Clarity, clarity

While talking to my cousin, Dr. MaryJo, gasped when I said Mary was driving this week. Dr. MaryJo lives in St Paul so she hasn't seen Mary and reads this blog or we talk by phone now and then. I asked why she gasped and the good doctor said, "She is on heavy use of Vicodin for pain and she is driving?" Ah, lack of clarity!

Mary was on Vicodin for pain after ERCP#3 (performed as an outpatient at Stanford) and until she was admitted later that same week--a total of 60 hours. Once in the hospital, they switched to phentanyl. The gall bladder was removed on Saturday, April 18. After that surgery, the strongest pain killer Mary has needed is Tylanol--very infrequently.

Mary had a regular visit with our opthamalogist today--standard stuff for someone with glaucoma and nascent cataracts. Mary explained what was going on and our eye doc revealed that he is on the teaching staff at Stanford. His comment to Mary was, "I want a regular appointment with you in four months and you will be here, Stanford medicine is going to take care of you!" Love that vote of confidence. And her eyes are in great shape--glaucoma is under control because of drops she takes every bedtime.

The last item for today is Swine Flu. Unfortunately, Santa Clara county aka Silicon Valley aka south bay aka where we live is suffering from a high frequency of suspected cases. One of our schools has closed because a student came down with Swine flu in the past few days. The county is considering cancelling all large gatherings of any kind. Perhaps it was a good think the Sharks blew the Stanley Cup playoffs or they'd be performing in front of an empty arena. Well, if the next flu us called the "Canadian Flu", then Minnesota would be in deep trouble.