Out of the woods but not quite home

Yesterday's surgery was a success in that clear margins were achieved. Pete came back with his leg bandaged from his toes all the way up, with a drain from the wound, and his leg immobilized in a brace. The dr. was pleased with how it went and explained that the *portion* he removed was 11 cm long, 7 cm wide and 3 cm deep. Being a little slow in metric conversion, it took me awhile to realize that he was really saying 4.33 inches long by 2.75 inches wide by 1.81 inches deep. It was the 1.81 inches deep that took my breath away once I figured it out. It bled quite a bit in the night and when they changed the dressing this morning it looked rather like he'd been bitten by a shark...a little shocking at first look. The dr. originally indicated he might call in a plastic surgeon, but didn't. He just stretched the skin and put in a heck of a lot of stitches underneath and a lot of staples on top.

We had hoped that Pete could come home today, but the dr. said no, and so after a room finally became available this afternoon, he was moved up to the surgical ward from day surgery. He felt good for much of today but late this afternoon started feeling bad again. It is really hard to have to lay on your back to protect your leg when your back gets REALLLLY mad at you when you lay on it. He always sleeps on his side and laying on his back aggravates his hip AND his back. We tried everything and every position possible to make it more bearable, but nothing was helping. He also got a little behind on the pain curve, which certainly didn't help. So, a couple more doses of pain meds, and he was hoping for an early night.

I didn't come home yesterday but stayed close to the hospital at a friend's house (thanks, Linda!). Tonight I HAD to come home for a change of clothes (I wasn't prepared for his extended stay) and some rest - everybody knows there is none to be had at the hospital.

My new boss (a twice-breast-cancer-survivor) has been most gracious in granting me time off after only two weeks on the job. Tomorrow is the first day of school and I certainly hate to not be there, but bringing Pete home from the hospital has top priority.

I'm sure there is much more to say, but I am far too tired to have a single intelligent thought. One thing, though...we are so very grateful for all the prayers and support. We are indeed abundantly blessed.