Back from the dead.

That’s an exaggeration, of course, but with all that’s transpired since my last posting it can be a little difficult to delineate where reality ends and hyperbole begins. So I’ll just try to summarize these events:

*Two weeks ago I was in considerable discomfort (lower back pain, abdominal bloating, and nausea) that the medical cannabis was ineffective in combating. I suffered through the weekend and then had my doctor squeeze me into an appointment on Monday afternoon (10/27). My objective was to obtain a prescription for a better painkiller.

*What I received instead was an admission to the hospital for a CT scan, blood work, and possible kidney drainage procedure.

*I’m told that the blood work indicated that my kidneys were in acute (95%) failure, and that the CT scan revealed tumors blocking the output from both kidneys. I was on a gurney before 8AM the next morning heading for the operating room. Tubes were inserted through my back into both kidneys to enable drainage.

*During the next two days my blood work indicated that kidney function was approaching normal levels, so on Thursday morning I had another procedure in which stents (tubes) were inserted into the ureters running from my kidneys to my bladder in order to enable outflow. Another biopsy was performed on another tumor to determine whether the disease pathology has changed (I’m told the tumors are growing at a faster rate than expected).

*I was released from the hospital on Friday.

*I have another appointment with the doctor this afternoon at which time we’ll hopefully learn more about what’s up with Paul.

During this flurry of activity, I was able to obtain several prescriptions for painkillers: hydrocodone, darvocet, and oxycodone (all opiates). The hydrocodone and darvocet both make me nauseated, so at the moment the oxycodone appears to be my painkiller of choice. (Incidentally, this is the painkiller that apparently fueled Rush Limbaugh for years; while there’s no danger of me becoming the next Rush Limbaugh, I do need to be careful of the addictive potential of this stuff).

The best comfort of all, however, has been derived from the outpouring of love and support from family and friends. My parents and kids have been there for me the entire time. My sisters and their families made the long drive from Northern California to help out and keep me company these past two weeks. And Cecily hasn’t left my side, spending all four nights in the hospital with me. Others have made visits at opportune times, for which I will always be grateful. I regret that I cannot always respond individually to all the expressions of love I receive, but please know that they are all very much appreciated. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful family and friends.