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Beginning late Sunday afternoon when different groups of doctors made rounds, Lee was told that if he continued to do well, he would probably be discharged on Monday.  As you can guess, Monday was spent in preparation for the visit by the only doctor who could officially discharge him.  Finally, she arrived around 4:00 p.m. and discharged him with instructions to return in one week to her clinic for removal of sutures.

We finally arrived at the hotel around 5:00.  Lee was very tired from the packing, dressing, and all the issues that are necessary in order to leave.  We decided not to drive the three hours during most of the rush-hour traffic through Durham, Greensboro and Winston Salem. 

After a night of rest, we were on the road by 8:30 the next morning.  Lee did well on the ride, but did not drink enough water.  Today he has had a low blood pressure and some arrhythmias.  I have been forcing fluids today.  He is feeling better, but the BP is still low.  It will probably take 24 hours of extra fluids to refill his blood volume!

The graft on his forehead and scalp looks good, and all the suture areas around his face are showing signs of healing.  The grafted area on his right wrist is still very painful as well as the donor site on his left leg.  The donor site on his leg must be kept open to air, so we are glad the weather is warm enough for shorts.  Unfortunately these next two week-ends are filled with graduation and we will not be able to attend them.  Don't believe short pants would be acceptable at those, especially since the site must be open and exposed!

We will miss seeing our daughter-in-law, Donna be awarded  her Master's degree in psychology and counseling.  Lee will not be able to attend granddaughter, Michaela's high school graduation, but am hoping that I will since she is only 30 minutes away.  There are so many events that are on our schedule for the next two months and right now we are putting everything on hold.

We are grateful that the doctors feel 100% sure all the cancer was removed, and that there was no cancer in the lymph nodes along the side of his face, neck and ear.  We will get the report on the pathology of the parotid gland on Monday.  It has been suggested that radiation should be the next phase of his treatment.  We are waiting to discuss that on the next appointment.  Lee views radiation as negative, so do not know what his decision will be. 

The anti-rejection drugs have been reduced by one-half in an effort to try to reduce or prevent any further skin cancers.  That, of course, opens the door for possible rejection if his immune system begins to get stronger.  It is a precarious balancing act of trying to find the middle ground between the rejection and the complications of the anti-rejection drugs.

Lee accepts all of this so much better than I.  Each time he experiences another episode of complications, I am the one who grieves and he comforts me in my distress.  Again and again, I am thankful to have my background in the medical field.  I suppose, this one thing helps me realize that Yes, we can get through this, and Yes, I can be the nurse, the wife and the caregiver to one who means so much to me.

More Later.............................................Brenda














































The one thing