Update- Friday, Feb. 13- AND a Personal Message From Bob

Hi folks,

Below is a personal message from Bob (yes, we cleaned it up a bit!!) and the most recent update (mixed news).

Overall, Bob is feeling better each day, but many challenges still lie ahead. Your continuing concern and support will help him through this. All that info is in the update following his note to all of you.

A NOTE FROM BOB:

"Yo, Yo, Yo to all my students! It's 12 noon Friday.

This morning has been a very emotional one for me. All my 16 year old hormones kicked in. (Where is my testosterone medicine when I need it?) I woke up at 7 a.m. after 10 hours of sleep. My new registered nurse, Stephanie, came in with a big ol' smile and a nice 'good morning' greeting. We started talking, one subject lead to another and I told her how I've taught masonry at A.B. Miller High and how I am so damn proud of my kids. Then, tears started running down my face while I talked with her for about 40 minutes. Stephanie is a 'pro listener' for sure!! Next, my doctor and physician's assistant came in and my blubbering started all over again. Then, I called my wife Shelly, and started blubbering to her. I asked her to bring my A.B. Miller Masonry hat down. Then a friend of 40 years who works here came in and I started blubbering again!!! Then I spoke by phone with Susie Harriger, my neighbor, friend and a counselor at A.B. Miller. Then it was HER turn to listen to me try to talk and cry at the same time.

Today, my daughter Brandi brought down a couple of my A.B. Miller masonry photo albums and and two large picture collages of me and my Miller kids throughout the years. They are now hanging proudly on my hospital room walls. So many of the Kaiser people ask what I do and wanted to see some pictures. Now they can see for themselves. I've been here 11 days now so most of them think I've moved in!! One of the nurses who came in today was on duty the night I first came in and helped prep me for my first emergency surgery. She didn't recognize me at first today, because I looked so bad that night, but she remembered what bad shape I was in. She was so happy to see me with color in my face and to learn that I made it through.

It's now 2 p.m. and I'm writing again. I'm waiting for a phone call from Johnny Cornajo, my G.A. (Guardian Angel), the young man who helped save my life when I bled out at work a week ago Tuesday. I'm really looking forward to talking to him.

Well, thanks to everyone for everything you've done for me. You'll never know how much your thoughts, prayers and deeds have meant to me and how you helped me, and continue to help me, through these tough times.

Oh, and yes David and Terri, I would LOVE some Oak Glen licorice. Just be sure to sneak it by the staff!!

Bob

P.S. I just got off the phone with Johnny C. I was so happy to talk with you, 'G.A. Johnny.'"

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UPDATE: As you can tell, Bob is now dealing with the emotions he's held in check since being admitted last week. He has an old favorite saying of "You have to get the poison out." Today, he followed his own advice, something we have all been waiting for him to do. Thanks to all of you who lent a sympathetic and caring ear today.

As for the news, his wound continues to heal. The plastic surgeon examined him today and repositioned the "wound vacuum" to further assist in the drying and shrinking of the wound. The wound is actually a large surgical incision that remains open in his right groin/upper thigh area. It is where the cancer was removed and where some cancer still remains. The doc shared with us that most of the pathological reports of the tissue taken during surgery have come back and while most of them were negative, there is still some cancer in the upper thigh muscle. We all hoped the reports would be negative, but we knew this cancer has been fairly adept at hiding from us and then returning with a vengeance. The plastic surgeon will still perform the "wound cover" surgery next week, and he is still leaning towards a skin graft rather than going inside and stretching the rectus muscle to cover it. If the wound continues to heal as it has been, chances are good that the less invasive skin graft from his leg to the wound will still be the procedure of choice. The wound itself is about the size and width of a regular hot dog (that's the best way to describe it). The goal is to have it completely healed or, at the least, to shrink it to the size of one of those little appetizer sausages or hot dogs you see on a party tray. In any event, the surgery WILL take place next week, but the docs remain undecided as to when. Obviously, the sooner the better so the chemo treatments may begin. Irrespective of which surgery is used, how big the remaining wound is or when the surgery will takes place, chemo WILL begin within a week after the surgery.

Well, we think that covers just about everything. The docs want Bob to rest and recuperate this weekend to aid in the healing process. He is walking more, talking to some folks on the phone and regaining some mobility. And suffice it to say, he is keeping the hospital staff smiling and laughing, ESPECIALLY the females. And yes, he still asks everyone who walks in if they want to "see it." Most of us politely decline, but some just can't resist the temptation to see the surgery that has Bob craving testosterone meds!!

Thanks everyone. Your love, kindness and concern continue to shine through some dark hours for Bob and our family.

The Freemans