A Real Retirement Celebration! January 2012

Jules has been after Norm for a while to get certain tests done before he retired so they would know they were all healthy and ready to go. Well, Jules finally shamed him into going and getting the last test, a colonoscopy. Jules already had the procedure done so Norm couldn't keep chickening out. Norm finally succumbed to the pressure of Jules, Doc Velez and all of the kids, they got him to undergo the procedure on December 30th, 2011. 

Their doctor, Nitzet Velez is a great person and an especially tolerant and personable doctor. She treats you and makes you feel like a member of her family, not just another patient. She even put up with Norm and his stupid jokes. What I really liked about her besides being so nice was that she seemed to be a touch wacky like Norm & Jules. You can meet her in person at the DeKalb Clinic and maybe even get her autograph.

This is "Doc" (that's what I called her) and me when she was explaining what she was going to do to Norm. I couldn't help but snicker a few times. He SO deserved that, but I digress. Doc had already explained everything to Norm & Jules but she took the time to explain it to me too. My snickering was a bit juvenile and because I didn't understand how really important this test is. Everyone over 40 should get this test done, it might save your life. Its really a painless procedure. You go in, fall asleep and when you wake up its all over. It couldn't be any easier!

Anyhow, Norm retired on January 3rd, 2012! A time to celebrate right? Absolutely, but not yet. The celebration was put on hold until they got the official okey dokey from Doc Velez that Norm's test went the same way as Jules' did, clear. Well, that unfortunately didn't happen...

When Jules & Norm met with Doc Velez on January 5th, 2012 for the results of the test, they weren't what Norm & Jules planned on. Norm had to go and have something called polyps and something else that looked like a coral reef and was like the building blocks of cancer. Not actually cancer, but something that if left alone would probably grow into it. So, instead of just cruising off into the retirement sunset, the chucklehead needed to have an operation and have part of his colon removed first so they could make sure it wasn't cancerous. I couldn't figure out why Jules wasn't mad at him! Talk about ruining someones retirement plans! 

Doc Velez is very special and understood the news wasn't what Norm & Jules (or anyone for that matter) wanted to hear. She spent a lot of time answering all of their questions and assuring them that the operation should be no problem. She also spent a lot of time explaining all of the various steps and what would be done while the operation was going on. Doc Velez is a talented and well respected surgeon, but she possesses an extremely kind and caring bedside manner. The surgery was done on January 18th.

So, while Norm was off snoozing in some operating room we were left to chill in a worry room. Sorry, waiting room.

At least we tried not to worry. Playing with Brock was a big help.

Teaming with Jules and whipping Joni & KC at Yahtzee was a bigger help!!

Five fives, ha! Yahtzee! Read 'em and weep girls....

Oh yeah, this is suppose to be serious. Well, here he is after Doc made sure he didn't have any more cooties in him.

I couldn't figure out why he didn't look any better. At least he didn't have his lips all blown up like balloons like the Hollywood people when they have surgery.

This was all of us shortly after he came back to the room, except Jules who was taking the picture.

Norm had a LOT of help too while he stayed at the hospital. Besides Doc, there were gas passers, RNs, LPNs, alphabet soup people, all sorts of people who's only goal was to make sure Norm was ok. What a spoiled brat! The chucklehead is getting all this attention and all he did was sleep!

These are some of the special folks that made sure everything went as well as it did.  



Me and Ashley

 



Linda and Me







Brock showing me on-line train videos



Not everyone was serious all the time. That would be no fun then. Besides, with no cancer it was truly a time for celebration and thanks!

We couldn't get past the guards with the beer though. We lost five cases before we gave up. I think someone tipped them off. Those nurses are a tough bunch!

I stayed the first night in Norm's room with him just to make sure he was going to be ok. The chairs convert into something that looks like a bed. It felt like some sort of a torture device from the dark ages but still felt better than sleeping in the closet or on the floor.

The following day we just sat around and waited until Norm decided to go against Doc's wishes and bail. I'm not sure how he did it but he convinced everyone that he was ok to go home.

I think the nurses were just as happy to see him go and didn't put up much of a fight.

We were told that Norm HAD to leave the hospital in a wheelchair so they sent Misty up to collect him. While we were heading out I told Misty I forgot something in Norm's room and asked if she would run back and get it for me. I think she was on to us because we barely got set up for the wheelchair races when she returned and grabbed both chairs and said no. She was nice about it though. But I still would have whipped Norm in a race, he just talks a big game.

That was it, he escaped into the night and spent the next few weeks at home recovering and driving Jules nuts.

I hope he heals up soon so we can start to enjoy his retirement. We already know that it will be a LOT longer now because of what we went through and for that we are eternally grateful to everyone, especially Doc Velez!

Travis