Hi everyone! I'm writing my own update this time. Here's what's up:

• I'm now on a full fluid diet, which means I can have milk and soups and oatmeal and stuff like that rather than just Jell-O and juice. I will likely never eat Jell-O again as long as I live.
• I had a procedure yesterday to attempt to remove the one remaining gallstone, but they couldn't remove it. They did cut a hole near it and are hoping that it will eventually get flushed through the hole safely into my bowel. As of this morning, it's still there, but the doctor's not surprised.
• They were trying to get me home this weekend, but I get the impression (not 100% sure on this) that they won't let me go home until they know the stone is gone. Unfortunately, the fact that this is a long weekend means that they won't be able to check again until at least Tuesday.
• All drains and tubes have been removed or clamped, and I'm not getting anything via IV anymore.
• I went for a walk outside in the beautiful weather with Gail today. It was amazing.
• I have been diagnosed with a common hospital infection (called MRSA) that is basically harmless to me and "normal healthy" people, but could be harmful to other patients with suppressed immune systems. Nurses have told me that being in the hospital as long as I have been (eight weeks tomorrow), it was pretty much inevitable that I would end up with this. As a result, I have been put in isolation. Advantage: big private room! Disadvantage: Visitors must wear special gowns and gloves when they visit me, then take them off when they leave the room. I have to wear the gown and gloves if I leave the room. It's pretty inconvenient, but hey - private room!

Happy Easter everyone!
Graeme

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UPDATE April 2:
The morning after I wrote all that, my surgeon came into my room and said "It appears you have been given some incorrect information. The stone is gone." After I did a little happy dance, he asked "Do you want to go home today?" I, of course, said sure, and he said he'd begin the discharge procedure. I called Gail immediately and she packed the boys into the van and came to the hospital, and by 2:00 in the afternoon I was HOME.

The entire ordeal is not over, of course, I still have lots of recovery ahead of me, but I think sleeping in my own bed and just being here with my family will help to speed things up.

Graeme