i had a long consult downstairs during midmorning. dr ryu was pretty firm about discharge thursday afternoon, after my "practice run" radiation that is planned for thursday morning (low radiation, calibrating their gadgets to the shape of my head, etc.). im excited by the prospect of discharge.
they removed the last of the stitches in my forearm. that was a rather painful and drawn out process – there were originally hundreds of stitches that have been removed in stages. andrew said it looked like a sharkbite scar. i could see that. the only stitches left, of the five surgical sites on my body, are a couple stitches that are helping to close my tracheal opening that was made for the oxygen tube.
the happiest news, for me, in the present moment, is that after recounting to dr ryu my tale of hol(e)y woe and the multiperforations from yesterday, he asked some questions about my eating situation and imperiously ordered the nursing staff to remove my iv. well. . . the externals were removed – but thats the worst part – ill still have a spigot in my arm for medicine delivery. but thats ok. im free of the trundly five-wheeled too-skinny demon!
at one point, talking about the radiation, dr ryu said something to the effect of, "its important for patients to have recovered their strength."
i said soneting like, "well ill work hard on getting stronger," having interpreted his statement as a kind of indirect advice or caution.
a strange expression crossed his face, more serious and reflective than before. "oh. . . youre strong enough. . . . strong enough." perhaps it was in part a reference to my notable strong-willed attitude, which has been sufficient to create some small conflict between us on a few occasions. i have very much come to like dr ryus subtle humor.