilitation center and when I can start. They usually take several days to get things started, so we may look into a couple private PT sessions to get the ball rolling, as the PT personal in the hospital only show the very basics and not the movement, I can say that getting in and out of a car is not the easiest thing to do at this time, but with patience and time it will all get better soon. Trying to find out if I qualify for one of the special rebates the Bush has offered, I dont seem to find a form, but it also says I must have had an income or collected SSI which I have done neither during 2007. Looking forward to the weeks ahead to get underway with rehab and walking, the pain is gone and so are the pain meds I took for over 4 years, the day before surgery was my last painpill cocktail and it was happiness that I took it knowing it would be the last, now hopefully my stomache will return to its normal ways and I wont get nausiated so frequently. Yesterday we also received our official letter from the Italian Preferatura who authorizes the VISA and sends on to the Embassy for delivery that on March 19 Bernardo will only need to take some document info and copy of my passport and they will give him the paperwork that we will walk to the SF Italian Embassy when coming to the USA, wish there was something in Portland that would save us the trip to SF, if anyone knows please let us know. Thanks. So many days coming up in the US, St. Patricks, Easter and Spring Breaks. We hope to get away for a weekend in April with some people from the Italiano Gastric Bypass forum that Bernardo involved us in last year, they do little functions at times around Italy and in April they want to get together at an Agrotourismo, which is like a farm, bed and breakfast and also serves all meals, in the Chianti Region of Tuscany, Mid April should be much warmer and it would be nice to have a little weekend trip to meet all these supportive people, who have been kept posted of all that has happened to me over the past 10 months. They two have accomplished amazing personal achievements and would be good for me to hear about them too.
Ok all my loved and people who are cared for, I do hope that you are all feeling well and having a good day.
Will keep you informed of the progress, I love the info about the replica of the Leaning Tower.
I send hugs to you.
Paul
Ciao and buon giorno Bill, that is interesting about the shape of the Y you grew up around in Niles, I'd like to see it.
Today is a good day, I have been up and walking several times now and even have gotten up on my own 5 times to with the help of crutches and gone to use the restroom as the bedpan idea is not something I am comfortable with. I told the Dr. this morning that I was beginning to feel somewhat depressed here, so he said Thursday I could go home, I hope this is the case, as the physical therapy is very limited to 2 therapists who come only in the morning and try to work with 30-40 patients so you can imagine that the 10-15 minutes per person does not give much, basically I beleive they are merely showing how to exercise and walk correctly and theny a person goes home a few days and then to a rehab center for more extensive physical therapy. I hope you are having a good day and that your are keeping your spirits up. I will talk with you again soon Bill.
Paul
Hi there Bill, good Sunday to you. When I would come back from Italia with my new meds. and take them to show my PCP, I was always excited, but he could never translate to as what they were. Woke up at 3am with a tummy ache that was strong, tride using the bedpan as they wont let me get up and I am bathroom shy(cant urinate or do the other unless in a closed door bathroom, I tried though and ended up getting a shot to relax my colon, and at 5am a Dr came and prescribed a shot to relax my stomach, it was not good, I called my partner who is almost an hour away panicking with fear unable to calm down, he said he would come early, I felt bad as he is here alot missing many hours from his office. at 7:15am I was advised that I would be going for ecodoplers of my stomache, soon the transport people arrived and into the back of an ambulance away I went to arrive at another building in this large hospital complex, even if it was the building next to the orthopedic ward it would have been the as "this is the Italian way". The dopplers showed my few stones, however they were not the problem, was trapped air I guess, that the best anyone has explained, I am ok now, but I trip to the normal restroom would be appreciated maybe tomorrow thats were I will be allowed to walk. I will demand it. Bill in my panic I also got out of bed and stood up all by myslef and walk 2 or 3 steps mostly using my right leg, but nevertheless I am ready to try walking with the crutches and when I get that down home I will be going. I am so grateful to the higher power for these wonderful gifts to give me life back, actually give me a better life than I have ever known. Have wonderful day, the sun is out here today, really beautiful hearing the bells in the plaza where the leaning tower is.
Big hug to you,
Paul
I was taking two strong pain meds. and one strong antinflamitory along with a stomach protector, however dont know the meds. compared to those in the USA, as Italian meds tend to be Italian or European made and have completely different names, In the USA I used a synthetic opiate, that did little except bloat me and this was over 2 years ago. Bill I hope that your pain is limited today and that you have a peaceful weekend. Tomorrow is a day of rest in this very Catholic country and hospital so my day will be spent doing my exercises in bed and this makes me a little anxious as I want to progress and get out of here in the next 4-5 days. Chat soon Bill.
Paul
Ciao Bill, 2 days after the surgery, I am sitting up infront of the computer and I am ready to get my feet on the floor and move, but they say I must wait a couple days more before that will happen. I am anxious to get up and get out of here. But I realize it is with patience and time that it will happen, Italian medicine is a bit slower than American medicine, just different approaches, but I am sure achieving the same great results, at least I have found it this way. I hope that you are doing better and my positive thoughts go out to you.
Paul
You are automatically now on my friends list. Gwen was not telling you to limit or quietly jump in. She is good about letting everyone know about what is already out there to help. So , like me, jump in feet first. You will do fine. Good luck iwith the sermon and I will be praying for your hip.!
Hi Bill,
Sorry that you are not feeling so great, with the cold. You are correct, that there are many very caring and kind people here, and all seem genuine and very grateful for the gift of having this surgery and the opportunity of having a changed life. Hope you are feeling better soon. Monday I go into the hospital to have my hip replacement, however will have my laptop and try to stay in touch.
Talk to you soon.
Paul(pebitpeb)
Hi Bill, that is why I am here, if I can listen or suppurt a fellow human being through this process I am happy to have been able to. Your face sounds very good, wanting to be your nurse, you may need that for some days. You are correct to practice your relaxing and rely on the faith you have. I have learned patience is a key to this process, before, during and I think after is probably where I used it the most. Keep up the efforts, as I am a believe that all good things come. Take good care.
pebitpeb
Paul
About Me
