I got an email today that the new Titleist golf clubs I had ordered custom-fit for my birthday in late October have arrived. Did not know about my current problem when I ordered them but I feel pretty excited about getting a second chance at golf this spring/summer. Do I get a revised USGA handicap next season?
P.S. it’s 1 am and I am wide awake.

Evening has been much better. Just finished a few laps and had a good dinner. Waiting for the Browns to beat the Steelers tonight. This is what they call the ups and downs. Check out my cool scar for the beach. This is the official membership card to the “zipper club”, also called a medial sternotomy incision. Membership has its privileges!

Started this morning so positive, but all the new meds and poor appetite led to a miserable morning. Nausea and lightheadedness were worse than the pain. They tell me that’s just how it goes early on. Not everyday will be a positive step, but eventually I’ll get there. Going to try and motivate myself in a little while. Haven’t been able to do any laps yet today. Thanks for all the comments; they’re helping tremendously. More later. Enjoy your moments.

It was my best night yet. Some rough spots, but did get a few hours of deep sleep. Even had a good dream playin with the kids on a beach somewhere. My spirits are good this morning. Kathy still here, sleeping. Facetimed with the kids last night, that was great. My iPod is really helping. Listening to music at 3am when you can’t sleeps very soothing. Plan on working harder today to get more laps in. First sponge bath today, I think I am getting ripe. Swallowing still uncomfortable but everyday is better. Again, the thoughts and prayers and comments are really motivating. Even if it seems simple, it truly helps; keep them coming. More later.

More tubes out today. Lots of visitors, good for my spirits. Fatigue gets me bad when I do my laps. Chicken soup for dinner was good. Hoping for a good night. Talked with Dr. Markowitz for a long time tonight. He is my life saving hero. He continues to reinforce (as if I had a choice now) my decision to have him do my surgery. He is so caring, meticulous, brilliant, and available. I can’t imagine any other surgeon doing as good a job. Onward and upward. Pain starting to set in, time for a break tonight. Kathy is so amazing. She’ll get me through the night.

Just did three laps around the unit. Felt pretty good to walk. Blueberry pancakes were terrible. Going for grilled cheese/tomato soup for lunch. Ready to show off my scar, it’s a biggie! Still can’t believe I was walking and running and rollercoastering, etc. this summer.

Sleep comes in waves but last night was a better night. Still have a lot of pain, but sitting in a chair now (6am) watching foxnews. Going to try and walk this morning after breakfast. The fatigue is extreme. Working on my breathing. Hard to take a deep breath when your sternum was cut in half. Loooking forward to some more progress today. Ordered blueberry pancakes, my first real breakfast food since Sunday.

Pain is still biggest hurdle. Ate a little food. Sat in chair for about 45 minutes. Hard to breathe, move. Nursing has been great. Family and friends support is appreciated more than words can say. I miss the kids. To Lily, Hugh, and Ella: I miss you and love you very much. Daddy is workin hard to get home. It’ll be a few more days. Let your aunts and uncles read your bedtime stories. If I could give you all a big hug I would. Take care of your mom and the pets. I’ll try and call you tomorrow. Hard to talk right now. To everyone else: thanks for everything. My strength will be the support. Hoping for a better night tonight. Love you all.

Just arrived in my new room. ICU kicked me out. Got my chest tubes out and my jugular vein catheter out. Pain is still intense. Found out my aorta was paper thin and could have ruptured any day. Makes the decision to have all this pain worthwhile. Pain and fatigue worst part now. More later.

Glad it over. Feel horrible with the pain. Can hardly move. Night was very long. Very little sleep. Hopefully leaving ICU today. Waiting for an ice chip ASAP. So dry. More later