10/5/2025 Sunday Off The Ship And Fly Home! (Daily Diary)
Today was a LONG day. We departed the ship at 9:30 am and went via taxi to the airport, where we spent the rest of the day getting home. We flew to Miami and then caught a non-stop to LAX, arriving there at midnight.
We looked up the "Midnight Taxi" service, and they got there right on time.
Our driver was Bob Zaitz! He got us home and unloaded in no time; I was happy to see him. He is like the brother I never had, a wonderful friend! It was after midnight when we finally hit the bed, and it took no time to fall asleep!
We got home safetly but two days later I began hurting and finally went to the ER and after some scans, I was diagnosed with a bowel obstruction.
A bowel obstruction is a blockage that prevents food, fluids, gas, or stool from moving normally through the intestines. It can happen in the small intestine or large intestine.
Common causes include scar tissue from past surgery, hernias, tumors, twisting of the bowel, severe constipation, or inflammation. Symptoms may include crampy abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, inability to pass gas or stool, and abdominal swelling.
It can be serious because pressure can build up, the bowel can lose blood flow, or the intestine can tear. Treatment depends on the cause and severity, ranging from bowel rest, IV fluids, and a tube through the nose to relieve pressure, to surgery in more severe cases.
A suspected bowel obstruction needs prompt medical evaluation.
It was a several hour surgery to remove 20" of my small intentines.
I was in the hospital for almost two weeks with Mary staying right by my side. Vicky, Bob Z, and Robin took turns watching over my when Mary needed to go home shower and change and come back. I felt very much loved in spite of beng in a lot of pain and discomfort!
I had more holes in me with needles than a pin cushion!
After two weeks we finally got to go home!!!!