E-mail from Neal - Received 1/4/10

Hello to one and all!

Thank you for your prayers. I have really needed them this week. I am happy to report that I am home, out of hospital, and much happier for it. I got released this morning which was a great relief. I thought that I was going to have to stay in for another day or so, but the Doctor came by today and said that I was free to go. Everything was looking fine and there was no reason for me to stay. I am still no where near my full self, but that understandable. I am planning on doing nothing but resting and chilling for the next few days. The other Elders are going to be switching off who stays with me  for the next week at least. I am really tired and haven’t eaten properly in almost a week so I have a long way to go.

So let me tell you about what has happened to me in the last week…..

Tuesday – Worked all day long. Started feeling a bit ill in the evening right before bed, but nothing unusual.

Wednesday – woke up at 2 in the morning thinking that I was going to DIE!!!! I think that that might have been when the rupture occurred. The pain settled a bit and was able to sleep, but not well. I woke up still in pain, but I was not able to work at all. Stayed in that day and just kinda suffered. I didn’t think that it was anything major until that night when I had a sudden flash of inspiration telling me it was my appendix. I made some calls, confirmed it, and went off to hospital. Took morphine and was able to be comfortable for a long time.

Thursday – Had surgery about 2, and spent the day sleeping and waking back up.

Friday – Really good day. Was able to get back into my normal cloths, have a wash, and eat some food. I felt great all day long, and thought that it was all going to be great.

Saturday – Horrible day. I woke up and threw up several times. I had eaten too fast, and my body wasn’t ready for it. My fault. I suffered through that day improving a bit in the evening. I was not a happy bunny that day.

Sunday – Felt a bit better, but still not amazing. I was able to take a shower, and relax a bit. I ate a bit, but nothing huge. I was able to partake of the Sacrament, and all was well. Still thought that I had a few days to go though.

Monday – Woke up feeling alright. Got told I could go home, and now I am back. I am still very weak,  and I really need to eat something really badly!

I am alive though….. Just! The Socialized health care isn’t overly bad. I was in a room with 9 other men the whole time so that was interesting. I have never been a patient in a hospital before so I really have nothing to compare it too. I guess you can all tell me what should have happened, I will tell you what happened to me. It was ok I guess, but I know that it could have been better. I am now doing my own thing now, and working to get back to normal. I again thank you for all the prayers, and ask that they continue. I am not out of the woods yet. It has been an interesting experience, but nothing that has destroyed me. I have just had to laugh a lot. It hurts, but that’s all I can do! It was a nice way to bring in the new year, that’s for sure, one that I will never forget. Oh yea I think that I lost something like 6 pounds since I was in hospital…. Fun huh.

Well I think that that is about all.  I am going to go and get something to eat now, cause I am dying.

Again thanks for all the support and prayers. THEY HAVE BEEN FELT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lots of Love,

Elder Recovering Neal