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  • SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2009 1:27 PM, CST
    Hello all-

    I am sitting on a couch with a lap desk and a laptop computer, watching the Colts make fools of themselves on TV.

    There is so much to say, running from the perfectly obvious and formal to the deeply personal and spiritual.

    I have been deeply touched by all that everyone has written. Without elaboration, your kindnesses to me and my family in words, deeds and prayers is completely alien to my understanding of myself. I have spent my share of time thinking about the paradox of my near complete physical incapacitation leading to a sense of greater closeness to the world around me.

    My expectations of this experience were wildly inaccurate. As an experienced laparoscopic surgeon, I related to the confidence of the surgeon, and had the experiences of my own patients to suggest to me I would be feeling ill for only a couple of days.

    Relating this surgery to a laparoscopic hysterectomy is like comparing a brief private plane flight to a shuttle launch. Both pilots will speak about how easy it is to fly their craft, and how relatively safe they are. Of course,  the differences between the two are staggering. I had only my experience as a flyer of 'small planes' to try and understand flying a space shuttle

    The impact of dialysis is also much worse than I expected.

    The dialysis effects are an unpleasant reminder of my father's experiences.

    There's a great line in a song by the Surfers- if you want to touch the sky, you must be prepared to die. That's true. I did not expect this experience to be as draining and terrible as it has been, but I would not change my choices. And I have found greater comfort among people than in my entire life.

    I'm grateful to you all for your kindness and support.

    Ted Tsaltas  

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