Catheter removed- check

Walking the halls- check

Pain pump removed- check

Eating- check

One gnarly scar- check

Thursday

At 1pm Thursday my schedule opened up so I took off for Cleveland. I did not tell Joe I was coming because I knew he would say no. Kathy has been with him most of the time and she knew I was coming. He was sleeping when I got there so I visited with Christine, Joe's cousin's wife, and Kathy. Friends Kim and Eric stopped by. Many stories were shared from Joe's BG News and Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette days.

Earlier in the day the bandages were removed from Joe's abdomen. Dr. W removed the bandages by ripping them off all at once causing Joe much pain. He also had made the 5 walks in the hall requested by the staff and trips to the bathroom.

The kids and I were planning to go out tonight but since it looks like Joe will be discharged Saturday we are going to wait. I'll make the trip on Saturday to bring him home. The kids will be disappointed but it will be better if it is just Joe and I. Three kids in the van for 2.5 hours when one has not had major surgery is hard so for the safety of all it will just be Joe and I.

No concrete pathology reports from Dr. K yet but someone from his staff checked on Joe and used phrases like "got it all" and "looks good". I hope to get firm results today.