Fact: For one day in 1940, a section of a hospital in Ottawa, Canada, became international territory so that a Dutch Princess could be born a full Dutch citizen (a requirement to be a Dutch Princess). Every year the Netherlands sends Canada a gift of tulips to show their gratitude.
We tried to sleep but probably got 30 minutes since 11:00 PM last night. We had no specific worries, just anticipation, we guessed.
We got up at 3:30 AM, which was excellent practice for Thursday morning when we fly to Chicago and then back to John Wayne for a 10:39 AM landing. Colleen will meet us, and if I am doing well, we will go to Girls Night Out at the Elks, where everyone will want the adventure shared.
It was 5:00 AM when we departed from the hotel! If you are curious about the operation, go here! Hopefully, I wrote in more detail on my website to inform friends and family about the process from finding cancer through recovery. I know it is a little personal, but if it helps family and friends find and deal with the big “C,” then so be it. If this helps anyone, I am happy. One extraordinary person in m life told me he has already taken steps to check his condition because he noticed his blood test for PSA was “high.”
This whole ordeal has been made easier by my loving and magnificent bride. Thanks to my supporting family, extended family, and wonderful friends for all your support!
We arrived at the hospital at 5:00 AM, where we checked in at about 5:30 AM. We talked and chatted and said goodbye until I was wheeled into the OR at 7:3-:13 AM (there was a digital clock on the ceiling above the OR doors)
I got a warm blanket when they put me on the table and connected me to a host of monitors. I saw my new friend, the robot. They had no name for him yet, and I think I will start a naming contest. Perhaps I will call him fingers??
The devices on the right when inside my tummy through a one-inch hole, and the surgeon operated the four finders through a console a few feet away.
The staff and doctors were terrific. I loved seeing smiling faces that early in the morning. They explained everything, made sure I was comfortable, and then they pressed the button, and it was lights out for me for three hours.
I made sure the cut was below my speedo line so as not to hinder any future speedo contests I may enter.
Dr. Salvatore Bommarito is an anesthesiologist in Clinton Township, MI, and is affiliated with Henry Ford Macomb Hospitals. He has been in practice between 10–20 years. He was funny, and he enjoyed my banter with him in the pre-op room.
Dr. Ryan Nelson is a urologist in Saint Clair Shores, MI, and is affiliated with Beaumont Hospital-Troy. He has been in practice between 10–20 years. He is Mary’s roommate’s son and is well known in the hospital by everyone, including the person who took me to pre-op. She said, “He is always pleasant and asks about my family and me; unlike others, I have never seen him upset.”
I woke up and felt no pain, but I asked for my bride, and they went to get her. They told Mary of my continuous teasing, and Mary said, “He wakes up this way! I was so happy to see her! Mary helped me get dressed, and we were on our way a few minutes later. She brought a gag but decided I might behave on the way out.
But first, I needed a concrete report. After five months of construction, I had to miss the finale, the pouring of the cement walkways! Thanks to Colleen, we have plenty of pictures.
Looks great!!
Thank you, Colleen; now we will always remember! Also, thank you. Scout! According to reports, they were pouring at about 7:30 AM and went for a couple of hours, with the finishers completing their task at about 11:00 AM.
We even have our initials in the concrete, plus Scout!
There was a slight communication issue between the truck/pump and the pourer (they were almost 200 feet apart), so Bob acted as a relay! Must love Bob; he is a real problem solver, not to mention a wonderful friend.
I must admit, my feet were a little shaky, and I had to get used to my new pet bag; he follows me everywhere now. Mary said, “Oh goody, when we get home, I will have a new pull-toy!” Oh dear, what will the future bring?
I heard loud noises in the parking lot, an engine revving up, then a cloud of dust wafted across the parking lot, and here came Mary. I wondered if the rental company would mind that Mary had flames painted on the side of the car. Slamming on the brakes, she slid into the entrance driveway with a minimal squealing of the brake and tires, but the smell of burnt rubber did go into the waiting room.
With assistance, I got into the car, strapped in, and began the countdown. T-10,9,8,7,6,5,4,3,2,1, blastoff. I glanced into the rear-view mirror and saw the people pointing at the flames and running for the doors. The telephone poles looked like a picket fence.
We headed home with Mary wheeling the vehicle driving the Camry like it was her LS500h; I never thought a Camray could do a 90-degree turn at 60 miles per hour. It eas a recreation of Mr. Toade’s Wild Ride!
Off we go at the speed of light!
We made it home to the hotel, where I kissed the ground immediately after leaving the space capsule.
More truth, Mary is an excellent driver and one of the few where I allow my eyes to leave the road!
After getting to the room, I rested and did the Daily Diary while Mary went across the street to the market and got a gaggle of goodies, soft foods, and drinks. We had soups, soft drinks, cottage cheese, and other delights. She walked, so there was no re-creation of the earlier blast-off. I sold tickets to the hotel staff to watch the take-off; I had to refund their money!
I was checking out the goodies!
For the rest of the afternoon and evening, we watched NetFlix movies and ate. By 10:40 PM, we were tired, and my liquid collection was getting clearer every time, which was a good sign. The blood was coming from the joint in the urethra, so it should stop in a day or so.
In urology, a Foley catheter (named for Frederic Foley, who produced the original design in 1929) is a flexible tube that a clinician passes through the urethra and into the bladder to drain urine. It is the most common type of indwelling urinary catheter.
The tube has two separated channels, or lumens, running down its length. One lumen, open at both ends, drains urine into a collection bag. The other has a valve on the outside back and connects to a balloon at the inside tip. The balloon is inflated with sterile water when it lies inside the bladder to stop it from slipping out. Manufacturers usually produce Foley catheters using silicone or coated natural latex.
The balloon is inside the bladder and is attached pull-string (according to Mary). It will be removed next week by my urologist in Long Beach.
We crashed at 11:00 PM. after watching “Switching Places I, II and part of III.”
The Princess Switch is a 2018 American Christmas romantic comedy film directed by Mike Rohl from a screenplay by Robin Bernheim and Megan Metzger. The film stars Vanessa Hudgens, Sam Palladio, and Nick Sagar.
The film’s concept of two people who look identical running into one another and switching places comes from Mark Twain’s 1881 novel The Prince and the Pauper.
It was released on November 16, 2018, by Netflix. It was followed by a sequel, The Princess Switch: Switched Again, which premiered on November 19, 2020, and The Princess Switch 3: Romancing the Star, which premiered on November 18, 2021
We slept solidly until 5:00 AM. On the positive side, I will not be getting up to tinkle; the Foley works well!
