Now we’re into the short strokes…

Jon’s epidural was turned off at 10:30 this morning, so he was allowed to take a wheelchair stroll anywhere in the hospital rather than be restricted to the one floor (opiates—in the big, honkin’, easily-obtainable syringe on top of the infusion pump—are not allowed to be taken outside). We rode the elevators up and down for a good long while (I get the impression that staff are used to patients doing this), then took a walk to the far end of the hospital for a Timmy’s doughnut.

All his tubes were taken out at 3:30 this afternoon. As of 9:00 in the evening he’s feeling fine, with all pain management completely taken over by oral meds. Much better managed than five years ago.

Thanks for today go to visitors Pamela and Jeff, Andy (we’re so sorry to have missed you, Andy, but a visiting and babysitting Grandma presented an offer—get out for dinner—too good to refuse!)

Discharge will definitely be tomorrow, but we don’t know when. We’re betting on morning, but still have some meetings with health pros to undergo so I’m guessing we’ll be kept busy during our stay.