Seriously the best news in forever. No more NG tube. God, I hated that stupid, terrible, horrible tube. I had a not so good night’s sleep last night, for no exciting reason except I was picturing, over and over, the moment when they would tell me that it could come out and the feelings of sweet, sweet relief would wash over me. It was my little fantasy to encourage myself***. Last night I went all night without suctioning, so I just had this feeling that they would go for it and, indeed, the doctors themselves removed the bag during rounds this morning. And then I wept....after having something so truly hateful in my body for so long it was the most delicious feeling to have it be not there.

I am still raspy and cannot get my voice to come out much above a whisper, which leads me to imagine that my throat is this raw and mutilated landscape. Just giving it time.

I’m walking and walking often to encourage further healing, strength, and digestion.

I will remain on TPN for the next approx 24 hours just to be on the safe side and to ensure that my stomach continues to empty in the correct direction. Tomorrow (happy thanksgiving to me) I will, most likely, get to sample some clear liquids (hmm, the traditional thanksgiving dinner of broth, juice, and jello?). Oh, who am I kidding? I’m just as excited as if I were looking forward to the whole big meal. In fact, I’m pretty sure that Adam is going to cook us the whole big shebang at some point when we get back home, so we can all really enjoy it.

Adam is attributing my remarkable recovery in the last several hours to my acupuncture that I received yesterday evening. I also tried a new medication but....well....I think that there is a lot that can be gained through the combining of various types of medicine. I’m not going to argue with results! We’re going to try and get the acupuncturist to come back in tonight to keep things moving.

I’m not overly fond of the bag of blood and pancreatic juices that I have to carry around at my side. It kind of creeps me out, the way it originates in a small hole in my abdomen and then snakes down my thigh. Theoretically I am able to shower with this bag of blood but I cannot really imagine doing so. Hmm. I think I’ll at least go for a hairwashing in the sink today. I’ve gone back and forth on the personal grooming dimension during this hospital stay. Some nurses and nurse assistants are better than others in motivating and encouraging this particular facet of recovery. Truth is, it kind of wipes me out BUT I will admit that it feels amazing to be nice and clean and smelling good with clean hair. Maybe I will try and shower with my blood bag after all.

Missing Anna so much right now. I cannot wait to see the “pending discharge” sticker appear on my name in the hallway.

****In fact, I even made up a little ditty that I imagined the doctors just might sing as they prepared to remove the NG tube. (To be sung to the tune of “happy birthday”):

    Happy NasoGastric tube Out Day

    Happy NasoGastric tube OUT Day

    Happy NasoGastric tube Out

    Happy NasoGastric tube Out

    Happy NasoGastric Tube Out TODAY!

Followed, perhaps a bit incongruously (but wouldn’t it be fun!) by blowing out some candles just to make the occasion feel a bit more festive.