hey everybody, i was able to get online for a few mins thanks to a wonderful nurse here at the hospital. thanks for all the well wishes. i tried to come into chat for a quick hello but i guess the hospital has those types of things blocked. i am still battling the edema hardcore, but other than that things are going ok. my abdomen feels like a huge pumpkin and my thighs feel like cinder blocks. big, heavy, cant move them or my joints. im am walking as much as possible, which is actually quite a bit. i just want this water out of me. doc thinks i will be going home tomorrow. that scares me a bit since i cant even bend to wipe myself, even with tongs or antyhing else. so we will see. mom has been the greatest ever! she thinks she is going to head back to colorado on thursday or friday, i think if i am still fighting this water, i will feel abandoned at that point, but we will see. my scars are not so bad. i have one about 3 inches or so that goes straight down from my belly button and a few other little ones on my belly that should just blend right in with all the stretch marks that are already there. lol. oh yea, my kidneys were shutting down the first few days after surgery, apparently the docs were REALLY scared, bp was down to 57/40, had bloody urine, etc but thats all ok now. i dont even have an iv anymore. just trying to push fluids and get rid of the edema. thanks again for all the well wishes, i will come chat as soon as i can! love and hugs for you all!!! ~snuggs