Tuesday, the day before!

Dear Friends and Family,

Today a new wound care nurse came and once again Nan had to teach her how to install the fixtula wound collection bag, she managed to ruin the first one so Nan had her start over and do it again. AFter a very long time it was done. Of course then nan has to stay in place for awhile while it sets up before moving around. So she spent a large portion of today in bed. I left early afternoon to go to Concord, then Benicia and then Vallejo. The property in Benicia is a empty lot across the street from the water and will have really nice views from the second level rooms. It is proposed construction so we create an appraisal using the blue prints, cost breakdown, lot value and compare the proposed project to current sales of completed homes in the area. Downtown Benicia is a very charming place, reminds one of east coast towns. The vallejo job was a driveby review. Lovely home on a corner, comps were all nearby but something seems like value is pushed. We'll work on that in the morning.

Once again Nan and I are facing another important day in her recovery. She has experienced the leaking for nearly 3 months now and while it is less than it once was it still is taking place. So tomorrow interventional radiology will attempt to introduce a small balloon or coil into the right ureter effectively blocking it. If the flow through the right ureter is stopped the current wisdom is that the illilal loop with dry up and stop leaking. Nan says that today when the incision wound was uncovered it has healed a lot, even more than a few days ago. This is in spite of it being constantly wet. We will leave home about 10:15 in the morning hoping to find the different hospital this procedure will be done at. They are to start at 1 pm. Over the years Nan and I have had to part company so many times as she is rolled away for either surgery, procedures, tests, CT scans... it never gets easier seeing her shrinking image as she rolls through a door or down a hallway. We both ernestly hope and pray that this time what is done will be a big help in her recovery. We will also try to catch up with the CD of the last CT scan to ship to Boston, we've have to see how that goes. Our hopes are that the leak can be stopped, that as a result there will be less nausea, increased strength and a better sense of well being.

I personally am battling a head cold, painful ears, nasty coughing and a feeling of not being quite right. I've been able to keep working but probably not as quickly as usual. I understand that both Keanna and Steve are not feeling well today either, I hope my being with them and being less than ideal last evening did not cause their relapse. I'm getting by on vit. c tablets, zicam nose stuff, hot water with lemon, Dayquil and water. Trying to avoid sugar, grease.

It was so good to read an email response back from Wes and nanette and also from Bob and Carrol. It helps to know we are not alone in this challenging time. We are thankful for insurance, for good medical help like that found at UCSF and for a reliable van to get there and back. In spite of negative times there are many things to be grateful for as well.

Please keep Nan in your thoughts and prayers tomorrow at 1 pm. Thanks so much.

love

tim and nan