Surgery update

Donna's surgery went well and Bobby brought her home today. For those who aren't aware, she had an "abdominal laparotomy and left salpingo-oophorectomy" which means they took out the left ovary via the abdomen. An oncologist (Dr. Rosenshein from Mercy hospital in Baltimore) did the surgery with Donna's local doctor, Dr. Solberg. The adhesions (from many previous surgeries) were wrapped around nerves, arteries, the ovary, and everything near by. Even the specialist said it was a challenge...but he is the best and did a great job. The surgery was Friday morning and she is home tonight catching up on all of that great hospital sleep! She came home with a drain in place (the same type of drain that Bobby had, "Darla" after his surgery) -- I'm sure we'll have pictures soon! The drain should come out on the 29th and maybe the 100 or so staples too. Bobby still has to count. He counted 35 to the center but the nurses think it is more. The nursing care at the hospital was wonderful and we had nothing to complain about--isn't that amazing!

We hope everyone is doing well and we'll try to keep in touch. I'm going to post a very interesting grading report on Julie's blog (www.julieharsh.blogspot.com) soon. It is amazing how they grade things these days. So much for the black grade book!

We're down to a few hours...

Donna's surgery is in the morning. We have to be at the hospital at 5:30. I'll finish packing in the morning. We've been busy all day and I'm very tired. Bobby is already asleep. I will update the blog after the surgery although it may be after we get home. Washington Co. doesn't have Internet like Frederick does. I'm sure the new hospital will have it though. If all goes as planned, the surgery will be Friday morning and I'll be home Sunday morning. I'm in good hands because Bobby will be right beside me the entire time.

Love to all,
Talk to you soon

A favorite childhood recipe...

When Donna was a child, her mother used to fix this often. The best part was the "Hasty-Tasty Sauce" which came from a recipe in the Good Housekeeping Cookbook. Donna searched for the REAL recipe and finally found a vintage cookbook with the recipe. I bought it at Wonder Books many years ago so I would have my own copy. Now, I have my mother's original cookbook dated 1943 (older than she is). Here is the recipe from the original cookbook...

Cube Steaks with Hasty Tasty Sauce

Buy 4 small cube steaks (about 1lb.). Sprinkle with 1 t. salt, 1/8 t. pepper, 3 T. flour. In 3 T. hot fat in skillet, brown steaks quickly (2-3 minutes) on both sides. Remove. (I drain on paper towels). To fat left in skillet, add 1 t. dry mustard; 1 t. Worcestershire; 3 T. chili sauce or catsup; 2 T. lemon juice. Heat till boiling, stirring. Spoon over steaks. Serve at once. Makes 4 servings.

With less than 2 weeks until Donna's surgery, the countdown begins. Housework, shopping, meal preparation, getting the house in order, and not being home for a few days are among the worries at the top of the list. I don't think anyone else here is worried or aware-which is fine. The laundry just won't get done for a few days. I don't want to have to put any extra stress or worries on Bobby, he is supposed to be taking care of himself--not me. I'll be back in no time. I wonder if they have internet at the hospital...??? I prefer hospitals with private rooms, a place for my spouse to stay WITH ME, and a Starbucks in the lobby. I'd like to have my hair done the day after surgery, and perhaps a pedi--although my wonderful husband always fixes me up with that! I knew we should have had this done in L.A.!!! What was I thinking?!