Guess Who I Saw Today

So today we went on a bus tour of Berlin and we made a stop to see the Brandenburger Tor. We got out of the bus and had to cut through a building to get to the Tor. So as we were about to walk through the glass doors the security tells us that we cant go through because Condoleezza Rice was about to walk from the American Embassy to her hotel. The building we were in was right in between the two. So about 2 minutes later Condoleezza Rice walked right by where we were. We all started waving and taking pictures. I got one of her. I shouted I LOVE YOU and she waved and pointed at my shirt which was an East Lansing shirt. It was very exciting. She was like 10 feet from me.

Day at the Pool

Tim and Julia...hope he doesn't pull her in the water.
Kylee, Tim, Kaylee and Julia

Kylee, Haley, Kelsey and Julia

Kelly, Karen and Karla

A little too much sunscreen. Like father, like son.

What a beauty.

The tube popped.

The house is very quiet today.

It is just Julia and I until Aunt Linda arrives later today.

I'm Home

Hello!

Mike and I got to Cincinnati last night about 8pm. It is SOOOOO good to be home! It was a lot of fun last night with Tim and Julia AND Karla, Kelly, Haley, Kelsey, Kaylee and Kylee. We got to laughing and they are "banned" from making me laugh. ha! It hurts too much. The "cleaning ladies" must have made an appearance because the house looked great. It was a great greeting home from everyone. Julia kept hugging me. Tim gave me a big hug, too, then went on the computer. He does better with one on one time with Mom.

I am relieved to be six days post surgery. The Cleveland Clinic is an amazing place. The breast reconstruction surgical team has a contract with the VIP wing at the CC. No kidding, I was on the VIP floor. One of my nurses told me that when there is a pro player from Cleveland (Browns, Indians or Cavaliers) that has an overnight stay, they are on this floor. At the end of the hall, they had screens and armed guards outside one of the patient's rooms. Because of HIPPA (sp?) laws, we are not 100% of who the patient was, but there were "priests" (as I heard them refer to themselves, but definitely not Catholic) who walked the halls. They were big men, wearing long black gowns/robes, long black beards and a black hat of some sort. English was not their primary language. I didn't ever see the actual patient walking the halls. It was a surreal experience. The nursing staff was top-notch. I don't think there could ever be a better hospital stay for me EVER.

Thanks for reading this blog over the last week and following this journey. Linda arrives on Tuesday to assist. THANK YOU Linda!!! I will be unable to drive for awhile and she will entertain Julia.

Kaitlyn, I'm thinking of you this week. Yesterday her boyfriend, Michael, arrived with a Medical Missions team. She hasn't seen Michael for over a month and I know she misses him. The Monfils family is also down in Haiti this week. I know all involved will have a memorable week, but especially Kait. I will keep you in my prayers.

Nick gets back from Germany in eight days, but who is counting. =-) Can't wait to have him home.

Thanks from Karen

Hello Family and Friends:

I appreciate more than words can say all the prayers and comments this week. They could definitely be felt on many levels. I am healing better than I could have expected; the room accommodations exceeded my expectations; the nursing and support staff have been so very kind; the food has been delicious; BUT best of all, my favorite nurse, MIKE, is quite cute and very helpful! Honestly, it has been great to have these last six days together. He has been there for everything with a positive attitude and giving spirit. Tonight Mike is Detroit (with his sister Linda) seeing his favorite all-time singer, Burton Cummings. Two years ago with BC toured in the USA, I was diagnosed with cancer and Mike was unable to make it to any of the concerts. This summer, I wanted more than anything for him to be able to go. He left Cleveland around 2:15 and is at the concert as I write this. I know he is having a blast and a much deserved "break" from his nursing duties. Mike....I love you and thanks for all your love this past week.

Tomorrow afternoon I will be discharged. I am now ready to head back to Cincinnati. I'm sore but know that I am ready for the next step. I will go home with three drains. YUCK!

Thanks for all the love!!!

Love,
Karen

Friday Morning Update

Karen slept great last night and I did too. Karen had a nice breakfast and is now sitting up reading the USA Today. After being cloudy and cold all week, it's a beautiful sunshiny day here in Cleveland. We are sitting here in the room with the curtains wide open and sun streaming in. Except for her hospital gown, you would never even know Karen just had surgery. She looks radiant and beautiful.

A lady just came in with a card from Margaret. Karen says "thanks Mom".

It will not be a surprise to anyone, but Karen has made great friends with all the nurses and aides here at the hospital. Many of them are giving her hugs after they leave their shifts since they know this is Karen's last day. Yesterday two of the nurses (Beverly and Janice) just came in to "hang out" with Karen. Like always, Karen has shown her loving, positive and Godly spirit and has touched numerous people.

This Cleveland Clinic is really something. In addition to having a single room that is more like a hotel than a hospital room, the food has been incredible. Karen has five gourmet choices for each meal such as filet mignon, salmon, baked cod and schwen chicken and rice. Since today is her last day, they came in and gave her a beautiful fruit basket and a six-pack of Fuji water. We have felt more like we've stayed in a five star hotel than a hospital for the last week.

Well, this is going to be quite a sports weekend for all of us. Margaret and Karen's Cubs take on Rod's White Sox in the first crosstown series ever with both teams in first place. And there is a possibility of World War III erupting if Julia's Russian team beats the Netherlands in soccer today and ends up facing Nick's Germany in the European Cup. Julia will be cheering, "Russia - da!, Germany - nyet! Julia - da!!, Nick - nyet!!"

Well, that's it for now.

Thanks again for all the love, prayers and support this past week. You don't know how good this made us feel and the strength it gave to Karen.

Love,

Mike

Thursday Night at the Cleveland Clinic

Karen is having a very good day at the Cleveland Clinic. Colleen Monfil will be glad to hear that Karen took three walks today. She is moving better and better each time. We just went on the final walk about 30 minutes ago and Karen walked down three seperate hallways. We came back and she is now sitting up watching Larry King with me. She is really progressing well.

Great news. Karen has been cleared to be discharged from the hospital on Saturday morning although we will probably stay at a hotel in the Cleveland area on Saturday night so Karen can get some downtime before we head back to the onslaught that is called Timmy and Julia (and Mike too).

Hey Nick - Deutchland won today 3-1. I bet they are going crazy over there for the team. I also wanted to let you know that I finally went to Au Bon Pain today for lunch. Wow - I love that place. I had the best chicken pesto sandwich and tomato and rice soup ever.

Well, we are about to call it a night and go to sleep for the night.

Love you all,

Mike

Karen's Thursday Update

Today has been a good day for Karen. At this point, she is almost getting up on her own and going to the bathroom. She just needs a little bit of help. This morning we took a short walk down the hall. She didn't make it too far, but at least she was out walking. We are going to take some more walks today.

Karen's appetite is getting better also. She was hungry for breakfast this morning and she ate cereal, banana, strawberry yogurt and half an apple muffin. This is the first time she ate well. They gave her a filet mignon last night and she barely touched it. I knew she wasn't feeling well if she wouldn't eat filet mignon. It was nice to see her appetite improve today.

I was able to take a long walk this morning. It was nice to go outside. I walked a couple of miles to a Bruegger's Bagels and enjoyed a bagel breakfast sandwich and a protein smoothie. It was nice to get out of the hospital and get outside.

Thanks so much for all the support and prayers.

We love you all.

Mike

PS to Jim Day: Due to your snooping in the Cleveland Clinic computer system, I was visited by hospital security today about the missing food in the G section. I've pleaded innocent, but they are threatening an x-ray of my stomach if more food is missing in the future.