Tom & Barb: Congratulations on your Anniversary and may God bless you with many more happy years together. I am so glad to hear your recovery is going so great. Keep up the good work, Tom, as we all know you will. I hope you and your family have a great 4th of July holiday.
Jane

Tom,
I am so glad to hear that you are experiencing your recovery with a great sense of humor! And most of all that your progress is so good. Thoughts and prayers are with you still, and keep up the great posts to your blog!
Sue Coleman

Well Tom I have looked at it again and I am sorry to say, that it is the Great ape I am not seeing things he is back.
What do I win a kick in the pants or a big ape hug

Dale

Hey there Tom. Glad to see your doing fine again. I am in full agreement with the lawnmowing job. Fresh air and less stress. And for some reason I just cant picture you jamming out to some Ac/Dc or Iron Maiden while mowing. But the book on tape seems like a good idea. Anyways hope things keep lookin up for you. Keep in touck

-Chickenwing Mike

I told you that the great ape is back, and on your chest, now it is forever a Kodak moment excuse the pun.

dale

Hi Tom
Looks like the face of a little chimpanzee!

Fran

Hi Tom

Great to see you are doing well. Stay on the road to recovery and take care of yourself. I am also an avid "mower" however the turkey farm does not take me as long to mow as your lawn takes you. I must admit I am a little envious of your zero turn, that will be my next mower. Again, take care of yourself.
Sharon S. Mattison

Tom, nice to know I'm not the only one having a problem with "the grown-up thing". I used to have a bet with Kellie who would grow up first...she's passed it on to my grandaughter...Hope all is going with well you...hope to see ya around soon..don't stop the writing..
Paul Kimball

ooh ooh - pick me! those marks look strikingly similar to the ones pete had after his surgery. my guess ... small incision holes left in your side from where the jam the tools inside of you to do their miracle work. let me know if i am close :0)

so glad you seem to be doing so well after all of this. still a road ahead of you but you will get there sooner than you think. you are always in my thoughts.

love, kristin

Hey, Tom,
A card is on its way via snail mail. Andrea just sent me your blog link this morning. I'm glad surgery didn't do any damage to your prolific writing style or your sense of humor. I'm sure it's been rocky and you've wondered many times, just what you've undertaken. But trust me and listen to your cargivers - you will feel so much better soon. Don't push yourself; just do a little more every day. And yes, Tom, listen to Barb. :) Hope you continue on the great path to wellness!
Ann Harrington

Hey Tom, Glad you're feeling pretty good. Your sense of humor will get you through the therpy and the exercises you should be doing now. Smile buddy, and keep it up. Dee M

Hey everyone, I just read the 6/24th entry. TOM'S BACK..... love, Sandy & Dale

You are amazing!!!!!!!!!

Johnette-

I love the 6/24 entry. I wonder what else is going to be in the man cave. Great that you and Barb worked out the cooler thing. It has been a week already and glad that you are at home and following all of your instructions with some minor changes. Take care of yourself and we will see you after we get back from NC.

Hi Tom
As they say, you got your groove back. Reads like the pre op Tom. Barbara is one smart lady, obviously a keeper.
Fran

Tom,

Glad that you're recovering well and that you didn't lose your sense of humor during surgery!

My surgery was 5 weeks ago today and with a couple of blips, everyday is better. I even started driving again today!! (I haven't been so excited to drive since I was 16!)

And . . . Frosted Flakes have gotten me through my recovery so far. (I haven't had them in years but they're one of the few things that I seem interested in eating so I got a giant sized box at Costco!!) So enjoy them (and the beef on weck . . . I grew up in Buffalo so I know what a treat that is!)

Ricki Shine

Glad to hear you are home and that everything went well! We have been praying for you everynight, caleb keeps asking me who uncle tom is when we pray together at night? I showed him your picture, and he remembers your name tag and pulling it and then letting it snap back :) Glad that aunt barb keep us informed while you were resting up! Glad you were able to see beth and matt on fathers day. Still praying for you especially for a speedy recovery! We love you!
Mike, Carrie, Caleb and Gabriel

Hey Tom!

You are sounding terrific and obviously getting back to your usual mindset. Good for you. How's nurse Barbara? Are you behaving?

Our life-saving surgeries are an amazing procedure and waking up and knowing we survived being there is equally a wonderful feeling. Our scars are our badge of courage so wear it proudly.

Nice to see your report.

Cheryl, Ontario

Hi Tom,
So happy to hear from you. It is so wierd because you are the first person to mention the shadow figures you have seen since surgery. I also saw them for a couple of weeks post surgery. In my 3rd week now. I woke David up a couple of times out of sleep screaming.If I was already awake it really didn't bother me. They don't have me on Vicodin but Percocet. I hope you continue to feel better with each passing day,
Kimberly

Hey Uncle Tom,
I'm so glad you're home and resting up! You and the fam have been in my thoughts, and your journal entries have been great to read. Miss you and hope to see you soon!
Love,
Steph

Hi Tom
You're back,not quite as funny as before surgery but guess that's the vicodan. Hope you are really enjoying that man cave you perfected before surgery. Continue to walk, use your spirometer and listen to your dear wife.
Fran

Tom, happy that you are doing great! Thought of you often the last couple of days. My thoughts and prays are with you every day. Barb, hanging in there!! It can only get better. If either of you need anything please let us know. Love, Judy

Dad I am soooo glad that you are home!!! Mom you are freakin awesome handling things over there. If you need anything Katie and I are just a song away (preferably anything from Sound of Music or Anne) :) Have a great day mwah
luv V

Glad to hear things are progressing so well. I read your blog daily and think that writing is so therapeutic. One of the best parts is being able to read back later and reflect...you will see what an amazing experience that you encountered. You both remain in my thoughts.

Thanks Barb for keeping everyone updated. I'm sure it is easier on you than answering a million phone calls every night. All this new technology makes our world even smaller. You are both in our thoughts and looking forward to hearing from Tom soon. Love, Sandy & Dale.

great job Barb. Keep stepping back and be the wife...

Hi Barb and Tom,
Well sounds like the only thing Tom lost was a little time on the clock. I know when I had the surgery it was strange to wake up and have had 2 hours go by and no recollection of any of it.
And then there is Tom's sense of humor, like no one else. I am glad to hear things are moving along. You will be glad to know we put the wedding gift to good use, upgraded to a inflared outdoor grill. Our garage sale last weekend was a success and gave us enough to buy the grill we were looking at and then your gift allowed us to get a better one. If you ever get a chance to visit us in Binghamton, I can show you how it works. Right now I have 4 tanks of propane and will have 5 when we pick up the new grill. Guess I will not run out for a couple weeks.
Get better do all the things you are supposed to and live long. And Please Tom, take it easy on Barb she is only thinking of you. This reminds me of a quote I found on a card and gave Deb, "May I live one day less than you so I never have to live without you."

Bob and Deb

Hi Barb and Tom

It's great to hear things are moving along for Tom. Keep strong and keep him working.

Cheryl, Ontario

I didn't even see that David had signed before I did...lol:)

Hi Barb,
Thanks for keeping us updated. I completely understand Tom not feeling up to reading the journal or eating. My tastebuds definitely changed and in the past 2 weeks I have lost 11 lbs.Please know that we are thinking of you both. We know that you also have a very hard job ahead of you. Our prayers and thoughts are with you,
Kimberly and David

Hey Barb,
Good to know that Tom's sense of humor is returning. Sometimes, you have to remember to laugh regardless of how much pain your in. And, I think the fact that he was watching a Star Trek movie is a perfect recovery movie.
Hang in there, get some rest when you can.

Take Care
David and Kimberly Schlienz
Greenville, NC

Tom -
I'm so glad your surgery went well. Make sure you are listening to that nurse you have 24 hrs a day, I'm sure she didn't come cheap :)

Brenda

Glad to see you are home. Take it easy and try and follow the advice from "that nurse".

Dick O.

Hi Tom & Barb,
It is true "There is no place like home" I am so glad that everything went so well and you can now rest comfortably in that big recliner with everything you need. Just remember to take one day at a time and you will see that as each day passes, it gets better. You both are always in my thoughts and prayers!
Love,
Sandy & Bob

Welcome home Deacon Dad! Hopefully Monica and I will be able to visit you this weekend when we are home.

Brian

Tom:
So glad you are home, and I expect you and Barb are too. There is nothing like the comfort of your own home and bed. I will continue to keep you both in my prayers. You have many sunny days ahead.
Jane

Tom,
Happy to hear that you're home and in good hands. Be a good patient for Barbara. Keeping you in my prayers. This is not a speedy type of recovery so take it a day at a time and enjoy the second life God has given you. I will also pray for Barbara, your special caregiver.
Rae Liese

Congrats - way to go Tom - isn't it great to get back home? Good Luck & God Bless!

Kyle in Montana

It was good to see you and Barb at home today. Whatever you do listen to your new nurse (drink plenty of fluids). If either of you need anything let me know. Bill has offered to mow the lawn. We leave on the 28th for NC but he could do it before then or when he gets back. He promises to take good care of your lawnmowers. You just make sure that you take good care of yourself. Love Bill and Ann.

Hi Tom,

Glad to hear you are home, now the real resting can begin! You have a great support system at home and a loving wife! Sounds like a great cook, too! Take it easy and don't overdo it and I will continue to pray for you.

Melany

Welcome home Tom! Rick & I went to visit you this afternoon and we just missed you. That's ok though because you are home with your wonderful wife. We are there with you in spirit! Have a good night in the man cave!! :)
Barb, try & get some rest too. If you need anything please let us know. We would be happy to assist in any way we can.
God Bless~Tina

Hi Tom & Barb
The beef stew sounds great, but lack of or poor appetite is the norm for a few days. I didn't get my appetite back 100% for a couple of months, but that was okay. Rest is the key, but please remember to get up and do some walking even if it's up and down the hall at home. Don't think it'll be too long before your wit is back Tom. It's a pretty awesome thing to realize what your body has gone through. Prayers to you for a super, uneventful recovery.
Fran

SO glad that Tom is home!! One day at a time for both of you! Hugs to you Barb to keep you going! He is so lucky to have you by his side. Warmly, Vivian

Keeping you in our thoughts and prayers!
Love,

Rich and Cate Figaro

Hi Barb and Tom

Patience has to rule the way of this surgery and there is no getting around it. Things are going to come back but ever so slowly. Some of us have found that when we try to rush things we end up having a set-back so take notice. You sound as if you are recovering well so keep it up.

Cheryl, Ontario

Tom, glad to hear all is going well. Barb, Keep up the good work of getting your rest, too!
Hope you are discharged soon and take care...one step at a time.
Love Maggie Gerlach

Uncle Tom,

Hang in there, we are a tough family and knowing how we are as a family we are too damned stubborn to let a little heart surgery slow us down. We are all thinking of you down here. I hope to visit soon.

-John

Hi Tom,

Happy Father's Day. I am glad to hear you are doing well. I have been praying for you and will continue to do so! You have such a great support system at home, loving wife, great kids and I am sure the grandkids are the best pick up there can be! Just think, before long you will chasing them around and laughing with them. Oh, and by the way, I like to beard, Santa!

Melany

Happy Father's Day to an awesome Dad....what a wonderful gift, a new start...a gift to your family and yourself. God Bless you all... Hugs from Mary Mann

Hi --This is from Barb.. I do not know who wrote the last post on Sunday june 20th @ 0830.. Thanks for that comment. yesterday I went up to see Tom and I just started crying. I said to Tom I feel so emotional today and I do not know why. You are right...It has been an emotional roller coster.
Happy father's day to all the Fathers. I know it sure is a blessed one for us
Love barb