Sunday, August 8, 2010

Lazy Sunday

Stacey and I are just taking it easy on a Sunday afternoon. I'm still recovering from my surgery but am doing well. She has been doing homework and baking and I have been relaxing and folding laundry. Thanks to everyone for all of the thoughts and prayers for the surgery. I'm excited that it went really well. I many great Dr's working with me and my surgeon is fantastic too.

I'm about to watch my hapless Cubbies play this afternoon. At least if they start to lose I can always just take a nap. (Hahaha!) I am in really good spirits and so happy to have even more cancer removed from my body. Also I am very glad that I am not in too much pain from the surgery. My drain that is in my arm is working good and it is better than having to change bandages every few hours. It does look a little strange out in public though. :) They probably will remove that next week sometime before I start my new Chemo regiment.

It's a great day! I am so blessed! Life is good! Woo Hoo!

Brian Pritchard

Go Hawks! Only 26 days til kickoff @ Kinnick!

Sorry if my thoughts are kind of all over the place on this post. Remember I'm on pain pills! Hahahaha! :)

Friday, August 6, 2010

Surgery was a Success!

Today was the big day, surgery day! Thank you everyone for all your prayers, thoughts, cards, Lasagna, gift cards for 'LAST SUPPER', cubs magazines, scarves, and everything else. We appreciate all the support everyone has shown us during this time. Words can't explain how blessed we are and thankful that all of you out there take so much time out of your life to think of us.


Surgery was successful today. They removed the large masses in his arm that will hopefully propel him to CURING this cancer. Luckily we got squeezed into the surgery rotation earlier then expected so Brian wasn't starving by the time he got in. However, we did have his 'Last Supper' at a new restaurant Bang Bang...=YUM YUM. That held him over until 3 pm today, can you say Man V Food challenge.



This time during surgery they planned it so that no one else was in recovery. Last time we had an issue in recovery, Brian kept trying to help other patients while he was still 'coming to'. This time the nurse said they made sure no one was in there. All the nurses told me that Brian was so nice and how wonderful he was. When I went into recovery he had THREE nurses watching him. I think he may be their favorite. I have some competition! There are no funny recovery stories this time and Brian even wore boxers this go around.

We got Brian home and got him settled into his favorite couch with a Gatorade. The rest of the day was spent watching ESPN, Man V Food, and Cash Cab. Once he got the pain under control we made a quick trip to Maggie Moo's, Brian's favorite. He is now loaded up on PB ice cream for the weekend.

Since so many lymph nodes were removed Brian has a drain in his arm that I get to flush out all week. His drain looks like a grenade, for all you Jersey Shore fans, Brian is taking this 'grenade' for the team.



Below are some pictures on the days events (post surgery).


THIS IS A FORMAL WARNING....you may want to close your EYES at the following pictures. They are not pretty, HaHa.





Brian is 'High as a Kite' on his pain pills...he thinks he is Usain Bolt, slight resemblance.
You can see his drain above. He has to have it for a week, I feel sorry for whoever he shares a cube with at work.




OR he thinks he is the CAPTAIN, not sure, lets just say he is feeling 'HAPPY'






He is really happy here, Maggie Moo's PB ice cream!








Too much Ice Cream, pizza, Gatorade, and pain medication.

You can see what I've been up to, reading research articles.




Brian found his way to his favorite spot on the couch. He has a lovely butt groove right there which I think made him feel better.

No night is complete without watching the 2004 Iowa Hawkeye highlight DVD. If you will notice Roth just destroyed some State player.
After watching his beloved Hawkeyes and taking some medication Brian was able to settle in for the night. Hopefully, we can keep his pain levels down, that is all he is complaining of now.
Thanks for all the prayers for a good day. I can't say it enough, but we appreciate it. You are all amazing.
Stacey