12/22 Tuesday update

[Gay Haldeman]

The IV antibiotics have Joe feeling much better.  The clear liquid  
diet doesn't help, though. ( "Can I have a hamburger," says Joe.) The  
CT scan shows an abscess between his stomach and his pancreas, as  
well as other pockets of fluid in his abdomen.  The surgeons are  
exploring options, perhaps another drain as well as moving the drain  
he already has.  The surgeon also thinks he may need to go in and  
remove more of the pancreas, ugh.  Nothing definite yet.  By evening  
the doctor had agreed to put him back on solid food.  How does a guy  
who's supposed to put on weight do that on a clear liquid diet?   
Sigh.  Joe's spirits are good; mine are a bit frayed but holding.

Love, Gay