Hi friends,
I got home this afternoon. Wow, how fast these last few days went. My brother and sister in law arrived Monday afternoon, we visited a bit, then they picked me up at 5:30 am and arrived at the hospital at 6:00 am. Picture being in a hospital that looks more like a resort, waiting to be taken upstairs and the grand piano starts playing in the lobby. It was quite surreal. It was automatic, the playing I mean, but I thought I would turn around and find a grand gentleman sitting in tux and tails at this piano. That is how the morning began. Then one minute I am saying goodbye to family in pre op holding going to OR, and that is all I recall till about two to three hours later when I woke up in recovery. The cotton ball mouth was the worst. Got ice chips in recovery but not on floor, said no order, so I talked them into swabs with a cup of ice and a little water, and soaked the swabs in this, worked great. Morphine pump took care of pain where I was stabbed five times, but morphine and I don't get along so well I found out, made me itchy and hot. I had them discontinue Morphine before the swallow test next day. Nasty tasting barium, but neat machine and got to see my new pouch and connection and that all was flowing properly. Then got back to my room and loudly announced I could have liquids. Well they got there in two minutes. Talk about overkill. Pitcher of fresh chicken broth, huge bowl of jello, plus something else. Found out the broth was fabulous, couldn't handle jello too sweet, even sf. This hospital has three chefs and all food items even liquids are made from scratch, not the jello. Oh, to get a tray or any food at any time you just dial the extension and order what ever you like within your food restrictions. Just like a cruise ship, minus restrictions of course. Really meals are not delivered at certain times, no menus, no carts, each tray is delivered by a waiter. Cool, and I even ordered broth today in go cup which I have been sipping on all day. I get it now how hard it is to keep sipping and get enough fluids in. I remember Linda Woods said once about tightness in her chest indicating fullness. I think I have had this happen once, not sure. I have so much gas still who knows. Boy, getting rid of that barium is a process, just keeps coming. I walked three times this morning around the nursing floor, actually two circles each of the three times, and several yesterday and once Tuesday night with my brother. Getting the drain out today was a relief and a breeze, did not feel it at all. Will be so glad to sleep in my own bed tonight with no one to wake me up to do stuff to me.
It is just hard to believe I actually had surgery, except for the five stab wounds in my belly. I mean the pain has been minimal, movement has been easy so getting prepared for the worst and hoping for the best worked great for me. Preparing for all this for the past seven months was the most helpful, especially this OFF forum. I was really ready aand knew what to expect. So I start full liquids tomorrow, adding my protein powder, then on to pureed in two days. I know this is a faster progression than some have had but my surgeon said it is what he has found works best.

Thanks for all your supportive comments over these past few days both here and on my support page. Meeting Linda Jones was neat having talked and emailed only. Her experiences over the past two weeks helped me prepare as her surgeon was my surgeons father and they are in practice together. 

My kitty did miss me just like Jan said, but he is playing it cool, especially since I have to keep a pillow on my stomach so he can't jump on me. He took to my brother very well, gracing Chuck's lap with his furry body. They took good care of him.

I highly recommend asking family to come rather than trying to be independent and not ask for help. It was hard for me to ask but they were glad to come and glad to be here and I was so happy to see when I got back from the recovery room. Though they needed to do very little other than care for my kitty, take out the trash, get me a few items at drugstore and grocery, I felt so comforted by their presence.