Chaio, Costa Rica

All right - all right! I was scolded for not having this blog updated before I leave Costa Rica. So - this has been an incredible adventure. My MGB surgery was successful - I'm able to handle different (liquified or mashed) foods well. It is a strange experience to have an appetite and have it basically satisfied with about 3-4 oz of food.

I am heading back to the states today - leaving the ranch at about 9:30am and arrive home in Enumclaw later tonight. I want to thank all who have given me and Molly support while while I was down here. We were well taken care of.

If you have any questions about my procedure and/or Costa Rica and what it has to offer (besides snow), please let me know. inetcon@msn.com

Chaio

Ever seen an angel?

Here is photo of my angel, who takes so great care of me - and all the other guests at CheTica Ranch. Her name is Francis. She is from Nicaragua and has a 10 year old son still up there. If there is a need, she takes care of it. She can speak English very well and is loved by all.

Surgery results update

Well, I just returned from my 1 week check up with my doctor and to have (a little grossness) my drain tube removed that was carrying around hanging from a hole in the side of my abdomen. Ther was about 18 inches of the flexible plastic tube inside me. Funny story - as Dr. Quesada was about to begin the extraction, I asked him about how much tubing was inside me. He responded "Do you really want to know?" I replied "Well, since you put it that way, NO!" It all went well. everything looked good and normal from his perspective and I LOST ABOUT 15 LBS in less than 1 week. Way to go Bill!! :-)

CheTica Ranch Flora - more

CheTica Ranch Flora

My Casita - "Bourbon Street"

Monday AM

After spending a lot of time watching General Conference yesterday, I was was quite tired. Today, I got up and took a nice walk up the driveway here at CheTica Ranch and spent some time swinging in a swing and getting some sun and looking over the ranch. 5 sheep (one is a cute lamb) were grazing in a pasture.

I feel a bit better today - as expected - and looking forward to meeting with my doctor on Wed to get final instructions and to remove the #$&* drain tube from my stomach - ouch!!

CheTica Ranch view

Watching LDS General Conference

Way down here in Costa Rica, you can connect your laptop to the internet and view conference sessions - however, the view above my computer is toward a portion of a small rainforest. What a blessing it is to "attend" conference this way. Gosh, my camera and my hand are in the photo.

Liquid diet

Do you know how much 30 ml of clear liquid is every 20 minutes? about the size of a shot glass. I will be "enjoying" this protocol for about a month slowly advancing to more substantial items, like watery oatmeal or really mashed vegetables, I guess. But, I coudn't ask for a beter peacful place to recuperate that at CheTica Ranch (http://cheticaranch.com) . It's owned and operated by Ruben and Lorena Martin, long time friends. Anyone interested in cosmetic surgery or dentistry should come to Costa Rica. :-) As I get about I may take some photos to add to this blog. Chaio!