Thursday 1 October 2009

Michael's home and doing GREAT!

overcast, spitting, damp and cool temps 6

Michael's out of surgery and home - sitting in the living room in his sweats drinking a HUGE cafe au lait and eating a pastry. All is right with the world!

Phew.

His eye is covered with a big blue plastic patch (someone not long ago hilariously commented on the blog that he could take up a second career as a pirate, if need be. 'Have you ever been to sea, Billy?' Arrgh).

Hardly any pain - just a bit of scratchy feeling. I went out and got him some Tylenol - and the coffee.

We arrived at the Montreal General around 8:30...they took him right away to change and prep, and I had to go three floor up to the waiting room. Four hours later they took him, and an hour after that he was finished. By 2:30 we were home.

The doctor is VERY pleased with what he saw. And now Michael just needs to stay quiet - so his plans for the triathalon are on hold. Very disappointed too that his plans to train for the Iron Man must be cancelled.

We have a 6:15 appointment tomorrow morning (I KNOW - can you believe it???) for the doc to see if it looks like he saved the eye. The operation was for glaucoma - sort of. Michael's had glaucoma for 30 years and it has been brillaintly managed - but an operation he had about 10 years ago to relieve the pressure finally failed. We all knew it would and just hoped in the meantime another procedure might have been developed. Basically, his eye has been leaking and if it kept up he'd go blind before too long - but just in that eye, thank God. And - how fortunate!!! An operation has been developed to repair this very problem, involving a shunt - which i keep think of as a railway event, or a tap. I suspect it is neither.

So tomorrow, more news... But it's looking great - and we will live in the great good fortune of today - to have the operation over!!! And mouths full of pastry. And being together.

Mostly, Michael and I want to thank all of you. For your active prayers, for your thoughts and good wishes. For your messages, written and unwritten, but all received.

People have far worse things in their lives...many of you are facing worse things, I know. And yet you take the time to reach out to us. Michael has asked me to thank you sincerely. And I thank you too.

Bless you. Thank you.

16 comments:

Lee Ann said...

I'm so happy to see this Louise! And I am really glad that it's not me with the 6:15 am appointement!

Jeanine said...

Thank you so much, Louise, for the update. You must be so unspeakably happy and relieved to have the surgery overwith. We will all look forward to learning the results tomorrow.

You must have taken your laptop with you to the hospital as I received a response from you regarding your newsletter early today. I could just picture you sitting there in the waiting lounge typing away on it. Anything to occupy your mind, right?

Have a wonderful evening.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for updating us, Louise! I've been thinking of you two today. An answer to prayers. Get some rest this evening.

By the way, you need to go over to Jen's Book Thoughts and see the really fabulous review that she wrote about THE BRUTAL TELLING. It brought tears to my eyes. She is 100% right, by the way! :-)

lil Gluckstern said...

I'm so glad that Michael is doing so well, and of course indulging what you two do so well-eating good food. You certainly have earned it. Good luck tomorrow morning. Will check on you all when I get up.Got my fingers crossed.

Lil

Elizabeth D said...

Thank you, Louise! I was afraid we'd have to wait until tomorrow to hear whether it went well. So glad the signs look promising.

--Elizabeth D

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

damned shame about that triathalon. I was looking forward to pulling for Michael in that.

Hoping for more good news tomorrow!! Fingers Crossed!!

Shelagh Davis said...

Dear Louise, So happy to read the good news of Michael being home so soon after his eye surgery. Hoping you have really good news tomorrow morning. Thank you for letting us know about Michael.
Bless you both, Shelagh D.

Bev Stephans said...

I'm so pleased that Michael came through the surgery with flying colours. You are both in my thoughts and I look forward to reading tomorrow's update

Jen Forbus said...

Yay! What happy, wonderful news! When Michael can be noisy again, it's cause for celebration!!

Larry Marshall said...

Sorry to hear that Michael's triathalon plans have been dashed. I'm certain the other competitors are dancing in the streets as they'll now have a chance at victory. Glad to hear your pirate is doing well, however.

Confession time. Last book I waited until you came to Quebec City to buy it. I couldn't wait this time and bought it yesterday so you'll just have to sign a used copy when you get here. Sorry to be so self-indulgent.

Cheers --- Larry

Jeff Barbalics said...

Glad Michael is on the mend and hope the appointment goes well and the eye gets better.

Years ago, I had an accident involving a ladder that resulted in necessary plastic surgery (major bandages on my nose) and a scratched eye (eyepatch), so, for 2-3 days, until I could take thde eyepatch off, I looked BOTH like a Star Trek Bajoran AND a pirate!

Enjoyed all your books and will finish 'The Brutal Telling' at lunch today. Best wishes!

Bobbie said...

Ahoy Mateys!!! YAY! Thank you Louise, for keeping us informed, yes as you both know we do care so much.

Relax, rest, have fun smiling at each other (that's a guess, but I bet there are some smiles in your home today), enjoy this good news. Very best wishes on the early appointment--consider THAT your triathlon. ;-)

Very best wishes to you both,
Bobbie

Anonymous said...

Great news that the opertion went so well. Hope the rest of the news is good. Phyllis

Anonymous said...

Just sending my best wishes for a speedy recover for Michael.
Kris

Amy said...

I'm very glad to hear that it went well and that he will be alright, definitely something to be thankful for this season. Thanks for the update.

Amy

Louise Penny Author said...

Hi everyone,

I can't tell you how wonderful it has been to sit here at home (the country seat - appropriately, acres of seat) and read your beautiful comments.

Michael and I have been sustained through this quite stressful time by all the kindness.

Love your humour, love your warmth, your energy. your compassion.

Thank you! And now the worst is done - phew. Great news from the doc...hoping it was the doc and not the janitor. Oh well, we'll take good news however it comes.

Thank you so much, all of you. As this has progressed, and come closer, I have read and and every one of your posts with gratitude. As I do today.