a solid week of pain with no real relief is really starting to get old. my lower back feels like it is broken. sitting in the recliner all day puts pressure on my back. i usually feel the best when i wake up in the morning after laying flat all night. taking a shower is very difficult. our shower is fairly small. we tried putting a chair in it for me to sit on, but that didn't work. i have to stand on my good foot and lean against the shower wall and make things quick. my left leg is like a limp noodle. if i put any pressure on it, it just buckles. this really make me think about the difficulties that handicapped people have. small things like getting through doorways and using the bathroom can be difficult and take a lot of energy.

we took a picture of my scar for those of you that are not faint at heart and would like to see it, click here.

well i made it through the dreaded surgery. it has been one of the longest and most painful weeks of my life. my experiences have been varied from great to excruciating. too much has happened and to post it all here would not be possible or practical. i will sum things up in as few words as possible.

according to the doctors the surgery was a success. they removed the bone tumor and replaced it with the metal implants. i have a single incision about 15 inches long along the outside of my leg. it looks very clean and is held together with staples. i have some minor swelling in my knee and ankle. at this moment the pain is moderate. compared to the delirious pain i experienced the first 2 days after the surgery the pain is not much more than a headache. it is a long story but basically my IV penetrated the vein and i was not getting the morphine. it was leaking into my arm making it swell and my hand turn black and blue. my dad happened to notice it and had to inform some of the incompetent nurses. once I got a new IV the morphine took hold and controlled the pain.

anyways, i am just glad to be back in my home and out of that hospital. they told me for 3 days in a row that i may get to go home the next day. i had to stay so long because fluid was still draining from my leg. we had to wait until it all but stopped before i could leave. i am scheduled to go back for a check-up in 2 weeks. i am not supposed to bend my knee until then. it will be close to 6 weeks before i can put full weight on my left leg. right now i have a walker and crutches to use to get around and a knee stabilizer i am supposed to wear whenever i move from place to place.

these next few weeks are going to be painful and difficult but i have a positive outlook and tons of support. i will find out in a couple weeks about the rest of my chemo treatments. i feel confident that i will only have a few more. thanks again to everyone for the support. words can't express my gratitude.