A silver lining ... there always is! I found out that a very dear, old friend of mine -- we worked together first
more than 30 years ago and stayed friends, even though we're on opposite sides of the continent -- reads this blog occasionally.
That was gratifying.
The operation went exactly as expected. No problems...except my right shoulder muscles/nerve became stretched or
irritated during the surgery. The patient is placed on the left side (for right kidney); right arm, I'm told, is stretched
over head to keep it out of the way. My forearm and hand are fine...the right shoulder is weak and the right side of
my neck has been very sore. I've been quite light-headed; I think both because of the pain pills, normal recovery, and
the shoulder/neck issue. Although I really have not taken or needed many pain pills since leaving the hospital.
The surgeon was very upset when we discovered this -- it was worst at 4 a.m. ET on Nov 5 -- but I did hear the results
of the Election fine! I was awake when this new door in history was opened. The surgeon immediately called in
a neurologist. I had 2 MRIs (interesting experience); neither showed any type of injury, although the one did confirm
that I have arthritis of the spine ("not uncommon for your age." I hear that a lot lately...hummmmm.). I also had EGM
(?) and other tests -- I was stuck with needles and shocked with electricity. The neurologist (an older doctor told
me I'm a "cool dude" for my attitude throughout the 45 minute procedure!) The result was that I have very minor nerve
damage that will come back with physical thearpy
I am now taking physical therapy and doing my exercises faithfully and my shoulder is improving slowly. I'm assured
by the surgeon, neurologists, and physical therapist that if I stick to the regime, I should be pretty much back in business
by the early part of December. FYI, yesterday I would not have been able to type this much as fast as I'm typing. (Oh,
one side effect may be a decline in grammar & spelling! ;-)
The staples were removed yesterday (Nov 12). As far as the tumor, it was completely contained in the kidney. The
first indications were that is was benign. However, the pathologist is doing one more test. There evenidently
is a fine line between benign and a certain type of malignancy. If malignant, it is the mildest form. We
will likely know for sure in the next week. Either way, it's out of my system If it is benign, no worries of recurrence
and the the growing tumor can no longer threaten kidney function. If not, well, recurrence is unlikely since it was
completely removed.
I have to include 2 other stories (since my shoulder is holding out as I type at 2:20 a.m. and I'm not particularly tired).
1) The neurologists who did my EMG tests is the Iranian doctor who recommended that Richard Queen be released when the
1979 hostage crisis happened. Richard Queen had MS, was released to Switzerland; President Carter sent a plane to pick him
up and bring him home to Georgetown Hospital. The doc also helped other family members of the U.S. Embassy hostages.
What an experience to talk with the man -- certainly took my mind off the electrical jolts. Today he is a wonderful American
citizen -- I certainly am glad he's here to tend to me.
2) The Am Embassy Kinshasa Family raised US$250 for flowers for me (via a bake sale hosted by the Community Liaison
Officer). Instead of flowers, they did as I asked and split the $$ between Grace de Dieu Orphanage & StandProud.
And, the Embassy Marine contingent is occasionally playing scoccer with the boys recuperating at the Stand Proud center -
amazing what those kids do even in old fashioned. "Forrest Gump" type braces.
Odile told me when they delivered $$ & food to GDD, the children were not in good shape. The rising price of food;
instability in East Congo, and the worldwide economic situation are having an effect on the orphans. When I get
back, Odile & I will deliver the school supplies my friend's 2nd grade class, and my nieces & nephews (including
greats and great-greats - I have a huge family) collected for the orphans.
OK...one more update: Yes, the war in the East is as bad as you read in the paper. The Embassy team is working
feverishly in Kinshasa; the Dept of State is working tirelessly here. Bill's been busy here by blackberry & in the
State Dept when I was feeling well.
Remember (look at map), Kinshasa is 1,000 miles from Goma, where the fighting is. I'm told by Embassy friends that
everyone is more wary (always a good thing wherever you live) but all is pretty much normal in Kinshasa.
Bill goes back to Congo today (Nov 13). My nephew arrives this evening and I have many other sources of support.
It looks like I will be able to go back on Dec 9 (when the Embassy scheduled my next "tentative" flight).
That means I will be back in Kinshasa for the Annual Employees Recognition Day on Dec 12. YEAH.
As I said before, God dealt me absolutely the best hand anyone could get in this situation. Thank you to all for
your warm thoughts, kind gestures, and prayers. It all makes a difference.
Now I'm about at the shoulder's limit -- although still better than I expected -- and I'm tired. So good night!
Humbly....until next time....
