Can you believe Kim's dad walked a mile today?

I am so thankful for God watching out over my dad at Duke. He is on the cardiothoracic surgery step down unit and will be there for his stay. He has alot of tubes: IVs, heart monitor, feeding tube, catheter, chest drain tube, epidural pain control (have I forgotten any?). he doesn't have oxygen any more though. They encouraged him to walk 3X/day, at least 2-3 "laps around the unit. He walked 6 the first times!!! (with a rolling walker to help manage tubes and for stability). He then did this 2 more times. A sign on the unit wall said that 18 laps equaled a MILE! So... my dad was able to walk a mile the day after an esophagectomy! I pray that this is not to good to be true.

HE will have the epidural pain pump 5 days (I think) --so hopefully pain won't be a huge problem afterwords. HE also gets other pain meds as needed. I posted a picture of all of us on his caring bridge and face book.

It is strange that he can not eat or drink anything. I have seen that on this site many times---but didn't realize how hard or strange it is for them. The rest of the world is getting a meal and he can't have a sip of water... baby steps.

Apparently there were abnormal cells at the margins, but they did not look like cancer. They thought that they were deformed form the radiation damage--he apparently got the maximum treatment. Those pathology results won't be back for a week---so we can't get to take things for granted!

Thanks for all the prayers. Prayers from me go out to those who jsut had procedures & surgery (Donna & pgmomma's dad for example) and for all those who can't have surgery and are dealing with different stages of treatment. Stay strong and positive for your family and self! Don't give up HOPE--even if it is for small things.. think of the glass half full rather than half empty!

My dad always said "No matter how bad you have it, someone has it worse!" some may think this is corny---but this is part of a song that just popped into my head:
"rejoice--this is the day the Lord has made!" How often did I used forget that??? not any more...
Kim