IM FREE IM FREE!!!...well...almost...

Alright, so today I had a talk with Dr. Rolle and he said that he looked at my x-rays and everything is looking like it should be. He said that there's no reason for me to stay in the hospital any longer...except for a few more tests tomorrow :) YAY!!! The plan is that Ill have some more tests tomorrow and leave Wednesday...im really itching to get out of here...I havenÄt held back ordering from the secret menu especially now that I know it will only be for a couple more days...



We also discussed a date for the second surgery. Because both Dr. Rolle and the Anesthesiologist will be on vacation until the last week of October, we decided for the surgery to be preformed on the 4th of November. I'll still have to be back here on the 2nd to do tests and scans etc, but we're hoping that the second lung goes even smoother than the first. The second lung Dr. Rolle said has less metastasis than the first lung so the recovery time should be just that much quicker.



I think the second surgery will be better for me as well because at least I know now what exactly to expect (for the most part) as well as what I need to do to get out as quickly as possible :) The hard part will be the winter weather. At least this time walks etc have been fun due to the wonderful weather...but in November it'll be cloudy and probably rainy...ewww...



But I know more people now to talk to and visit with and who can come and visit me the next time im here. A group of people my age from church came by Sunday night and brought me chocolate and a daisy. We had a fun time talking and they asked if they could come back again before I leave the hospital and more when Im back in November...that'll help keep me sane I think seeing as how I may not be able to go out as much as I have been these past two weeks...



Other than that my mom is doing great...she decided that she wants to be MADE into a Pussycat Doll...We decided that there should be group of moms that remake pussycat doll songs/videos...canät you just imagine it... HUSH HUSH...HUSH HUSH!



By the way...Ive seen soooooo many music videos that I noticed the same laptop being used in the Black eyed peas video for Tonights gonna ba a good night and the Pussycat Dolls HUSH HUSH video...look it up...its the same one...



Talk to you guys later

Bryce

TUBE FREE IS THE WAY TO BE!

They just took out the last drainage tube from me chest an hour ago...it feels amaying to have it out! Every day for the past four or five days one doctor would come in and say, "oh, they'll definately take the tbe out today" and then not ten minutes later another doctor would come in and say, "Nope...not today." The worst was when tha group of doctors came in yesterday and said that today was the day and again, not ten minutes later, Dr. Rolle came in and said that it was a no-go. What made it worst was the fact that I kept waiting to shower etc until the last tube was taken out because it would be less cumbersome etc. So I got more stinky then I think I have ever gotten before in nmy life. Last night I washed myself up 'cause even I couldn't take it anymore. But they came in this morning told me to get shirtless and lie on my side. A few rips of bandage tape, snips of stiches and an odd suction later and I was cleaned up and tube free! The tube squirted a little bit and so I need to aske them for some new sheets...because I may be dirty...but I ain't THAT dirty...ewwww....


So I've been enjoying walking around the hospital without my dancing partner. I would always kick it or trip on it anyways so it's better that we be be apart.

I had the best breakfast this morning. After a week and a half of two slices of bread, a slice of cheese, and two slices of lunch meat I couldn't take their breakfast menu anymore. I heard from the other american patient and her husband that there's a secret menu! ITS LIKE IN'N'OUT! So I ordered an omlette with ham and cheese and mushrooms and tomatoes...it was larger than my hand...and was delicious! I had to pace myself to finish it.

So now all that's left to do it keep doing all the breathing exercises and get outta here ASAP!

...as you can tell I'm of much better spirits than I was the past few days...

Ok...this has to be a quick update...Markus my nurse aid guy snuck me downstairs to check my emails...

So...surgery went well...they found 87 metastasis instead of the 20 or so they thought they would find...and because of that i have a lot more bleeding than usual so ive just been up here the past few days coughing up...A LUNG!...YAY!! but other than that i had one of the two drainage tubes taken out today which felt amaying...it had been bothering me everytime I tried to cough the past few days...

Im out and about walking and going the bathroom (they took out the catheter saturday morning) and so i just need to wait till tomorrow before theyll let me go back to the regualr rooms...LOVE YOU ALL!!!

WHOOOO ARRRRREE YOUUUUU?

So first and foremost...the surgery will be this Thursday morning. My mom and I met with Doctor Rolle (pronounced Roll-uh) and he said that tomorrow we will get the reall pre-op stuff going (shaving, gown, enema etc).

Well...as far as I can tell I made it to Coswig, Germany (pronounced Coes-vigg) in once piece. All of the nurses and doctors canät find anythingm issing...My lungs are good, my x-rays are good and I have a great hole in my ear perfect for the gold hoop earring I've always wanted (instead of finger pricking they do ear pricking...) My mom and I stayed Saturday night in Frankfurt with the sisters family of my TTC co-worker (Encar). Sunday morning we had a great German breakfast (consisted of rolls and cheese and meat slices) and were on our train by 1:20 to Dresden. Once we got to Dresden we got picked up and taken to the famlies house where my mom will be staying...the Vogler family (pronounced Foe-g-ler)...they live 30 min walk from the hospital. We stayed there Sunday night then came to the hospital monday morning.

Yesterday consisted of an EKG, blood test (from the earlobe), and a lung test. The EKG machine felt more like a robotic octopus than an actual EKG. The other EKG's I've had consisted of stickz circles that rip off any hair they come in contact with. This, however, consisted of 8 knobs suctioned onto you and once removed left only a red circular suction mark.

the blood test like I said was taken from the ear. It's only to test the PH balance so they didt have to take a lot. It was odd because they first put on this creme that started burning like icy-hot...that helped bring more blood to the earlobe I guess. Icy to numb the pain...and hot to soothe it away...

After that test I head a few doors down for a lung test. As I entered the room the nurse asked me to take a seat on the chair insied the big plexiglass box. She got my braething tube set up and then locked me in. She had me breathe in and out slowly then faster, normally then realy hard by using voice commands accompannied by extremely exuberant body motions. I had to do the test twice because I laughed in the middle of the test. CAn you blame me? Here I am, sitting on a chair in a clear plastic box with a german nurse flailing her arms up and down as she says, "EINNNN UND AUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSSSSSSS....EINNNNNNNN UND AUUUUUUSSSSSSS!" Anzways...I passed.

The I had a chest x-ray and headed back up to my room with my mom. Well, it's a nice room. Two beds (no roomate so far...and no signs I'll ever get one) and I have the bed by the window which overlooks the park. Its really quiet here. No nurses/doctors running back and forth constantly to check u pon patients. Its very...boring? Ok...yes...boring :) But I'll live...hahaha. The nurses are all extremely relieved when I start speaking german with them...I admit that I let them suffer a bit before I start speaking german...but they all still seem to take care of me.

Yesterday and today has consisted mostly of lung exercises...This morning I had a lung test on the bike...I was shirtless...and sweating...grrrrr...hahaha...they kept doing that ear pricking thing which was hard beacuse here I am trying to ride a bike shirtless, Im sweating, with an arm blood prasure band going off every few minutes (which I had to relax tha arm while it went off) and I had this guy pricking my ear and drawing some blood to be tested...oh...and dont forget the full on breathing mask I was wearing as well...but I made it through. After the bike I got to inhale salt water vapors for ten minutes and then go to gamnastics. I got to translate our half our daily gymnastics class for the american lady whos next door to me (from Fort Lauderdale FL)...it wasnt anything too difficult...lift your arm...now bend to the right...now to the left...and rest...now lift up your other arm...etc...more stretching than real hardcore exercising. After that my mom and I took a walk around Coswig with the lady and her husband. Then afterwards I went back to smoke some salt water for ten minutes...and tonight...sleep :)

Things to be excited for: Shaving my armpit (singular), my TAP-water enema (I liek that they specified that it'll be TAP water) and more smoking salt water :)

I never wrote about the weekend in France. Tre Magnifique. Wednesday I finally got in contact and met up with Luce and Friday we went and got the rental car, came back, got the bags, got a parking ticket, got food, and left for France. 

We had fun. We rode the Chunnel train in our car where we both got to sleep. We finally made it to a hotel near the wedding at about 6:30 am. I got the top bunk. We both crashed we were so tired. If it weren’t for the cleaning lady at 12 that woke Luce up we wouldn’t have made it to the wedding on time. After a mad scramble to get showered and ready we headed off again, both still a little groggy from not getting a full nights sleep. 

Here’s the thing about french weddings that Luce warned me about. She said they never end. I would soon realize how true that warning was.

Part One-The courthouse. In France they must first get married in the courthouse by the state and agree to the legal requirements of marriage. Those requirements included trust, loyalty, respect, both parties helping in raising the children etc. Really good quality legal agreement. So that went from 2-2:30pm. 

Part Two-The Church. Then the couple must be married and united in the catholic church. The church was only a block down the road from the marriage office at which the state marriage ceremony took place so everyone walked; everyone except Luce and I; we drove. The church was beautiful. It was old and unique and charming. The church ceremony stated at 3pm and lasted until 4:30pm. Luce and I were both trying to stay awake. I must admit that it may have been harder for me seeing as how I had no idea what was being said.  Still, it was beautiful. the whole wedding was themed after the french book, “The Tiny Prince.” I think that’s what it’s called in English at least. In french it’s Petit Prince, and in German it’s der Kleiner Prinze. Anyways, the ceremony ended and we made our way to what you might think was the reception, but you would be sadly mistaken.

Part Three-The Drinks/Desserts. We then drove to a smaller city near the church to a place that had drinks and desserts. I had jue d’orange, sandwich surprise and every dessert possible.  They had mini chocolate and caramel eclairs, lemon and fruit tartlets, and macaroons.  I really enjoyed the pistachio macaroons. They also had these sweet unfilled cream puff type things that were sprinkled in large sugar crystals that tasted amazing in my mouth. So light, so puffy, so good. After I ate everything on the table, we left to go get a card for Luce to give to the bride. We went to this small town near the place of the wedding and walked around. Guess who we saw; the missionaries. Anyways, we went and finally found a card but had enjoyed our time a bit too much and realized that we might be late for the pictures that were to start at 7.

Part Four-The Pictures. We missed the beginning, but like everything here it kept going and going so when we got there at 7:30 Luce was still able to get a photo of her and her friend, the bride. 

Part Five-The Hor’derves. While Luce talked I ate again. It seemed that as long as I had something in my face that I was digesting I had no problem that I couldn’t understand a single word anyone was saying. I ate caviar (well, Luce said it was salmon eggs NOT caviar...) french style pigs in a blanket, crab in a blanket, eggs and ham in a blanket, veggies sliced thin on baguette, and orange juice to drink.

Part Six-The Dinner/Presentation. The 5 course meal started at 8pm and the first course went for at least a half hour because after each course they would either show a video presentation or play a game. After course one (fra grais) they showed a video of “how the couple met” etc. Then course two. Salmon stuffed with crab...yum. This is about 8:30-45. Then they played a game with an umbrella where it was played musical chairs style and whomever had the umbrella when the music stopped would have to read what was in one of the envelopes tied to it and promise to do for the couple one of the two things listed. 12 cards for all 12 months. Luce got June the 24th; something about a concert etc. Anyways, I thought dinner was over because apple ice cream came out...turns out it was only to “cleanse our pallet.” Ok. then another presentation, this time about the yogurt factory that they worked at. Their co-workers sang a song. Again, didn’t understand what they were saying. But again, the food came soon after. Course three, la beuff. It was glorious. The meat was so buttery and tender and juicy. I cut my meat with my butter knife. They didn’t even give the guests a steak knife. It melted in your mouth. There was also no other sauce for it. No cream sauce, no bbq sauce, no steak sauce; just meaty goodness. At this point there was another presentation which I can’t remember what it was because I was going; fast. It was midnight by now and I needed to sleep and Luce had noticed. She suggested sleeping a bit in the car. I jumped on that. So I got the keys and by 12:15 I was out. A knock on the window at 2am by Luce woke me up. They had finally finished the other two courses; cheese and dessert, and were ready for dancing. 

Part Seven-Dancing. Yes, at 2am the dancing was about to begin. I figured, I had rested, time to dance! It was so much fun. I danced the french waltz with Luce and thought the whole time; Lacey and I would have rocked this out. Then they did some fun french line dancing which took a few turns to get how it went, but I got a hang of it soon enough. Then we danced just normally and the drunk bride liked my moves. Finally at 4am Luce was ready to sleep. I had had my fill at this point of the wedding. I never thought I would be at a wedding this long; 14 hours. 

I know what you’re thinking, and no, it’s not over yet.

Luce and I get to the hotel and crash again, and again are woken by the cleaning lady at 11; just in time to shower and check out by 12. Now, I was under the same false impression as you all when I thought that we were done with the wedding. Becuase of this false impression I put on the same pants as I wore at the wedding and the same shoes. So I was nervous when I realized that we were driving back to “la Touche” the place of the dinner and dancing of last night. 

Part Eight-Breakfast/Lunch. There’s a goodbye breakfast didn’t you know? Well, Luce told me that this was the lunch, they had already had the breakfast earlier. Yes, earlier. It was about 12:30 and they had already woken up earlier to have a breakfast after dancing all night. So for my breakfast but everyone else’s lunch I had cured ham and brie cheese on a craissant, grilled french style brat on a baguette, yogurt and you guessed it; orange juice. I ate three or four servings and it was amazing. i would have taken more with me if I had plastic baggies. Before we left they brought out more cake leftover from last night. Since I was asleep while they did the cake last night I HAD to try some. It was good. A three layered chocolat mouse cake and a strawberry shortcake type cake filled with strawberry cream. Delicious. 

Finally we left at around 3 pm after saying goodbye to everyone and eating our weight in french food. We got back to the rental car place and back to the apartment by 11pm. And crashed. C'est la vie! 

Its about 4pm on a Thursday afternoon/evening.
Today was a sight seeing day. After yesterdays experience I decided to get a map! A map really did make things go a lot smoother. I walked all around London. I saw Big Ben, and Buckingham Palace. I decided to make a rule for myself. Every time the sun comes out take a nap in the nearest park! I took three hour long naps....it was glorious. There were geese, and trees, and flowers and British men and women in suits lying on the grass. Yet another reason I enjoy London...they look sharp WHILE enjoying the parks.

Side note: Two things I want in life; an umbrella with a wooden handle and a nicely tailored suit.

The three naps made my day a lot easier on the feetsies. Yesterday when I got to the hostel my feet were sore. As of now, they are doing fine!

OH! I got an email from Dr. Rolle (the surgeon in Germany) saying that he got all the cd's etc and that we're still on for the 14th...YAY!

Well....'til next time!

Ello...!

Greetings from London...after three days of travelling I finally made it...and its raining...I guess the rain gives London it's charm right! Lacey brought me to the LAX airport Monday morning at about 6:30am. By 7:30 I was at my gate...which left me 1.5 hours of napping before boarding the plane. I sat next to a couple visiting from Queensland, Australia. They were flying to visit Miami, FL. I enjoyed talking to them...mostly because of their accents though. they told me how good Kangaroo and crocodile taste...I promised them that if I ever went to Australia that I would try them out. That flight took me to Texas. Then I had to jog a bit to catch my next flight to Chicago. that flight was relaxing...I slept the whole way 'cause no one was sitting next to me. Once I got to Chicago I had about a 30 min wait before boarding...I sat next to a guy my age in the Army going to be stationed in Frankfurt. we talked a bit but it was already 7-8 pm and I was le tired. this is when the days and times all seemed to mix together. We landed in Frnakfurt at 11am Tuesday morning. I found out that my connecting flight to London was not at the same airport...and that it didnt leave until Wednesday morning at 6am....So I took a bus to Frankfurt (Hahn) ; about 45 minuted away where I sat and talked with an Italian lady named Anne and a British kid whose name I forgot. When I got to Frankfurt(Hahn) I tried to get on the flight leaving at 6pm Tuesday but alas...they weren't going to allow that...so, I got a hotel room. 50 Euro...breakfast included. I kept falling alseep then waking up...falling asleep then waking up. I had no idea what time it was which threw my head for a loop. At 4:30am my wake-up call came and I could tell that it was going to be a long day. Well...it's only 10am and I still dont know where I'll be staying tonight...I foudn a few places that Im going to stop by and see how "cheap" "cheap" really is. All in all im just glad to be on the ground for at least 2 weeks.

Hope you're all doing great and I'll write again soon...

PS-There's a restaurant below me called Dirty Dicks Tavern...heehee...