April 29, Spring Chicks

Dearest Family and Friends:

Robin could still feel the pain of yesterday's interrupted sneeze in his chest today. I found out that heart surgery patients are afraid to sneeze and that is why they try to suppress them.

Robin had a quiet day and spent most of it looking out the back window. He shared his quiet day with Mac, Piper and Nelson. The Toronto General Hospital volunteer said I should expect quiet days like this.

My niece and nephew, Roger and Tara sent us some pictures of baby chicks. The chicks just arrived at my sister and brother-in-law's farm. There's nothing like spring chicks to cheer you up Robin. I have also published a picture of Robin's little English cousins, Ethan and Noah. They are lovely.

Shhhh, you'll wake them up!

Regards

April MacDonell

April 28, 2008

Hello Family and Friends:

It was my first day physically back at the office, so I don't know the details of Robin's first day alone.

He had a visit with Laurence Smith and his mother today. It was a good day for a visit because it was a dull day. It is horrible being house-bound on a dark, rainy day.

When I came home, we had some concern because he suppressed a sneeze and had the worst episode or pain ever. It is taking a long time for this pain to disipate. He has just taken a pain-killer.

I have a webcast for those of you who want to see a mitral valve repair. This one is performed by the same surgeon that did Robin's repair.



Dr. Tyrone David is called the "King of Hearts".

Update on the DOG

This note came from Ric Dende who took care of our little no name puppy overnight.

I SPEND A SOMEWHAT SLEEPLESS NIGHT WITH THE POODLE AND THIS MORNING TOOK HIM TO TORONTO'S ANIMAL SERVICES. THE OWNER LIVES IN THE KIPLING/LAKESHORE AREA AND SHE WAS IN TEARS WHEN THEY CALLED HER TO LET HER KNOW THAT HER DOG WAS FOUND.

This is touching. This ended very well, but I will certainly miss the little guy despite his brief entrance into our lives.

Warm regards

April MacDonell

April 27

Hello Friends

Robin was tired most of the day today, although he was cheerful and thrilled to see his guests.

He was very happy to see his long time friend, Rob Young. Rob also took Robin's mother for the visit. Rob and his wife Cathy are off to Paris for their 25th Wedding anniversary in a week. It was so wonderful that he could come by. Rob gave Robin some brain food--Simpsons Comics, MAD Magazine, Shonen Jump and World Wide Wrestling. That outta keep him busy for a while.

I had an adventure today. I was waving goodbye to Rob and Mrs. McCubbin when I spotted a cute little black dog. I think he was a poodle. He was trotting behind a man and another dog on a leash. I asked the man if it was his dog too and the man said, "No, he is just following me." Just as he said that, the little guy decided to park himself in our yard. Suddenly I had a dog with no owner in sight. I called over to my neighbour and he and his guest and I ran off to the nearby park to see if we could find his owner. No luck. He had no tags, but he had a good quality collar. We hope he is microchiped. My neighbour took the dog into his house and will visit a vet tomorrow to see if he has a chip that will identify the owner. He was so cute and obedient. I hope we can find his parents.

Robin is off to bed already. His mother and Laurence Smith are coming for another visit tomorrow.

Week 2 is coming to an end and the patient is progressing very well.

Take care all

April MacDonell

April 25 and 26

Hello Team:

Robin is doing well. He is walking quite a bit. He strolled with Vivienne and Saber today.

We had visitors. Joanne, Miles, Eliza and Ned dropped by for a lovely visit. We also saw Suzanne, Brian and Aydan. He always lights up when people are around. This is really good.

The cats seem to know he is healing because they have not crawled over him. Nelson fell asleep on his lap but has not ventured higher. It is really funny to see how they squeeze beside him in the bed. He barely has room.

Thank you for your prayers. They have given us strength.

Until next update.


April

April 24

Hello Family and Friends:

Robin did not sleep during the day yesterday. He went for two long walks. He had a couple of phone calls and visits from friends and co-workers. His vigor for life is infectious.

He is now starting to read his own BLOG. Next, he will be giving me dictation and seeking creative control.

He's B A C K.

Thank you for dropping by.

Warmest regards


April MacDonell

Insisting on Ice Cream, April 23

Hello Family and Friends:

Mr. McCubbin is back. He has a beautiful homemade apple pie in the fridge. He asked me to buy Vanilla or Vanilla Bean Ice Cream to go with the pie. When I said "NO", there was a global thermal nuclear reaction. "I want ICE CREAM", he said. I said "NO" again. This went on and on until I solicited the help of his mum (I am allowed to phone a friend for help). The solution was a compromise and he had a "LITTLE" portion of ice cream with his homemade apple pie.

Give me courage.

Regards


April MacDonell

Being Home

Hello All:

Now that Robin is home, the cats are ignoring me. I don't exist. My only value is to open tins of cat food and fill the water bowl. As you can see, all three scoundrels are sleeping with Robin. Robin has his heart propped up on his chest to prevent pouncing pain.

Robin had a good day today. His mother came for a visit along with Laurence Smith, a long time friend. It was a nice visit and I know that they were "very" happy to see each other. Robin, of course, tried to squeeze in more coffee because he had visitors. He wanted a second CUP, so I brought him a tiny espresso cup. "There is your CUP", I said. He was not amused.

He slept through the day again. I believe he slept more last night than his did in a week at the hospital. How can anyone sleep in a hospital? He did wake up at 4:30 am, but he said he went back to sleep.

We went for a walk down the yard together and that was his big walk today. I think it was enough.

I am signing off for now. I'll be back tomorrow with more tales (or tails) about Robin's recovery adventures.

Sincerely,

April MacDonell

Going Home, April 21

Hello Family and Friends:

Robin came home today after his last test and two information sessions. Our neighbour, Bil (pictured here) drove Robin home on the Gardiner Expressway. The Gardiner was a parking lot today, not much of an Expressway at all. It was bumper to bumper traffic. Robin didn't seem to care. He noticed the sunshine, the warm air, the colours... He emptied the smell of antiseptic from his nostrils and enjoyed the drive home despite the traffic.

Arriving home was the sweetest thing for him. Two neighbours greeted him from their yard. He made his way up the five big steps to the mud room. Nelson, our baby cat was rolling around on the rug very excitedly when Robin made his first step across the threshold. Robin bent down to rub Nelson's belly and hence normal life began again on Lake Shore Drive.

Vivienne, our neighbour made a big crock of beef stew and Robin inhaled it. He had some raisin toast too, his favourite. The cats are all sitting on the bed looking at him hug the little red heart that he took home. We are hoping they don't walk all over him tomorrow morning.

Robin's mother is coming for a visit tomorrow and he is very much looking forward to that visit. He will also be taking walks in the yard and perhaps on the street. He is so thrilled to be home and mending.

Robin received cards from his family in the U.K. and friends in the U.S. The scent and colour of your flowers fill our little house. The cats are very attracted to the balloons. Please, guys keep your claws off those balloons--no big bangs to scare Robin.

Many hearts to you,

April MacDonell

April 20 Update

Hello Dear Friends and Family:

Robin walked a lot today. I think he made at least four spins around the floor. The walks drained him though and he slept deeply afterward.

We think Robin may be out of the hospital tomorrow. However, that depends on the availability of a machine and Robin's results. We hope all goes well and he can come home. Perhaps he will start eating again when he gets home.

We cannot wait.

Regards


April MacDonell

April 19 Update

Hello All:

Robin has had two good days in a row. Today he had the temporary pacemaker removed. The pacemaker is the last piece of hardware that was attached to him. Now he only has a monitor.

Robin went for two big walks over the last two days. He took a long time, but he did it. He slept after both adventures.

He shaved today. That was a lot of work.

He is not eating very well yet. But he requested that I buy Swiss Chalet mashed potatoes and gravey today. I did and he gobbled them like they were ice cream. Therefore, we know it isn't his appetite, but the type of food. Hmmm. He has already requested that I bring a McDonald's English Muffin with Strawberry Jam tomorrow. This does not bode well for a change in eating habits.

Today I gave him your emails (and blog comments) to read. He loved them. I still have several to print. There was about .5 inches of paper after I printed them. The emails come from around Canada, South America and Europe.

I will continue to update the blog with comments and pictures.

Thank you for dropping by. We appreciate this so much.


Warmest regards


April MacDonell

April 18 Update

Dear Family and Friends

Robin is feeling better today.

April 17 Update

Hello Family and Friends:

Today was a big day for Robin. He sat in a chair for an hour. He had the chest tubes removed. He walked to the bathroom by himself. He ate half a sandwich. Yes, he's starting from square one.

It was a tougher day than yesterday--he felt more pain and he was exhausted. He had a low-grade fever for a good part of the day. He slept a lot. Dr. David said this is all normal.

Despite the low key day, Robin was still Robin and maintained his "let's do it" attitude.

Robin received gorgeous plants and flowers. These added much needed colour and beauty to the grayness of the room.

The staff and volunteers at TGH are fantastic. The volunteers that spoke with us have all gone through the procedure and are helping us understand what to expect over the next year (8 weeks, 6 months and 1 year).

Take care all.

Warm regards

April

The Day After Surgery

Hello Everyone:

Robin is now out of ICU (Toronto General Hospital). He was moved to the Peter Munk In-Patient Ward (4B-Cardiovascular Unit). After a visit from his Doctor this morning, he learned that he also had a hole in his heart. Dr. David also repaired this. Robin was surprised, but relieved to learn this.

He had waves of nausea, but is taking something to settle his stomach. He is cheerful and animated, even though he falls asleep quickly. The nausea and sleepiness are normal. Robin describes the pain as being "hit by a train". He read this train analogy on the internet and claims that it is true. He said his little heart pillow is his best buddy (see picture above).

I told him about all the emails and best wishes that you sent. They are totally amazing. I will print them and bring them to him in a couple of days. I know he will devour them. By giving him your heart, you have helped his.

Robin feels he will be ready for visitors starting Friday. The hospital's Visitor Policy is two (2) visitors per day, so if you wish to visit please let me know by email so we can stay as near as possible to the policy. Another reason to email is that we are not entirely sure when he will be discharged--we would not want you to visit and find him gone. Thank you. Note: I will only be able to see emails at the end of the day.

Robin sends a huge thank you, merci to everyone. He knows he is on a journey and he is so touched that you are cheering him on.

We are so blessed to have you in our lives.

Warmest regards

April MacDonell

Surgery Day Update

Dear Family and Friends:

Robin's surgery was successful. Dr. Tyrone David repaired Robin's valve. Replacement was not necessary. He went into surgery at 8:00 a.m. and returned just before 12:00 p.m. When I first saw him after his surgery he had a big flannel blanket wrapped around his head like the petals of a sunflower. I said to Elizabeth, "He looks like an Anne Geddes baby poster." He did. The colour in his face was very good.

The breathing tube has been removed and he is using a regular oxygen mask. He will be moving out of ICU very shortly.

Although he is very sleepy, he managed to utter a few words. He squeezed my hand.

Tomorrow they will get him to sit up and dangle his legs over the edge of the bed.

I am overwhelmed by the kindness, support and affection you have sent our way. I don't exactly know how to express my gratitude. I know it contributes to Robin's recovery in a very real way. I know that Robin would be speechless.

I expect that he will be sleeping quite a bit tomorrow, so I think visitors will not see his gleaming eyes.

I will publish another update tomorrow evening.

Warmest Regards

April MacDonell

Robin's Page

Hello Everyone:

Thank you so much for your inquiries. Robin will be arriving at Toronto General Hospital at:

• 5:45 am on April 15, 2008

His surgery will begin at:

• 8:00 am

This was changed from 12:00 pm. He is in very good spirits tonight (April 14, 2008).

Check the blog on April 16, 2008 for an update.

Warm regards

April