No this is not about an arcane episode of Star Trek – although it is about a very fast trip through a very different space. It is the last thing I saw yesterday on the white board of my hospital room as I left for home. Pod (post-operative day) 3 was the day I returned home. The fact that I was able to leave the hospital only three days after major surgery is the result of the good work and good wishes of lots of folks. My surgeon James Crutcher is amazing. Not only is he great in the operating room but you should hear the nurses talk about his dedication to patients. The entire operating room staff, from anesthesiologist to nurses, were superb – well, they must have been because I expressly asked the anesthesiologist not to let me remember anything about the procedure, and I don’t. I can say that the results were impressive.
Swedish hospital and the staff of nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists were gently persistent in getting me back on my feet in less than 12 hours after the operation. No matter what I might have said at the time I am grateful for their nudging. Then there is Brett Lezamiz, physical therapist extraordinaire - part drill sergeant, part cheerleader – who got me in good shape for my own private marathon.
The role of family and friends at a time like this is more important than I think I realized. Flowers, books, cards, emails (not at the hospital, silly), telephone calls, and prayers go a very long way in providing a base of love and understanding that accelerates the healing process.
If there is one critical key to recovery it has to be Bob. He went with me to pre-op exams and meetings. He was there before the operation and he was in my room when they wheeled me back. He was there every morning and every evening even as he was trying to carry on with his work. He prepped the house, brought me flowers, got the medicine, went for groceries, and fed me. This afternoon as he was changing a dressing I said, “When we promised for better or for worse I bet you weren’t thinking of this.” He smiled and I realized that for me this is part of the “for better.”
I expect that this will my last post on this topic since I don’t really want to turn The Pacific into a medical blog. My having more time to read and dream will, no doubt, influence posts for the next few weeks. I look forward to sharing what I discover.
And here's another I just can't resist sharing. So, you make the call. I could never have gotten the sharpness or the soft bokeh with any other lens I own. You might also want to notice how really cute the kids are. 
