Julie is sleeping right now, after what has been a much better day. It started a little shaky in the morning with a good deal of pain and anxiety, but we got that under control. Each morning has been rough, but they are getting better. Today Julie started "eating". For breakfast she had some chicken broth, a few nibbles on a bagel (though not enough to satisfy a mouse), some Jello and a sip of Apple Juice. For lunch she had some chicken broth that had a few noodles in it, and a few crackers, and more Jello. For dinner she had...chicken broth, white toast and, yep you guessed it, Jello. I think her favorite is chicken broth with some kind of white starch and Jello. Truly, she really enjoyed and savored every bite. Nothing like a major surgery to help you appreciate the simple pleasure of eating simple food. Just before noon she got taped up with plastic over her IV's and drains and took a shower with some help. This afternoon we went for a walk out to the terrace and sat out in the sun, which made her very happy. She is still on strong pain medication, but taking less of it, her IV fluids are being cut back, her bladder catheter has been out since yesterday morning, and she has been on several short walks the past two days. She can now get herself in and out of bed without help, but help is less painful.

The plan is for her diet to be slowly increased, and perhaps soon she can start taking oral pain medication. She might be ready to come home by Tuesday, but we won't try to hurry things along, and we told the doctor that we are in no hurry.