Successful surgery!
Just met with Dr. Finley, who reports that Erik's surgery went perfectly, and he's now in the recovery room. Now his main job will be getting up and moving around as much as possible, and healing. :-)
He has an epidural catheter to self-manage pain, which everyone says is a really good arrangement, as it decreases the need for other medication. They’ll start him on tube feeding on Tuesday, and they’ll see if he’s able to swallow water (Erik’s been referring to this as his “leak test”) on either Friday or Monday, depending on how he progresses, and he’ll be able to go home a little while after he can do so.
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Comments (16)
Fantastic news!!!!!! Sending love ❤️
Yay!!!! So far, so good. Now all he has to do is throw that ring in a lake of fire and...(sorry, couldn't help it).
I am so happy to read this. <3
Happy news!
That’s great news. :) I know you will all—and especially Erik—keep up the good work! May he be as quickly “leak-free” as possible and on the way home. I bet you can hear our cheers all the way up there!
Very glad to hear that the surgery went perfectly. Best wishes for no pain, no leaks, and smooth healing.
Great news, Karen. We know Erik is in good hands. I hope that you're not wearing yourself too thin. Take care of yourself so you can take care of Erik!
yes!!!!!!!!!!!!
Remember to eat tonight, yourself, Karen! ☺
Thanks for looking out for me! They actually have a really good and cheap cafeteria here, including a great salad bar, so I'm actually eating better than when I'm at home! And they have free 15-minute seated massages for oncology patients *and* caregivers, which I'm totally taking advantage of. :-)
Dearest Karen and Family: We/re so happy to hear this. All our love, Judith and Paul
Dear Karen, We have not yet met, which seems strange and I hope we will rectify that soon! I am an old friend of Erik’s from high school now living in Vermont with my partner (who plays French Horn) and a small flock of sheep. I rather belatedly heard about what you and Erik and the rest of your family are going through, as I am very on and off again on Facebook. But once I heard what was going on I signed up for posthope and have been following closely since. I’m so relieved to come home from work today and learn that the surgery went so well. Erik has expressed so much positivity throughout this experience (although I can hardly imagine one could stay positive 24/7) and I’m sure he gets a lot of that strength and positivity from you. Do take care of yourself as you watch over him. And keep us all posted when you can. Thanks so much for sending out this note so quickly, it’s big relief to hear that all went well.
Hi Rebecca, you don't know me from Adam but I'm an old friend of Karen's and an erstwhile workmate and friend of Erik's and I must say your post said it all for me. I concur totally that Karen is a pillar of strength and kindness. Knowing her has been pivotal in my life in ways I am still appreciating. And for whatever small part I played in helping Karen and Erik find each other, I am pleased, as they are one of the finest couples I have ever known, both from lovely families, with a lovely family of their own (replete with requisite eccentric felines...). And they also clearly have many loving friends. I am much relieved that all is going so well so far and I trust that those physically closer to Karen and Erik can give them all the hugs we wish we could.
High fives!!! I'm thinking that all of the static I heard on the radio yesterday was due to the airwaves being jammed with thoughts and prayers on their way to New England. This is the best possible news. Love to you both!
Hi Erik and Karen, Two days post-op and I hope things are beginning to quiet down and you're finding the right rhythm to fit your days. We think of you often (very positive, healing thoughts😊) and with love! Jennifer
This post is now visible on my own blog at https://erikmh.org/post/2017/successful-surgery/