Oh look Babe, it's sunny!

So last week Ron was asked to participate in a immune study for CPMC. So this early morning when we went to the lab for Ron's blood work they took an additional 12-14 vials! When he came back and told me I was stunned, with his usual 4-5 they took near 20 vials of blood from him. The sweet nurse brought him juice and told him to drink it while she drew the blood, because he has to fast after midnight the night before for clean blood work. She was concerned my superman would get woozy.

After blood work we came "home" for a couple hours. I made him pancakes and sausages (Ron hasnt been able to eat full meals yet because he gets so full so quickly, but he did his best to stuff himself)... then we went to clinic. Clinic is where they usually go over how his blood looks, adjust meds, and answer any questions we have. This Clinic they took half of Ron's staples out (now he is left with 24). It looked painful, especially the ones that had some skin overgrowth... I could see the skin break and it looked like little bee stings. ouch. I took a picture. Unfortuanatly, getting a few of the staples out was not the relief Ron was hoping for. He forgot to take in account the multiple layers of internal stitches. (along with Rons liver replancement they also had to replace the hipatic artery, lots of ducts, viens and arterys to attach. I can't explain to you how that feels in his belly... I imagine it's odd to say the least. Perhaps soon he will be able to write a bit about it himself.)

The Doctor was really excited that Ron's "numbers" we looking so great. He was probably the most reassuring Doctor we have meet from the Transplant Team. He was genuinely interested in Ron, his health and his wellness. He listened to Ron about his discomfort concerns and his mental state. Ron is getting a little down being cooped up in this tiny apartment as well as adjusting to a completely life changing event. Most of the doctors tell us, "oh, that's normal, you just went through major surgery." This Doctor sat next to him and talk to him one on one about how he was feeling and reassuring him that in time the emotional effects of the transplant experience will get better too.

When I meet Ron he was around 170 pounds. On surgery day he weighed less than 150 and after surgery he clock in at 141 lbs... he has been a steady 138 lbs for two weeks. He told us to begin to take photos of Ron because is three months we wont believe the transformation.

Ron was feeling well enough today to take a short walk down the street, but I think we underestimated how difficult coming back up the hill would be. Stupid hills. I do think it was really nice for him to get outside... even though it was painful.