Grandma's Attic

December 5th, 2008

Just look at him! He's so handsome and looks so good!Grandpa Dee is just recovering beautifully. He'll be good as new by Christmas, so come on over and visit.

December 6th

It seems to me that everyone now days uses the computer or some other machine to communicate with each other. I for one like a real letter, on paper, I need something to hold in my hand, and re-read later on, especially on a day when I don't get any other mail. My Dad used to say, "It's just as good to get out an old letter and re-read it. A real thing, that you can feel, then store away for another day, when you're feeling alone." I'm afraid that our thoughts, our inner thoughts that we don't say out loud, but only write down, will be lost to future generations. That will be a sad thing.

SURGERY SUCCESS!!!

Dee was only in surgery for 3 hours, and things went really well. Dr. said his heart is great, just the valve was bad. Five days in the hospital, a few days at Elaine's in Boise, where we also celebrated Thanksgiving with the Rudds, the Brian Fullers, and the Hill family from Idaho Falls.

Here we have Dee showing Colton how the breathing instrument works, to keep the lungs clear. On the back of the couch is Sir. Koff-a-lot, his bear friend to hold to his chest when he coughed, to protect the incision. I was going to show you that, but Dee vetoed that one.

This of course was our first glimpse of Dee after the surgery, in the ICU So many machines !

and lots of tubes. The 'rule book' said 5 to 7 days in the hospital, and we got out on the 5th day. Hooray!!! He was more than ready to vacate that place. No sunshine and fresh air.

This is Karen's family, plus David and us. It was really nice that

they could come for a couple of days. Family cheers up

sick people.

Now we're home, safe and sound, and we have 4-6 weeks to slow down the pace of life and let the body heal. All in all, he's just done really really good, and with December here, we can just kick back and enjoy the winter.

Thanks to everyone for the prayers, that's why he got through the hard part so fast.

Most of all, thanks to the Rudds, especially Elaine who went above and beyond to make our stay comfortable, especially considering she and Curt both had colds.

The Doctor said it will probably add 15 years onto his life. Dee's not sure he wants to be 90!

Today is Thursday the 20th of November. Dad had his surgery yesterday in Boise, and is doing well. He is still in the cardio ICU and will probably be there for another day. He was awake and had the air tube out within about four hours after the surgery. We were told that we were only allowed to have one visitor at a time every hour for 10 minutes. Today Mom and David went to the Hospital and were told they could stay as long as they wanted. So of course mom did. I am sure that is where she is supposed to be. More later!

Elaine