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35 minutes ago

Many of you may not be aware but almost a year ago ( 27th to be exact ), I became a grandfather ( Pa) . I didn’t get the chance to share the good news because, at the time, I was in quite the predicament.

Through the late fall and into the winter, I had some soreness in my midsection. But, I’d come to accept the fact that when you reach a certain age, you’re sore a lot . Especially if you’re active, which I am. But it kinda came to a head one morning when I sat up in bed and immediately grabbed my gut and let out a groan, which caught Stephanie's attention . She made me go to the ER.

Diverticulitis. And it had gone on long enough that an abscess had developed. They sent me home with antibiotics with instructions that if anything changed, I was supposed to come back.

Within 24 hours, I was vomiting . Violently. So, I was back. This time, admitted for about four days of IV antibiotics. Sent home with more antibiotics.

Initially, I was feeling better. But as I was ending my cycle of medication, the pain was coming back. Back to the ER.

The abscess had actually grown and the fear was of perforation of the bowel . That ended up happening , I went septic and now I was in the mentioned “predicament” .

My surgeon tried to place a drain to alleviate the abscess and get things under control. However, a couple days after the drain was placed, my nasal-gastric tube was removed and immediately after, I had the most violent vomiting episodes I’ve ever experienced. And with every stomach muscle contraction, the level of pain was off the charts. Pain medicine wasn’t touching it and getting rest wasn’t an option.

One early morning, one of my medical team was making his rounds while I was in the midst of one of my bouts and made the determination that I was going into surgery. That morning. My surgeon was going to have to remove that section of large intestine, all together. 01/31/25. My birthday lol.

But !!!…while this was going on my beautiful daughter by marriage had given birth to a very handsome, healthy boy . Leo had come into the world. She was two floors below me, so poor Stephanie was running back and forth between floors. That poor, long-suffering woman. May God bless , protect, and keep her. She was also have to contend with a water heater that had gone out at the house. And she was still running the show for her home health company’s branch that comprises most of SW Oklahoma.

I had a colostomy bag ( called it my ‘Pride Purse’ because irony and sarcasm I find funny ) until I was sewn back together in May .

I’ve been watching Leo for a unique characteristic or behavior so I could dub him with a suitable nickname. Something that could grow with him . Leo and his parents are staying with us for a time as his Dad separates from the Army before he begins school and work. So, I get to observe him a lot throughout the day . Always zooming around the house in his walker all the while making his funny “calls” as he learns to manipulate his voice.

When Leo naps or goes “night night” , he sits in his crib and occupies himself until sleep overtakes him . Then, he just slumps forward. Straight folded.

Meet “Jack Knife “.
I think “Jack Knife “ and I are going to have lots of fun and adventures.
Incidentally, the VA sent me tons of Pride Purses . So , I decided to incorporate them as Halloween treat disbursement. “Trick or treat “…trick or trauma. [Linked Image]

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