July 24

Judy is continuing to improve day by day. Yesterday, she went down stairs twice and walked the crescent twice. Her breathing is becoming less labored and she is more active with each passing day. Today, we are going for a day trip to the lake.

July 20

We have been home since Thursday evening and I have not posted an update on Judy. Going back to Thursday, Judy felt she could manage the airports without the assistance of a wheelchair. She was wrong. We resorted to wheelchair assistance in Calgary. Judy was too winded to make the walk up the ramp when we switching planes. Once she was in a wheelchair, there were no further difficulties. On Friday, Judy visited her regular doctor, Dr. Dahl. Dr. Dahl has referred Judy to a respiratory therapist. Saturday was our anniversary and for those of you who are Facebook followers, you will already know I expressed my love for Judy by purchasing her a new weed whacker. We had a great day. First, we went to the Farmer's market, then we did a "selfie" in front of the church where we were married. Then we went for coffee at Judy's sister's place because Judy's sister, Audrey, volunteered to make pies and tarts with the Saskatoon berries I stole from over my neighbor's fence. We finished the day with a meal at Haley and Dustin's acreage. Haley made Vietnamese cold rolls and sour soup. Delicious! Yesterday, I pawned Judy off on Audrey so I could go to the lake and golf 36 holes. Judy is getting stronger as the days pass. Her voice still trails off to a whisper in the evenings. She is getting plenty of rest and learning the things she can and cannot do with her decreased lung capacity. I will close by thanking everyone for holding down the fort while we were in Vancouver. Our wonderful neighbors had the lawn manicured, the flowers were all thriving, and there was a treat basket waiting on the table. Thank you to Mary who made us brunch on our first day back and to the Bartsches for their wonderful care package. And thank you for all the cards, messages, prayers, and good wishes. We really feel cared for and loved. It is good to be back with our people.

July 16

We are on our way home in 30 minutes. I wheeled Judy up to the hospital today at 9:30. We sat in X-rays until 11:30. You know, when you are waiting for medical appointments that minutes seem like hours. Reading Zoomer magazine gets old very quickly. Our 10:45 appointment with Dr. Nasir, Judy's surgeon, was at 11:50. He wants to see Judy in 6 months time.

July 15

Tomorrow is fly day, the day before Friday and I am so excited about going home tomorrow that I have butterflies in my stomach. We have the bags packed and are ready to bolt. Judy had a good day. She actually walked down to the nearest coffee shop for a mocha. As mentioned in an earlier blog, the activity that triggers her cough is talking. Of course, this doesn't stop her from talking. Judy has been getting plenty of rest and has been comfortable enough to sleep most of the night. Today, I had a pleasant surprise. My old buddy from high school, Brian Hartzell, met me for a beverage. He flies for Air Canada and was in Vancouver for the day. This evening, Judy's nephew, Justin, met me for another megawalk to Granville Island and the seawall. Earlier today, I biked around False Creek and proceeded past Kitsalano to Jericho Point. Another milestone today: The Diamond Judy Blog reached 16000 hits. Hopefully, the next blog entry will be entered in Saskatoon. Good Night.

July 14

If you are wondering why last night's blog entry was short and to the point without a dash of Alvin, it is because "Her Royal Highness" was looking over my shoulder ready to declare, "Off with your head." Tonight, I am hunkered down in the activity room at the lodge. I have already given the Queen some warm milk, tucked her into bed, and read her a bedtime story so I am back to taking some liberties as you can see. Judy is continuing to do well. We went for our mandatory 3 walks today. Judy even included some stairs. Judy's body is learning to breathe differently. Her recovery from this surgery has been significantly better than after her first surgery. A Few Observations: 1. Remember when you were in the work world and you longed for a day when you had no obligations, chores, or tasks to complete. Be careful what you wish for. My main job here is to show up for meals three times a day. Oh yeah, and I make the beds and do the Queen's bidding. One should not wish their life away waiting for Thursday. To pass the time, I have been reading, watching Ted Talks on Netflix, and playing games on the iPad. Every morning, I borrow a bike from the lodge and do some touring. Yesterday's ride was an hour. Today, I rode for 2 hours. I have toured the Expo site, False Creek Seawall, Granville Island, English Bay, and Stanley Park. Tomorrow's plan is to tour Kitsilano Beach and south. In the evenings, I go for a one hour walk. 2. There are 24 rooms in the lodge.Judy and I are the only foreigners. Most guests are here for chemo or radiation. Seeing people wincing in pain, wearing head scarves to cover hair loss due to treatment, and discussing their battle with cancer is commonplace. Some guests have been here for months. A person we have befriended has been here since February 26. So sad. The upside is: there is a sense of community here with people becoming acquainted, building friendships, then checking out of the lodge. I always rejoice when I see someone waiting in the lobby with their suitcases packed, ready to go back to family and friends. To overcome the boredom, guests utilize the lodge's library, watch TV, read the paper, etc. By far the most popular pursuit is assembling jigsaw puzzles. Without fail, there is a group of hens and a few roosters sitting around a table discussing the fine points of jigsaws. 3. The lawns in Vancouver are wooly brown. There is no prospect of rain here for at least 5 more days. Tomorrow is another day of making the best lemonade out of the lemons we are handed.

July 13

The little lady has had a great day. We went for a short stroll this morning and walked to the end of the block this afternoon. Somewhere in between, Judy had a snooze. We have an appointment with the surgeon on Thursday morning and have already booked an afternoon flight for Thursday afternoon.

July 12

The queen is out. I wheeled her home at noon today. We just finished lunch and now it's time for a beauty sleep. On Wednesday or Thursday, Judy has an appt with the surgeon to make sure Judy is ready to spread her lungs and fly. We met with the surgeon this morning. He is not concerned with the fluid around Judy's lungs. Her lung capacity should increase over the next 6 weeks. Indeed, Judy's stamina increased steadily after the last surgery. The difference this time around is: Judy has less lung. I would recommend not calling Judy when she first comes home. Her voice weakens quickly and talking causes her to cough. As for me, I am learning to lip read. As far as written communication, Judy loves to hear greetings and encouragement from family and friends. Just don't expect her to respond immediatly. Even texting or typing is a challenge at this point. We always love to hear news from home.

July 11

Judy was not discharged today. Rough night. She had a coughing fit near midnight and pulled a muscle in her chest. After a few painkillers and extra oxygen, she slept well until 5. That's a great sleep in a hospital. Her vitals were positive this morning. Oxygen levels, blood pressure, and heart rate were looking good. She was not on oxygen after 5am. Judy finds that she is less likely to cough if she whispers. As you know, Judy is not exactly a loud talker at the best of times, but I have squint lines developing around my eyes and my neck is getting longer trying to hear what she is saying. The present challenge for Judy is shortness of breath. Judy is learning to take it easy. Wash your face, have a rest. Brush your teeth, have a rest. Take a short walk, have a rest. She is also learning to breath from the diaphram. Breathing from the diaphram helps to raise her oxygen levels. There is some fluid around her lung, not in her lung. The doctors are monitoring the situation. Usually, the fluids in the chest cavity are absorbed into the body. Not sure what is going on there. Given today's events, I do not think we will be returning home until later in the week. Judy will likely be checking out of the hospital tomorrow and checking into our room at the Jean C. Barber Lodge. The plan is for Judy to relax and build her strength in preparation for the flight home. On the positive side, Judy is unplugged. She is no longer sporting a heart monitor. She is also getting more bossy, a true portent of good health. The gastro-intestinal channels are also starting to deliver payload, another sign of good health. The weather is cooler again today. Much needed showers are forecast for the next 2 days. Audrey is flying back to Saskatoon tomorrow. It has been wonderful having Judy's favourite sister her for the last 3 days. I will be up early to get her on the train to the airport;therefore, I better hit the hay. Until tomorrow, keep praying for God's speed in all things Judy-related.

July 10

Do you remember my predictions in an earlier blog? " The Riders will play their heart out." They did, but they lost. I'm already over it. Yes, Audrey and I were there at BC Place Stadium courtesy of Judy's cousin Gerry and his wife, Dawn. The biggest disappointment was that I didn't get to dance with the cheerleaders. In Judy news, Judy is probably getting out of hospital tomorrow. The surgeon wants her oxygen levels to be up before she is released. I won't bore anyone with details, but there are always challenges along the way when recovering from surgery. Watching monitors showing oxygen levels, blood pressure, and pulse rate is an emotional roller coaster ride. Recovery takes time. Patience patience. It's not always a joy ride. If Judy does get out tomorrow, we may fly home on Monday. One day at a time. Patience patience. But trust me, Judy is doing well and she is in good spirits. She is truly thankful for all the wonderful people who read this blog and for all the people who know what a precious diamond she is.

July 9

Audrey arrived today. It's always nice to have company when you are trekking to the hospital 3 times a day. The day started off with a bike ride around False Creek from Granville Island to the Expo 86 site and beyond. After the morning visit to the Queen's palatial quarters, I rode the Sky Train to the airport to collect little sister. After our afternoon visit, I met an old buddy of mine for coffee. Judy news: 1. The drainage tube was removed today. 2. Judy went a day without vomiting and nausea. 3. Word on the street has Judy being discharged tomorrow. We will likely have to stay at the lodge for 2-3 days minimum before being cleared to fly. The stay could be longer if there are issues that need to be resolved. 4. Judy is still on oxygen. She may need to have oxygen for the flight home and for a period of time after she returns home. 5. Judy appears stronger today. Last night, we walked 1/4 of the distance around the 12th floor. Judy needed to sit down for a rest before returning to her room. Tonight, we walked the full distance around the 12th floor with Judy yakety yaking as she walked. She made the trek without a pit stop. Thank you for your encouraging words and prayerful support.

July 8

Judy continues to improve. As predicted, the iPhone was delivered upon royal decree. The old flow meter was down to zero for a continuous 8 hours which means their is no air leaking from her lungs. The drain tube should be removed tomorrow. The catheter is out, but walking around the 12 th floor with Judy is like walking with a mangrove tree. There are still the usual residual effects of the pain meds...heartburn,constipation and nausea. Today will be her last visit with The Irreverent David Opheim who flies back to Hogtown tomorrow morning. The Princess of Graham, Judy's sister arrives tomorrow. Tonight's job: wash the queen's hair.

July 7

I start the day with a call from the nursing station. Emergency? No, Judy needs to have her novel delivered. The request from the new regent made me happy. She is well enough to read the day after her operation! After a long walk to Granville Island and a return trip along False Creek, Judy's brother, David, and I delivered the goods to the queen. She looks great. This morning, she had been up for a walk, sat in a chair for one hour, and had a sponge bath. Her breakfast consisted of jello and a cup of coffee. The observation ward is rather quiet compared to the last time Judy was in Vancouver General. She had a restful night and as usual, she has charmed the nursing staff. I told them last night before Queen Judy was delivered to the ward,"You'll love her. She is a real doll." The head nurse confirmed my assessment today. Bold predictions: 1. The catheter will be removed. 2. The epideral will be removed. 3. Nose tube will be removed. 4. Judy will ask for her beloved Iphone 6. 5. We will be watching the old flow meter will make its glacial speed move to zero. 6. I will wear out my flip flops walking to and from the hospital. 7. I will watch the Roughriders play their hearts out on Friday night at B.C. Place Stadium. 8. Judy will request that the King of Kelvington deliver dark chocolate treats to the hospital.

Later that night

Wow! Better news! I went up to see Judy this evening thinking she would already be in the observation ward. The nurses said she had not arrived, but they were just reading her information. They said the surgery was minimally invasive. I said, "You're kidding, we were told this morning that Dr. Nasir was going to open her up." Minutes later, I chanced upon Dr. Nasir coming out of the elevator. He informed me the operation was a success. His team was able to remove the remaining nodules and lesions from the left lung and a remaining nodule from Judy's upper right lung and they were able to accomplish the goal with minimally invasive surgery. Facts: 1. 2/3 of the lower left lobe was removed. 2. After the operation in April and today's surgery, Judy has 55% of her lungs remaining. 3. People can function with 50% lung capacity. 4. Judy only has one drain tube this time. I spent about 45 minutes with Judy this evening. She really is looking quite well. Her voice is still strong and she is recovering well from surgery. Just the emotional lift of knowing the surgery was minimally invasive provided Judy with a huge emotional lift. Thank God who answers prayers in the most suprising ways.

July 6 3:00 pm

I just saw Judy. Everything went well. The surgery was another 5.5 hr marathon. The doctor is calling me after his next surgery so I will give more details later this evening. i can state that her voice sounds stronger than last time. Although she is heavily sedated, Judy claims she feels better than after the last surgery. She is still in the post op area and will be moved to the observation room on 12th floor in 2-3 hours. I will see her later this evening.

July 6

We were up and on our way to the hospital for admitting at 5:30am. Judy's surgery is at 7:30. The surgeon is planning to open her up just like last operation. We were expecting this in spite of hoping for minimally invasive surgery. Judy is doing well and taking on whatever challenges come her way...such a brave lady. The surgery is supposed to be 4 hours, but I won't be able to talk to the surgeon until early afternoon. I will update the blog later in the day.

July 3

We were up at 3:30am this morning and in the air at 5:45am. Arrived in Vancouver, then checked into the lodge by 10 am. This afternoon was pre op. Pre op took most of the afternoon. This evening, I took the little lady out to the Cactus Club for dinner. Judy is feeling well. We are certainly hoping the surgeon will find the minimally invasive approach is the prefered option for surgery on Monday, but we are prepared for the same surgery as last time. Many thanks to all of you for your thoughts, love, and prayers. Thank you, as well, for all the wonderful friends and family who are looking after the homestead while we are in Van City. Our neighbors are going above and beyond the call of duty, as usual. Vancouver is sunny and hot just like Saskabush. While you are on your knees, don't forget to pray for rain.