Al's Blog-o-Sphere

Well, I’ve made it back to Lockport. We all left Al this afternoon to fend for himself for a short while in the hospital. He’s got his computer, his cell phone and above all, his fan and is settled in for the next phase of his recovery.

He’s been complaining about a lack of or inability to sleep. After some reassurances from Mark, who’s had experience with his own transplant and most of the various drugs Al is being given, as well as his doctor who checked in just before we left, we hope he’ll sleep better. Al described how he would be almost asleep then have an involuntary twitch that woke him back up. We were discussing it and coined the term Doggie Dreams, but the doctor came up with a scientific term: Hypnagogic Jerk. Continue Reading…

Today marks the one week anniversary of Al’s Transplant. A week ago at this time, he was still in surgery and I was sitting in a waiting room, well, waiting.
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I saw Al just a few minutes ago and you’d hardly think he had such serious surgery. He had just finished breakfast, was sitting up on his bed and happy to get his cell phone back and check his messages.

Today Mark and Gayle Gritzmacher (Al’s Uncle and Aunt) as well as his brother, Frank, will be arriving for a visit. I’ve set him up to log in to this blog and his computer will arrive as well, so he promises to keep us all updated with his progress and stories of hospital life. Continue Reading…

I should have paid more attention in math class, or at least programming class, and started at 0. It’s day 7, but actually tomorrow would be the one week anniversary.

Progress continues. I showed up at the room today and found it empty. Al’s things were still there, though, so I wasn’t too concerned, I just sat down and waited. He came back after a while, pushing his IV pole and with a couple nursing students helping him.

I had forgotten that there was a “Discharge” class this morning at 10:00 am. I was invited, but I didn’t get the impression it was aimed at me, just Al. Anyway, I had forgotten about it. I could have gone, I was here early enough, I just was in the cafeteria having breakfast. Continue Reading…

A couple of you have asked where things could be sent. He should be in this room for a while, so here’s the scoop:

UPMC Presbyterian
Room D952
500 Lothrop St.
Pittsburgh PA 15213-2582

[Al will probably be getting out of the hospital early next week, so unless you’re willing to pay for express delivery, it might be better to wait to send anything now. ]

Or, try a UPMC E-Card, it’ll take his mind off the noises on the floor.