Scott continues to recover well. He is dealing well with the pain and is determined to be a great post-surgical patient. Today, he walked three miles (at different times throughout the day) and remembered to ask for help lifting things, even though it's not always easy to feel helpless. But he seems to not lose sight of the temporary nature of recovery. Each day gets a little easier.

So now that we're out of the hospital, I thought I'd share a few hospital experiences that made us laugh:

After the doctor gave us the good news:
Me: "So was the tumor not very sticky?"
Dr. McKenna: "It was sticky, but I brought my WD-40 and a chisel."

Soon after the doctor walked away after delivering the news:
Stacy: "I need him to say that WHOLE thing over again."

During a drug haze, Scott heard the nurses talking about his SCD (sequential compression device) to reduce the chance of blood clots.
Nurse: "Is there an order for SCDs?"
Scott: "I have an STD?!!?"

Waking up from a drug-induced haze:
Scott: "Where am I?"
Me: "Is that a philosophical question or a location question?"

When I saw him for the first time in recovery, Scott held his hand up in the shape of an L.
Me: "Are you calling me a loser?"
Scott: In a difficult whisper, "Love."
Me: "Oh, that makes more sense. I love you, too."

Walking the hospital halls with Monica and Eric, who were holding hands.
Me: "You and your honey and me and my honey out for a stroll."
Monica: "This is the best double date ever."

When Scott needed some help getting cleaned up:
Me to Eric: "Do you want to give Scott a sponge bath or should I?"

After discharge and arriving at my brother Chris' house:
Chris: "Should I give you a hug or should we just chest bump?"

And, lastly, on the drive up for the surgery:
Me: "Stop farting or I will quit trying to save your life."
Scott: "Sorry. It's the cancer."

This evening we had a visit from our old friend Randy Davidson and his wife, Tina. Scott and Randy were roommates in college. We loved reminiscing about how (after Scott moved out), we would return to where Randy lived and help ourselves to Randy's food when he was at school or work. Our favorite story was when Randy came home from surfing and found us munching on the last of his pancakes. We tried to repay him tonight with some dinner pancakes but he turned us down for tri-tip.

We are home! We were surprised by a welcome-home banner, courtesy of the Remikers.

And today Amy came by with gifts from our ER family. Such a wonderful group of people. We are truly blessed and in awe of their generosity.

Scott gives his heart pillow a squeeze. 

A heart pillow signed by a lot of loving friends at Sharp's ER. Love my job! Love my co-workers!

Such a nice Christmas! Maz had so much fun with his cousins and Scott and I took many short walks around my brother's neighborhood. Such a nice day with the Burbank crew. By the afternoon, Scott and I konked out by the pool. It's been a long couple of months. We head home to San Diego tomorrow.

We're home at the Slaughter cousin abode. So happy to spend Christmas at home. 

We brought Maz his own incentive spirometer. He's stoked that he can get all three balls up and his Dad can only get two. It won't be long before they're tied.

The surgeon took all four chest tubes out this morning. Scott is free to roam about without two large chest tube drainage containers attached to an IV pole. And his pain decreased a lot when the chest tubes came out.

They have given us the choice to go home this evening or to stay another night. He's doing really well so we may opt for this evening. It sure would be nice to spend Christmas with Chris, Marja and Maz's cousins. We will decide over the next couple of hours.

Scott's breathing is better today. He is feeling less short of breath. He is beginning to feel hospital fatigue but he's managing that with many walks. 

We were visited by Cheryl, Rick and Jill. Jill and Rick brought us a delicious supply of cookies and fudge. Jill brought us a homemade ornament for the tree and Cheryl noticed that our tree lacked a topper and made us a pretty little star.

Eric came in the afternoon and beat us both at cribbage. :(

Maz had a really fun day visiting LA sites with Stacy, Dean, Rylan and Barrett. And I stepped out for dinner with Chaana, Noam, and Eric and brought Scott some pizza. Scott's appetite has returned.

We also got approval for Maz on Christmas Day. He can come to the lobby of the 6th floor so that is where we will celebrate Christmas. We are so happy that we will be able to spend Christmas together.

Thanks again for all the visits and nice comments, emails and texts. We really appreciate and cherish all the support.

Scott gets a visit from the Burnhams, my second family growing up.

Cheryl made the star for the tree.

Jill added a homemade ornament.

Maz out on the town with Rylan and Barrett.

At the Hollywood sign.