There's Something Wrong With This Picture...

...because Tim has been a model patient. He has done so well that, always subject to change, it is looking like he will go home on Monday after dialysis.

He's passing all of his tests with flying colors. His NG tube was removed this afternoon, and when I talked with him by phone, it was like talking with ... well ... Tim! His voice was more animated, and he feels that his physical movements are getting more animated, as well. He's not ready to dance a jig ... probably couldn't handle a waltz yet ... but improvement is evident.

The show-off bragged that he took five laps around the nursing unit's triangle by himself. That's 5/18 of a mile, the equivalent of walking slightly more than a quarter-mile oval running track around a football field. Earnest, the reporter left on site, said that Tim washed his face by himself (with the med lines and access ports in both of his hands/wrists, that's no mean feat!) and did something to his hair. I do have to report that he has had a few bad hair days.

He was given his first hospital food tonight - broth. A far cry from our plying him with Chicken Marsala the night before surgery, but a good first step. Solid foods should come tomorrow, and if, um, all systems are go, then he should be cleared for release.

It's hard to believe that the most major issue Tim faced over these last few days was that the surgery was delayed by three hours. Otherwise, the experience has been virtually fairy-tale perfect. If the transplant goes as well for both Tim and Ann, then we will all know that our prayers have been answered.

-- Brian Burke