Home Again
As of last night, Susan’s back home again. I’m so glad to have her back.
We’re now finding, though, that our house isn’t exactly designed to accommodate someone who’s just had hip replacement surgery. So Susan’s now trying to figure out stuff you and I take for granted. Getting into bed, getting out of bed, finding a position in bed that isn’t wildly painful. Sitting on the toilet without putting weight on the 16″-long incision. Getting back up off the toilet.
And don’t even get me started on what it’s like for her to get into a car. I don’t think I’ll ever forgive myself for having driven to the hospital yesterday in my truck instead of the comparatively low-riding minivan. In my defense, I didn’t think she’d be coming home yesterday, or I would have brought the van.
Since this is a family blog, I won’t go into what taking one narcotic or another every three hours does to her digestion.
And good luck getting her to eat.
I realize this will be worth it, and soon. But right now, it’s pretty rough. It’s difficult to watch Susan hurt so much, so constantly, in so many ways.
As for myself, I haven’t been on a bike in more than a week, and have been eating out more than in. Draw your own conclusions how that’s affecting me.
Wednesday-ish, we’ll get the pathology report from bone sample they took during the surgery, and that determines our course of action going forward — more chemo, or do we get to live like normal people for a while? I seriously doubt I’m going to have a second’s peace until we know the answer to this question.
So, um, thanks for reading my extremely funny cycling comedy blog. I’m sure hilarious, aren’t I?
PS: Something lighter tomorrow. I promise.
Comment by mark | 12.3.2007 | 9:35 am
Wish I could think of something comforting or funny or witty to say, but any objective observer would conclude that things suck right now. Our prayers are with you, Susan, and the family.
Comment by Lars | 12.3.2007 | 9:45 am
Sometimes there are more important things than keeping the masses entertained. If there is any chance that sharing your trials with us helps you to cope, helps Susan to cope, then I say keep it coming.
Comment by KT | 12.3.2007 | 9:49 am
Elden, if there’s one guy who gets to be non-funny for once, it’s you.
Don’t worry about having to entertain us, we can think up ways to entertain ourselves.
For instance, it’s pouring down rain here in Oregon, with wildly strong winds and wind gusts, and I saw a cyclist on my way in to work this morning. Now, personally, I wouldn’t want to ride in a wind that’s blowing with more speed into my face than I can average on a sunny, mild, non-windy day going downhill; much less in rain that’s falling hard enough to really sting when it hits bare skin. And that’s without the extra oomph it gets from the wind!
But there that guy was, riding to work; all kitted out in rain pants, rain coat, thick gloves, etc. Making headway of sorts, just not much.
I forgot to mention: I drove to work, with my heated seats and good music. I almost stopped to offer him a ride, but then thought about how I’d feel if it was me on the bike: that would be cheating.
So, everyone, let’s help Fatty out here: tell your worst-weather riding story.
Mine: Last January 1, it was 30 degrees F and snowing lightly, and we decided to go on a ride anyway. I do not own cold-weather cycling gear, so I wore cycling shorts, leggings, sweatpants, short sleeve shirt, long sleeve shirt, sweatshirt, Thinsulate parka; two pairs of gloves; scarf; ear warmer; helmet cover; thick socks. I felt like the Stay-Puft marshmallow person.
Dec 1, we rode in 36 degrees F, snowing ever so slightly; again, I bundled up. Still haven’t purchased any cold weather cycling gear. Same outfit, except a lighter coat instead of the parka. No helmet cover. Smartwool socks. Did I feel like a dork? Can you say, YES? :)
However, we have now gone on a ride in every month of the year… so that’s some sort of consolation, right? Right?
Comment by printenv | 12.3.2007 | 9:58 am
I remember after my grandma had major back surgery. She had lots of spurs removed from in her spine, some vertebrae fused together and so on. She has rheumatoid arthritis. She used to be 5′11″ and is now 5′5″. Crazy I think. But my point is she was on a lot of pain killers and narcotics. I remember stories from my mom about the confusion and odd things she would say. To be honest, that was rather funny. Other than she was super stubborn and wanted to walk around and do things even though she was banned by her doctors to the bed (hence why my mom was there :) ).
I wish Susan the best. I can’t imagine what it is like, I can only relate it to with what happened with my grandma. I know that wasn’t pleasant and I have the utmost respect for her and her pluckiness through all of this.
Comment by Shadowduck | 12.3.2007 | 10:04 am
Every sympathy with what you two are going through – here’s hoping the worst is now behind you!
I don’t think your readership will begrudge you a few inward-looking entries, to be honest I can’t believe you’re blogging at all right now.
As for bad weather… I rode in to work through a hailstorm this morning and I’ve got to get home yet! Still, I’ll look back on the hailstones with a warm glow come February. ;o)
Comment by Dave | 12.3.2007 | 10:06 am
Sometimes, just knowing someone else cares is a comfort. We care for Susan and we care for you.
I find comfort in a passage from Isaiah 33:23 and 24. In part it says: “At that time even spoil in abundance will have to be divided up; the lame ones themselves will actually take a big plunder. And no resident will say: ‘I am sick.’”
Comment by Nick | 12.3.2007 | 10:09 am
You love your wife a lot, and its very refreshing to read about someone who cars that much for other people. Keep fighting and good things will come!
Comment by Marrock | 12.3.2007 | 10:11 am
Let’s see… worst weather commute would have to be last january when I had the briliant notion to ride out before dawn while it was about 30° & sleeting and I went out wearing my usual jeans, t-shirt, hoodie, army jacket, snowmobile gloves, steel-toed boots, with the baseball cap/watchcap combo.
I arrived closely resembling the slush monster of planet Hoth only to be told that it turned out I wasn’t needed in the shop that day.
After a ten minute tirade, in which i managed to only cover everything in a ten foot radius with wet yuck, I trudged back out and took my cold soggy self home.
Oddly enough, I eventually quit that place.
Comment by Azriel | 12.3.2007 | 10:12 am
Not funny? Well, as you probably ralised long ago, people come to this blog because it’s funny. But they stay because they genuinely like you. We’ve never met, but I’ve been reading this blog for years. Heck, not even you can be THAT funny.
So, health and strength from the other side of the pond. Keep sharing. Because listening is being part of the cure.
p.s
On this side of the pond we’ve had a week of 99% time drizzle 0.5% time sunshine, 0.5% hale. 100% over 20mph winds… with gusts of up to 60mph.
So, cycling in-front of the news@10 is just what the dr. ordered. Time for me to get on the bike and get wet on the way home.
A’z
Comment by Pammap | 12.3.2007 | 10:17 am
No apologies needed; we understand and we care. Glad to hear that Susan is home, that can be viewed as “progress”. All our love, prayers, and good thoughts to you, Susan, and the kids. We’ll keep Wednesday-ish in our prayers as well.
Comment by Isaac | 12.3.2007 | 10:21 am
Elden and Susan,
Continuing prayers for you and the kids from Jacksonville, Florida. Elden, I just found your blog a few weeks ago, and while I enjoy the funny stuff, I also appreciate that you’re under stress and have other things on your mind besides cracking wise about cycling and weight loss. Thank you for the updates on Susan’s condition. One of my jobs is as a hospital chaplain intern, so it does my heart good to see such a committed and supportive spouse. Take care, both of you. May God bless you, Susan, with complete healing of body and spirit, and may God grant both of you strength(you seem to have a lot already).
With blessings,
Isaac
Comment by cyclingphun.blogspot.com | 12.3.2007 | 10:36 am
Hey, man, you guys do what you need to do! The blog isn’t going anywhere, right? It’ll wait for you. Glad to hear Susan is back home with you (HI SUSAN! Hope you get better really soon!), and keeping you guys in our thoughts and prayers.
Comment by chtrich | 12.3.2007 | 10:36 am
It will be so worth it! Keep on Keeping on!
I don’t commute and rarely ride in the cold, but last year some Fat Cyclist had this contest that started in January wherein you had to ride a 3 mile stretch of road once a month. I naturally picked the same 3 mile stretch as him since I live in the same area. This stretch was a lovely steep uphill, which isn’t too bad in the cold, but when you turn around and come flying down it at 40+ mph and it’s 30 degrees outside it just doesn’t make the downhill any fun at all!
Comment by eunicesara | 12.3.2007 | 10:37 am
So, you’re a stress eater, and you clean Susan’s plate if she doesn’t. Hmmm.
How incredibly Herculean of you to take on rehab at home! My landlady opted for the ten days at re-hab, and she wasn’t perfect when she got back to the farm, but it was the best choice in her situation.
My worst bike ride was in the summer, riding my 17 miles home from work in a Mid-West thunder storm. Open prairie – no shelter – and lotso lotso lightening. I just kept saying “I don’t want to die!” Couldn’t decide which was the safer choice – hoping my tires would save me if I did get hit, or seeking shelter under one of the few trees along my route, therefore inviting lightning to strike the tree. I was so scared I didn’t even notice the rain. Just the lightening, lots of it.
Comment by Paul | 12.3.2007 | 10:48 am
I’ve been worried about both of you. No news is Bad news.
Glad to hear Susan is at home, I am hoping and praying for a quick recovery.
Weather:
Bad weather?
It just means more layers, which could be bad, depending on how many layers you have to wear. Since I got some shoe covers, I haven’t seen any bad weather. Before that I had to stop every 20 miles and warm my toes with my hands.
Comment by Clydesteve | 12.3.2007 | 11:02 am
As mentioned above, Eldon, we like the funny, but it is you and susan that keeps us coming back. Not to worry about blog maintenance.
I think my LIVESTRONG ride in Portland this year was my worst weather experience cycling. I have ridded in worse, but not a long ride in worse. KT – The weather for the LIVESTRONG ride was about what we are seeing in the Willamette Valley right now, maybe 5 degrees warmer. I was nearly a soggy heap blown off an earth dam in the rainy wind.
Comment by turnonthejets | 12.3.2007 | 11:10 am
Glad she’s home…sorry she’s hurting. Thanks for the update.
Comment by Hetty | 12.3.2007 | 11:12 am
You’re only one man so can only do so much. If blogs, diets, biking, hell even personal hygiene have to take a backseat for a while so be it, you’re doing your best and I think you are both amazing.
Last week I went for a ride in 25mph winds and torrential rain climbing up a valley pass in the Lake District. I made it to the top of the pass (despite having eaten my own body weight in cheese the night before) and sped back down elated. I decided to speed through the flooded road at the bottom to remind myself that I’m still young and carefree. Unfortunatley the flooding was concealing a huge pothole and I did a very convincing Buzz Lightyear impression over the handle bars and into a crumpled heap. I know I’m getting old as my first thought was “oh god did anyone SEE?!”.
Of course I told everyone at work my elbow injury came from a radical bit of north shore riding.
Comment by bikemike | 12.3.2007 | 11:33 am
boy, the part where your wife gets out of the hospital from hip surgery and you take her home in a pick-up truck instead of the mini-van, freaking hilarious.
how do you come up with this stuff man. i’ll bet the two of you laid in the parking lot for hours just laughing the time away.
you are laughing now right, RIGHT?
Comment by BurkeInTheOzarks | 12.3.2007 | 11:34 am
Eldon, I know you started this blog to be funny, which you’re quite good at, but it has become something bigger than funny. Like it or not, your circle of friends is now humongous (at least plentysix times what is was pre-blog) and, while we quite enjoy your witty observations on the world of cycling, we CARE about you and Susan. Posts like this are just as anticipated and appreciated by us as any of the humorous ones, so please don’t apologize for the lack of ‘funny’.
On the weather topic, I don’t commute, but just yesterday I went for a 14 mile MTB ride on one of my favorite trails. When I left the house, it was 67°F, dry and windless so I wore shorts and a thin jersey. No, I did not pack a jacket even though a cold front was coming, since it was not supposed to show up until hours after my ride. Hours, I tell ya.
By the time we hit the trail about an hour later, the wind was gusting to about 30mph, it was drizzling and the temperature was well on its way towards last night’s low of 26°F. I was cold the whole ride and, by the time we got back to the car, I couldn’t feel my toes. Did I regret my decision to ride anyway, even though I was thoroughly unprepared? Not for a second!
Comment by Patrick from Astoria | 12.3.2007 | 11:39 am
Good Lord, man, don’t be so down on yourself about not being funny enough with all this. Honestly, hearing about Susan’s iron-will perseverance in the face of all of this makes for some of the most compelling, inspirational reading anywhere. We’ll get back to amusement in due time; we’re with you through it all.
And make some steel-cut oats and try to get out for a quick ride tomorrow, okay?
Comment by Orbea Girl | 12.3.2007 | 11:39 am
FC thanks for the update. It’s good that Susan is now home with her family despite the challenges that throws up. I’m sure she wouldn’t have it any other way. I hope and pray you receive positive news on Wednesday. We’ll all be thinking of you.
I’m sorry I can’t contribute to the “bad weather” cycling stories as the weather’s good enough in S France to cycle pretty much all year round.
Comment by Mark | 12.3.2007 | 11:43 am
Thanks for the update, Fatty.
We can wait for the chuckles; it’s just good to hear that Susan is on the mend. Best wishes to you and your family during this hard time.
Comment by Bitter (formerly known as Lissee) | 12.3.2007 | 12:19 pm
My thoughts are with you both! Glad to hear you both survived the hospital, and that you made it home safe.
Sending good vibes your way.
Comment by Lee | 12.3.2007 | 12:26 pm
Welcome home to Susan! There’s a season to everything, the laughter will come soon enough. God Bless.
Comment by KatieA | 12.3.2007 | 12:39 pm
Welcome home Susan – Elden, stay away from the chocolate.
All my karma / prayers / good wishes are being sent over for good news coming your way soon.
Much love to you both.
Comment by Pregnant-and-getting-fatter Cathy | 12.3.2007 | 12:40 pm
Welcome home, Susan! I know you are in alot of pain right now. That sucks. I’ve never had that kind of surgery, but I’ve nursed a good friend through a surgical repair and pin in his broken femur (in the greater trochanter) and more recently a double total knee replacement. You are definately going through one of the most painful recoveries anyone could have.
Hopefully you are a little better every day now and you are letting everyone wait on you hand and foot. You deserve it!!!
Wishing you a speedy recovery!!
Comment by Lowrydr | 12.3.2007 | 12:45 pm
Great news on the return to the Homefront. It will all fall in place with some minor adjustments. Have some nice Herbal Tea for the queezyness. That is legal in Utah right?
As for nasty weather riding, we have one here every year. It’s the first Saturday of Feb. rain, cold or shine. It has been as high as 50’s and as low as 0 or below. It’s called the BRR and it’s run on the roads of the open plains of central Iowa. It’s only 23 or so miles long and has 100 to 1,500 show up depending on the weather.
Comment by Chris | 12.3.2007 | 12:45 pm
Thanks for the update. I was telling my wife how inspiring Susan is to me and how she just keeps on fighting. It’s great. Welcome home.
Comment by Susan (another one) | 12.3.2007 | 12:53 pm
Ginger is good for nausea. Ginger tea or REAL ginger ale.
HTH
Comment by Medstudentitis | 12.3.2007 | 1:12 pm
Wishing you all the best and good results from path.
Comment by regina | 12.3.2007 | 1:22 pm
YEAH! Glad your home Susan. Hoping the pain is fading. never worry about entertaining us. When I was a kid, my uncle had a restaurant, and he made delicious lemon meringue pies, a friend of his came in every day for months to get one, because his wife who was going through cancer treatment only wanted those pies. I tell you this only because sometimes it is good to be reminded especially in a house where there are kids that sometimes anything will do in the land of food. There are no food rules when your not feeling your best. Prayers your way.
Comment by Anonymous | 12.3.2007 | 1:41 pm
Hope all is well. Glad you’re home! Will continue to send thoughts your way and good luck with the pathology report.
Following is my most miserable ride as described by my brother on his blog. It was May 2006.
My sister came down from Boise so we hooked up with my brother-in-law for a ride up the South Fork party ride. Turns out that that cold front didn’t miss Orem, it was just delayed.
I kept going up South Fork Canyon because I seriously underestimated how cold it would be coming down. My sister kept going up because “I knew it would be too cold to go down” Nice logic.
The weather up South Fork was perfect for hypothermia tonight: a little chilly, light wind and rain. Throw in three people wearing a lot of spandex without a lot of body fat, send them down the canyon at 25 mph (We kept braking because it was so cold) and you’ve got a serious situation at 8:40 at night.
So we called my wife on the cell phone and huddled in the men’s room til she got there to save us. It was cool (well, cold).
Comment by DNAtsol | 12.3.2007 | 1:52 pm
As you can see, you have a much bigger family than you thought While you were worrying about Susan we worried for you and Susan too. We were also able to entertain ourselves and express our affection and best wishes to you both.
Frankly, we almost didn’t need you at all – except for the regular updates on Susan’s condition. Until the next post we prattled on amongst one another using the previous post :)
Oh, about that we’re all one big family thing……. I haven’t received my allowance and I have my eye on a nice tandem for “Fan of Susan” and me. If you could just get that sent along I’d appreciate it….. uuuuuummm, dad???
Haven’t been cycling regularly long enough for a bad weather story but I’ll bet I’ll have one later this winter. Let’s do this idea again in Feb or March. That would be a hoot. Fatty could round up some cold weather swag and we could all deliberately attempt to take an utterly miserable ride. Let’s share the pain :)
Best wishes to you both with hopes of a speedy and healthy recovery
Comment by Born4Lycra | 12.3.2007 | 2:03 pm
Welcome Home! That’s a pretty quick turn around after surgery like that isn’t it? This question is based on my limited knowledge of these things – I had a surprise wisdom tooth extraction at the dentist last week and went back to work afterwards. I was pretty impressed by myself until FC’s blogs put it all into perspective. Susan I am still inspired and a 16″ looooooong scar as well. How did Kheanu (spelt correctly?) put it – Pain is temporary, Glory (in this case love) lasts forever and hopefully FC digs scars!
Worst weather ride 100kms approx into a strong northerly wind in 40 deg C heat and going through before the drink stops were set up. My fault I was just plain stupid.
Comment by Tripp | 12.3.2007 | 2:20 pm
Elden:
Don’t be afraid to push the doctors on the pain medication issue. What I mean by that is if a pain med isn’t working well (e.g., minimal pain relief, creates GI issues, etc.), call them up and say “can we try something else? This one isn’t cutting it.” After my surgery (thyroid cancer) I probably went through four or five different pain meds to find one that didn’t make me vomit within 30 minutes of taking it. Of course, by that time I was five days post surgery and the pain was down quite a lot anyway, but you still shouldn’t accept pain medication that isn’t doing its job. Now if you’ve already done all this then I’m sorry. The post-surgery pain medication issue is the main reason I literally still have the occassional nightmare that I’m going to need surgery…
Comment by yukirin boy | 12.3.2007 | 2:57 pm
Welcome home Susan,
Fatty you’re doing a wonderful job. How did Susan take the sight of the truck and not the van?
Worst weather ride – riding to school in the snow, my skinny road tyres cutting through the snow so I could go faster than the cars around which were sliding all over the place. That was until the brakes clogged up with snow and started to slow me down. So I had to stop every few hundred yards to de-ice the brakes and clear out a space so the wheels could rotate. Plastic bags over my shoes – I looked like a crazed lunatic too. Mybike didnt’t forgive me for weeks!
Comment by cloud19th | 12.3.2007 | 3:20 pm
oooh, narcotics are not fun, I hope she can eat a little with them because last year after I had surgery I was on ‘em and didn’t eat with one dose.. that was a bad (barfy) few hours. And when one _does_ eat, the side effect is .. uncomfortable. I hope you have some good smoothie recipes.
Sending lots of well Wednesday-ish wishes for your family!
Comment by blinddrew | 12.3.2007 | 3:32 pm
I just want to iterate the comments of so many people above – today, no-one cares if you’re witty or satirical or trying to entertain us in any other way. You do that enough. At the moment we just hope for the best for Susan (and you, but in a kind of secondary way ;¬) ).
All the best from the other side of the pond
Drew
Comment by MOM | 12.3.2007 | 4:12 pm
there are times that I am proud to be a mother. And now is one of them. And blessed to have such a great daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Love you all and see you tomorrow.
Comment by MOM | 12.3.2007 | 4:12 pm
there are times that I am proud to be a mother. And now is one of them. And blessed to have such a great daughter-in-law and grandchildren. Love you all and see you tomorrow.
Comment by Barb | 12.3.2007 | 4:25 pm
Recovery is tough but being home to do it is so much better than even “The Marriott”. And those narcotic side effects? Three words: Milk of Magnesia. Works wonders.
Stay well.
Comment by SpikeBlue | 12.3.2007 | 4:28 pm
Home Sweet Home.
Despite your home not being set up for Susan, I know how nice it is to come home to your own bed, your kids, your own food, and all your own stuff. That alone will help Susan heal 10 x faster.
As to my worst weather ride – I generally avoid riding in bad weather! I have gotten rained on pretty good in the summer time, but that just feels good.
My thoughts are with your family.
Comment by David | 12.3.2007 | 4:49 pm
For what it’s worth, and as always, Susan and you are in my thoughts. Let me give you some cancer good news.
Sarah, my 26 yo surrogate daughter, was declared “cured” of Hodgkins Disease today. She finished her chemo two weeks ago, and today the radiologist said he was thinking she didn’t require radiation. She has an 85% chance of no recurrence without radiation, and a 90-95% chance of no recurrence with radiation, but with radiation her chances of breast cancer, or CAD increase by 50%.
Comment by KeepYerBag | 12.3.2007 | 5:31 pm
There’s no place like home, especially when you’re coming home from the hospital.
My mother in law had hip surgery a couple weeks ago. She’s now in a nursing home where she gets one hour of physical therapy and is virtually unattended to for the rest of the day (which affirms my belief that nursing homes are a lot like prisons except prisoners get better healthcare). Fortunately Mom has plenty of family nearby to help her out.
The KeepYerBag family is praying the pathology reports are clean and that you have a speedy recovery.
Comment by Harp | 12.3.2007 | 7:21 pm
Hope she starts feeling better soon. I’m sure its nice to be home even though that hospitel/Marriot suite was nice.
Comment by Jodi | 12.3.2007 | 8:14 pm
I’ll bet the kids are happy to have you two back in-house….mentioned your circumstances to a local church here againg this week, so you have a bunch of ironic, hip and kind Brooklynites praying for you.
Comment by Joi Gem | 12.3.2007 | 10:46 pm
Dear Fatty,
I’ve been reading this blog for a few months now. I just happened upon it while surfing during some very recent couch potato days. (I don’t cycle and I barely make it to the gym my given 4 times a week- but love this blog.)
It’s nice to laugh at the end of the day but, like many other people on this blog, true concern for you and your family has grown.
I’m glad that Susan is able to be at home and that she is getting better (as difficult as it may be). Our thoughts are with you.
Comment by Little1 | 12.4.2007 | 12:42 am
you’re home, you’re home, you’re home YAY!
Ok so my worst weather riding experience… not even close to the pain Susan is in but hey lets comiserate!
It was a race up in the Drakensberg (Mountain Range in SA) the race is held at the beginning of Spring. It was a typical crisp Spring morning 10Cdeg or 50Fdeg. So of course you have a few layer on to try and keep the chill at bay, but you know that on the start line you are gonna take them all off and ride cold for a short while until you warm up. Now why would you take the warm kit off, well because by the time you reach half way you know that the temp will rise to 30Cdeg or 86Fdeg.
Not this year… the temp by the half way mark was breaching 40Cdeg or 104Fdeg! I was taking serious strain, add to that the altitude and the fact that the air wasn’t moving (no breeze at all) it just sat on us hot and dry. It was the one and only time my heart rate monitor has ever showed me 120% max. I thought I would lean down and grab some liquid refreshment, only to find what little was left was as warm as tea (now I like tea, in fact I’m a bit of tea pot, but I would not replace an ice-cold energy drink with tea … not ever)!
Of course at the very point where I started weighing up the level of guilt for a DNF… my future mother and sister in law came cruising past (in the car people, in the car). As any self respecting cyclist I was not gonna bail then. Some how, I’m not sure how (maybe that ego thing I just mentioned??) but I made it to the finish. Straight after the race I took off my shoes and dove straight into the pool still in all the cycle gear (quite amusing to watch the contents of the cycle jersey pockets also cooling off and floating around the pool… pool cleaner didn’t think it was so funny).
Lets just say I won’t do that race again until they move the start time earlier so we are not still riding when the temp rises!
Comment by Alex | 12.4.2007 | 3:43 am
All the best for Susan and her recovery. I can sure empathise with her trials, enduring my own leg trauma this year and also seeing a couple of friends go through the cancer thing too.
But great support from family and friends saw us through, as will your support for Susan.
Comment by Uphill Battle | 12.4.2007 | 4:45 am
Sending prayers and good wishes your way. It’s always darkest before the dawn. Hang in there Susan!
Comment by buckythedonkey | 12.4.2007 | 4:54 am
Welcome home Susan! :-)
Comment by will | 12.4.2007 | 5:26 am
There’s no place like home.
Best thoughts on feeling better
Comment by Purduerose | 12.4.2007 | 5:58 am
Glad that Susan is home with you!
Hopefully it won’t be long before we get to read all about how well her new hip is working for her (with out the pain). And as long as you keep your humor with Susan (laughter is the best medicine) then we want these updates, so we can send thoughts and prayers for your Family.
Comment by Crash | 12.4.2007 | 6:07 am
Dear Fatty;
I am not one to commonly write Blogs but your love and empathy for your wife are moving. I pray that she feels better and heals. God bless and best wishes.
Crash.
Comment by Pammap | 12.4.2007 | 6:34 am
Fatty, as you know, you’ve got some interesting readers on this blog. I clicked on some of the names that have links attached. Good reading.
Bitter (formerly known as Lissee) has a very funny youtube link, Pachelbel Rant. She’s cute too. Be sure to read the tribute to her sister, Annee. Beautiful!
Alex writes about the challenges he’s overcoming after an accident. Courageous and inspiring.
This blog-community you’ve created is quite something!
Comment by StevenNYC | 12.4.2007 | 6:45 am
Wishing Susan a speedy recovery and a Happy, Healthy Holiday and New Year!!!
When my mother-in-law had a hip replacement I found that with a few hose clamps, zipp ties and bungee cords the Thule bike rack became a portible bed rack. Much easier than trying to fit her into a car or mini van. A warm blanket and ski goggles and she was fine…
Best to you and Susan and keep smiling!!
Comment by Dave | 12.4.2007 | 6:49 am
Eldon, we used to come here for the humor, the cycling, and the self indulgant stories. Now we come because we care. Welcome home.
Comment by Gillian | 12.4.2007 | 7:09 am
I’m so sorry for your family having to go through this. May your pain steadily decrease, and I pray that 2008 is a pain free year for your family.
Comment by XCTiger | 12.4.2007 | 7:32 am
Welcome home Fatty Family. While the accomodations in the hospital sure looked fine, we (and the Drs) all know there is no place like home to speed up ones recovery.
Given what you’ve been up to, the blog should be be way down on your list of priorities. Keep giving us occasional updates as to how Susan and the you are doing and we’ll take care of the rest.
My bad weather story —–
In May of 2005 I was part of a group of 50 who rode from Utica, NY to Washington DC to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Mohawk Valley office of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. 60 miles into day 2, we were hit with a torrential downpour of rain and then a couple of minutes of nickel-sized hail. You can’t imagine the sound hail makes on a helmet. After that stopped I looked over to the guy riding next to me and said “That was refreshing”. He almost feel off the bike laughing. He still looks at me and laughs about it.
Comment by Boz | 12.4.2007 | 7:39 am
After reading about your recent eating habits, I couldn’t help but wonder about how your weight has been doing. The I saw the banner ads for Bariatric surgery, and my curiosity was satisfied.
Susan, here’s to a speedy and complete recovery. Get well. Soon.
Comment by regina | 12.4.2007 | 7:45 am
oh heck I totally forgot about this too, though it may not help it may be worth a try, I cannot take narcotic pain releavers, super puker. So I Always ask for Toradol. Now here is the kicker straight from the drug rep from years ago when I worked in a Drs. office. you have to take a loading dose. So it comes in a 30mg tablet so you take 2 tablets first and then you take one, I think every three hours, yea that sounds right the PDR will know. If your going to ask the dr. for alternatives this could maybe help, and it is usually easy to get because it is not a narcotic. Good luck, prayers your way.
Comment by domestique goddess | 12.4.2007 | 9:40 am
Fatty, we love you when you’re funny, we love you when you’re not so funny! (happily that is almost never) We love you fat, we love you thin, we love you through thick and thin. You and susan have handled this &*% so gracefully. And you’ve kept us updated when hitting the computer must have been the last thing you wanted to do. All the time while being a devoted husband and father. Geez, you’re the perfect man! Except for that whole weight- yoyoing/food addiction thingy. Hardly worth mentioning. (sorry i did)
Susan, how wonderful to be home. As was mentioned above, i hope you’re being waited on hand and foot. Get a big bell and keep Fatty jumpin! Hope you are feeling yourself again soon. All positive thoughts/prayers/wishes to you! When i feel down about inconsequential things i think of all you are going through and it puts things in perspective. Yes i still hate riding the trainer in the basement with grasshoppers attacking left and right. (i HATE grasshoppers) but it could be worse. Thanks for the inspiration. Think Italy!
Comment by Laura Isom | 12.4.2007 | 9:46 am
Elden,
We’ve been watching your blog since about July when someone told me about Susan. We’re keeping Susan and your family in our prayers!
Eric, Laura & kids
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Comment by Rebecca | 12.4.2007 | 10:59 am
Fatty, If Susan is comfy in a chair, get one of those travel pillows and don’t pressure her to get into bed. I slept in a chair for 10 days after my breast cancer/reconstruction surgery. It wasn’t great sleep, but it was better then worrying about how to get in and out of bed.
Susan will do great. Don’t forget to take a few seconds for yourself each day too.
Comment by Canadian Roadie | 12.4.2007 | 11:19 am
I’m glad to hear that Susan is home – that means she’s getting better! My thoughts are with you and I hope that pain and all those side effects start subsiding soon.
I’m a fair weather rider so I don’t have any bad weather stories, though I have seen some crazies out there the last couple of days in the pouring rain and blowing wind (Victoria, BC). I admire (?) their perseverence but it sure feels nice to arrive at work warm and dry after a bus ride.
Comment by bashzilla | 12.4.2007 | 11:28 am
Glad Susan is home… everything is better when you are at home. We are all pulling for you.
Comment by formertdfan | 12.4.2007 | 6:09 pm
Hey fatty and susan,
I am just going to keep on hoping and praying for a speedy recovery for susan, and for the death of any evil tumor cells.
Comment by Sean | 12.4.2007 | 7:22 pm
My uncle just had hip replacement surgery, the first week was pretty rough but he’s doing great now. Hang in there, it’ll be worth it!
Comment by pantaloonfan | 12.5.2007 | 4:35 am
Good luck to Susan and your family for a speedy recovery, and the best of news regarding the overriding condition… it must be tough to deal with knowing that there may be yet more to come that will challenge her obviously overwhelming mettle.
Whether the funny is on tap or not, we will keep coming, so don’t worry about it…
I know for myself, nursing a broken collarbone (not even a fun riding accident story, freshly waxed stairs in a strange house, in sockfeet at night), that the narcotic pain relievers even of the non-high octane variety definitely made for a very stalled and strange GI tract situation. Hopefully you find something that works well on the pain and is still tolerable in other ways.
Hang in there, good luck and healing for her, and good news hopefully will be coming for you, her, and the family…
Comment by Earl | 12.5.2007 | 6:48 am
News about Susan is good. And reasonably GOOD news is GREAT. Don’t worry about it.
Comment by Judi | 12.5.2007 | 4:14 pm
Eldon, you and Susan hang in there! You have so many people supporting you and cheering you on! Just hang tough! And tell Susan to eat Activia yogurt every day to help with her digestion. It will help so much. Take care, Judi