Date: 2008-05-11 05:18 Subject: [cancer] I'm baaaaack Security: Public Location: OHSU Hospital Mood: alive Music: helicopter on the roof Tags: cancer, personal

Walked a little bit yesterday. Who knew bipedal locomotion was such an achievement? (Not to mention typing.)

I spent a bunch of last night dreaming I was pooping. Ah, wish fulfillment.

More later when I have more energy.

I am alive.

Date: 2008-05-11 15:04 Subject: Guest Blog: Jay Lake and the Amazing Robotic Bed Security: Public

Trailer Boy back for a second helping. Once more, Dad's letting me take the ole Lakeshore Blog out for a spin. I'll try not to bang up the bumpers or back over anything.

Just saw Jay at the hospital looking resplendent in his gown and thermal massage socks. He was in good spirits. He ate orange jello (not his favorite), had some chicken broth, sipped flat soda and grape juice. He'd already had a full day -- two walking trips of about 200' (see the IV cam below). He has to do two more walking trips today. At one point, he warned us that once he pressed the Happy Button he might drift off. Then, he had us plug back in his amazing robotic bed before he nodded off.

Again, we heard that the docs are very pleased with how it all went.

He's surrounded by family and in very good hands. He's eagerly awaiting the Advent of Fartiness that will signify things are working as they should in his nether regions.

The child was due soon when we slipped out. But I counted one girlfriend, two Moms, two Aunts and a Dad all in attendance.

That's all the news that's fit to print. Continued well-wishes are appreciated!

And as always, Jay is grateful for your support and positive thoughts!

Date: 2008-05-11 22:40 Subject: Life on the hill Security: Public Location: OHSU Mood: sleepy Music: Jay breathing Tags: cancer

Hello all of you wonderful people. On behalf of Jay and myself, thank you for all of the words of encouragement and support. He may not be posting much, but he is reading comments as he feels up to it. Keep ‘em coming!

Here we are at the end of day 3. Jay is sound asleep and I’m sitting here watching the twinkling lights of Portland from the Presidential Suite on the hill. No, really. On Saturday Jay couldn’t sleep because of the volume from the roommate’s television and I went to the Charge Nurse to see when the TV curfew was. He (who we now refer to as Awesome Shawn) moved us to the single room he had available which is the room they reserve for VIPs. So the Rockstar is in the Rockstar room as it should be ;) We have a spectacular view of the river and the mountains, the room is twice as big as any other private room I’ve seen on the floor with a separate kitchenette area and huge bathroom, we have a large television with a DVD player and plenty of room for the extra bed they provided me :)

As large as the room is, we’ve managed to fill it up a few times with family. We have the two moms, the dad, aunt #1, aunt #2, the sister, the child, the niece, the mother of the child and me as well as a few honorary family members. Jay says thanks to those of you who have offered to stop by, but he would prefer not to have additional visitors.

Since Jay had open surgery rather than laparoscopic, he has one heck of an incision. 20 centimeters vertically running from his belly button southward with between 25 and 30 staples. The incision site looks fabulous – no discoloration, no separation. All of the doctors and nurses who look at it say that it just doesn’t get any better. There are pictures and Jay will post them when he's back at it. We opted for an epidural during surgery, which continues to be the method of pain management. His pain level is usually at zero or one, however after walking it has gotten up to 3. We are very pleased. Much less loopiness with this route, too, which has been wonderful. I believe they will be transitioning him to oral medication by Tuesday.

As you can imagine, with an incision like he has, getting up and down without damaging it can be a challenge. The physical therapist was in yesterday to teach Jay how to get out of bed without ripping staples out. He went for one walk yesterday and today he took 5 – count ‘em – 5 walks. A few of them were double laps around the floor. Y'all don't worry – he isn’t overdoing it. He is doing what he is able to, no less and no more. He is committed to doing whatever he needs to do in order to get better.

Nothing too exciting happening and that is a very good thing. I should try to get some sleep before the next nurse visit, so that’s all for now. Remember to keep those comments coming and we’ll return you to your regular Jay programming very soon!

-Adrienne