Tuesday evening

May 4, 2010

This page will be updated regularly

Jack has been saying he doesn't have much energy lately. On Sunday, he appeared especially feeble and walked less than usual in Point Reyes.

Monday morning, he called to say he had passed a lot of blood in his stool and could not get up and walk more than a few steps.

He was admitted into John Muir Medical Center in Walnut Creek around noon on Monday. Within a few minutes of being driven to Emergency, he had IV's in both arms and a blood sample was taken. It showed he had dangerously low (40% of normal) red blood cells, so enough oxygen was not getting into his cells. He had two units of blood transfusion and felt better. His color returned to normal. There has been no apparent bleeding after Monday. He was moved from emergency up to room 605 in the hospital. The staff was very nice, respecful and amazed at his physical condition at his age. When told he does not take any medication, a nurse exclaimed, "no wonder he's so healthy!"

Tuesday morning he was sedated for half an hour and his stomach examined with a camera. Nothing abnormal was found. He is only having clear liquids on Tuesday as he is being prepared for a colonoscopy Wednesday morning, to try to discover the source of the bleeding. He's had another unit of blood and some iron added to his blood. He looks good. When asked how he's feeling, he shrugs, smiles and says, "I'm fine!" He definitely looks and feels better than when he arrived.

We're checking the messages at the gallery and we're notifying by telephone as many of his artists and friends as possible. Ty and Sibylle

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Update 2 PM Wednesday after Ty and Hartman visit with Jack, conversations with heart specialist and GI doctor:

Jack has two issues. His aortic valve has calcium deposits and is sticking, making his heart work extra hard to pump blood through his system. The doctor was amazed that he could even walk, let alone hike as he did last Sunday. He needs a valve replacement. In addition he has cancer in his colon, which has stopped bleeding. This afternoon or tomorrow morning he will undergo a CT scan to see how far the cancer has spread. The next steps will be decided after the scan.

Dr. Jones, the GI specialist, said they all recognize what a special guy Jack is. "We're in awe ... He's in better shape than most 70-year olds we see here, perhaps even 60-year olds", he said. "He's not a textbook case, I explained to the other specialists. We're all honored to work with him." Dr. Jones said that if the cancer is localized, he will have the heart specialist take another look at Jack's heart, but feels as sturdy as Jack is, he could well tolerate the colon operation. They want to take care of the cancer first to stop it from spreading. Then they will discuss replacing the heart valve.

Jack was out of it this morning having just come back from colonoscopy, but walked to the bathroom on his own. We feel optimistic that our very special Jack will survive these ordeals, he is one tough nut! We'll post more updates when more information is available. We plan to visit him again later today.
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Update 10:30 PM Wednesday

Just got back after visiting Jack for about half an hour. He was thrilled with all the messages and good wishes from artists and friends. He was all smiles and laughing at some of the comments so much I was afraid the IV's would come undone. His skin color is normal, after 4 units of blood and 2 of iron. It looks like Thursday morning he'll go into the CT scan tube. In response to some comments about visiting him at the hospital, he said, "no, I like visits at the gallery but not here, no..." He's enjoying the forced relaxation. Tomorrow is a critical day, but he is definitely positive in outlook and looks so much better than Monday.
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Update 3 PM Thursday

Went to see Jack after checking mail and messages at the gallery. At 1 PM Jack was undergoing CT scan. He was brought to his room at 2 PM. They didn't know when the results would be in. So we're now waiting for the oncologist to discuss the results with us. Jack was in good spirits, very alert, dictated some notes, asked for additional calls be made, such as to his landlord, and shruggingly "drank" some of his lunch: chicken broth (OK - the rest not OK), jello, cup of sorbet ice cream and a raspberry sherbet bar, all full of artificial color and flavoring, and a cup of iced fruit punch, probably artificial, too. He only had the soup and the jello. On the way back, made a mental note to talk to the dietician tomorrow and ask for a special diet for him. Wonder if they would allow bringing in some green tea? He's getting another unit of blood today and his hemoglobin (red blood cell) count is up to 8 g/dL from 5 when he came in (normal for a male is 14-18 g/dL). He has no problem getting up and going to the bathroom. More tomorrow when he will receive more of your messages...

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Update 5 PM Friday ----- GOOD NEWS!
It was confirmed today that Jack's colon cancer is operable and there is no evidence of cancer spreading anywhere else. That means an operation soon and we're waiting for the surgeon to discuss it with us. The fact that this hasn't happened yet means they are discussing with the heart specialist which operation to do first and how to proceed. Jack was fine today and cancelled two upcoming appointments with his dentist and chiropractor. He is mildly complaining about the liquid food and the noise coming from his other three roommates' sections, visitors, so on. He has ear plugs and a portable CD player but likes to sleep a lot and decided not to listen to music. He still prefers not to have any visitors. The nurse said it was OK to bring him our own liquid food and she will include green tea from now on. So it now seems almost certain we'll have Jack back at the gallery soon!

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Update 9 PM Friday May 7
Jack said the surgery is tentatively scheduled for Monday and he needs to stay in the hospital for three days after the operation. That means he may be home next Thursday and the gallery may be open by Saturday... We will see...I will see him around noon tomorrow, Saturday...

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Update 3 PM Saturday May 8
Jack's surgery is now scheduled for 3 PM on Monday. He wanted some fresh air, so the physical therapist assisted him to walk all the way down the corridor, down in the elevator, along another long hallway to the next tower, and up to 4th floor in another elevator, and finally out to the patio. He really enjoyed the sun shine and the fresh air. The staff could not be more helpful and nicer. He has some books now and some CD's but mostly sleeps and rests. They're giving him some canned drinks loaded with proteins, minerals and vitamins. Walking back to his bed, he was more sure footed. The difference between Monday and Saturday is like night and day. You could almost argue this was a rest - albeit forced - that he really needed (thought: We should perhaps all work on him to cut down his work days somehow when he's back and take some time off). He was thrilled to receive all the messages from artists and friends. By about 5 PM Monday we will know how the surgery went...

Update 11 PM Monday May 10, just back from visiting Jack

Good news: the operation went well, no complications, less blood loss than expected, and from now on, it's recovery... Still, why do people coming out of an operation look like they've just been beaten up by a gang of thugs? It was a little unnerving to see Jack in intensive care, hooked up with tubes everywhere. His vital signs are normal, in fact, his blood pressure is a little on the high side. When he was admitted on Monday, it was extremely low and he was having fainting spells. He feels no pain, "just a little sensitive", he said. He's thirsty, sipping water. It was a three hour operation starting late at 4 PM and he wasn't set up in ICU until 9 PM. We talked and sat together for about an hour. He remembered that he was a law student in Leiden, Holland this day in 1939 when the Germans attacked suddenly without provocation, starting their offensive in the West. "It was just terrible", said Jack. When asked how he's feeling now, he whispered, "thankful". Tomorrow he will be moved to a room for recovery. He cherishes all the notes he has received. When he has a room number, it will be posted here so you can send a card if you wish.

Update 7 PM Tuesday May 11 - What a difference a day makes!

At 3 PM, Jack was alert, unhooked from all the lines and ready to be moved from intensive care to recovery. They officially don't allow visitors at ICU 3-4 PM because of shift change, but they didn't seem to mind. Apparently he did have some pain last night and took some pain killing medicine. His recovery room wasn't ready, so it was 5 PM before he was wheeled into his new room and carefully pulled on a sheet onto his new bed. He's now in a single room, all quiet, with a "filtered" view of Concord hills. You can tell he's on the way to recovery when you look at him. About visitors, he says, "No, please - it takes too much energy". If you want to send him a card, his address is: Jack Van Hiele, Walnut Creek Campus - Room 585, John Muir Medical Center, 1601 Ygnacio Valley Road, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.

Update 1 PM Thursday May 13 - Steady progress

Yesterday Jack was taken for two slow walks down the hallway. Looks better, declines pain medicine, prefers Tylenol. Still liquid food, soup & jello (and they bring him a cup of coffee at night with dinner - what are they thinking?). Blood pressure and vitals normal. More after this afternoon's visit...

Update 6:30 PM Thursday May 13 - "Getting sick may be good for business"

Jack was not a happy camper this afternoon. He looked good, clean shaven and hair combed, but grouchy. The words "pissed off" come to mind, if you can imagine Jack like that. He complained about too many doctors and too many drugs. He felt sick to his stomach and had a milk moustache from "some white medicine". It turned out to be Milk of Magnesia, and the nurse explained the doctor wants his intestines working as soon as possible, and offered him more medicine to soothe his stomach, which he turned down. I tried to calm him down and after a while he said he felt better. Twice he had been taken on walks along the hallways today again. The best part was reading the fifteen or so additional messages that came through the web site the last couple of days, printed out on individual half-sheets of paper, and several get well cards from the gallery. He studied each message carefully, some from clients he hadn't heard of in ages. "Getting sick may be good for business", he said. Several people had left messages for him with the doorman at the gallery and he liked those as well. Looking forward to a more positive Jack tomorrow... Still no word about how long this will all take. He is thinking about prolonging the currect show by two weeks. More tomorrow...

Update 3 PM Friday May 14 - "He is doing just fine - has he gone to the bathroom yet?"

It all seems much better today. Jack was asleep at 2 PM. When he woke up, he seemed better than yesterday. A long chat with the nurse about gastrointestinal functions and how the intestines work and finally around 3 PM Dr. McGuinness, the surgeon who did the operation, came to check up on Jack. Very impressed and reassured after the chat with the surgeon and his examination of Jack. He came across as a real pro and a caring, nice person, too. Explained they took out a small section of Jack's intestine, stitched it up and consider the matter resolved. The cancer had not penetrated through the intestine, so the timing was perfect. They found no other nodules and classify it as a No. 2 cancer out of 5 stages, requiring no chemo or further intervention. "He is doing just fine", he said. Wasn't concerned about Jack's not eating yet. His intestines need time to heal and finally to start working again. Now the most important thing: we are all waiting for Jack to go to the bathroom.... So, hurry up and go, Jack!

Update 6 PM Saturday May 15 - "Hooray! The train is moving again..."

At 3 PM Jack was "exhausted", he said, but looked even better. The catheder had been removed, so he's expected to eliminate his waste again independently. In fact, the mechanism apparently functioned last night. He's still on the horrible liquid diet (broth, jello, canned vitamins, apple juice...). Only the doctor can authorize diet change, so we left him a note saying, "...thanks, etc., can you please give him breakfast at least: oatmeal with a little honey and a banana?" We'll see what happens. He was complaining about too many doctor and nurse interruptions - the board says they should check on him every two hours, but that doesn't leave much time for uninterrupted sleep... Sibylle and I plan to hike around Mt. Diablo tomorrow so we can stop by to see him on the way back.

Update Sunday 9:30 PM - "They are kicking him out of the hospital tomorrow!"

Prepare yourself for the day you'll walk into Triangle Gallery to see Jack sitting there as usual - a bit thinner and wiser, for sure, welcoming you with his usual smile. His first words around five o'clock were, "I feel much better!" Surprise: no IV's, no tubes, even the entire gadgetry is no longer in the room. More surprises: today he walked all the way to the elevator, watched over by the physical therapist, and out to the deck on the fourth floor for a fifteen minute sun therapy session. His answer to the question, "Have you been eating?": "A lot!" He had a salmon/rice/salad dinner last night and breakfast and lunch today. And he's been making regular trips to the bathroom. So, everything is working - he just needs to build up strength after lying in bed for two weeks. He didn't like the tuna sandwich for dinner around 6 tonight, so we scraped up the tuna from the bread and he gobbled it up. His doctor this morning marked him for transfer to an assisted living facility tomorrow (Monday), where he will be fattened up and exercised back into being able to leave on his own. They don't know where yet - that will be decided after the examination tomorrow morning and will depend on where space is available. So we keep our fingers crossed. How long he stays there will depend on his progress - anywhere from a few days to a week or more. His sudden turn towards good health surprised apparently even some in the hospital - a nurse in the hallway said, "Jack was walking today!" But let's first see how his transfer tomorrow goes...

Update 7:30 PM Monday May 17 - "Wait - we have a setback."

Checking in Monday afternoon, we were told the planned transfer had not taken place. Instead, Jack was down at second floor, in room 262, MCU - Monitored Care Unit. Jack actually answered the phone and explained, "I don't feel so good - something happened." The nurse explained that all of a sudden his oxygen level dropped so they decided to monitor his vitals while running some tests. She thought by Wednesday he could be ready to move again. Since we are in Los Angeles today and tomorrow for Alan's graduation, I asked if Hartman could come by on Tuesday. Jack replied, "No, I don't have the energy." I will check up on him tomorrow by phone and go directly to John Muir from the airport late Wednesday afternoon. Let's all hope he's better tomorrow...

Update 10 AM Tuesday May 18 - "Back out of the woods.."

At our request, Dr. Somkin, Jack's usual doctor, the one he hasn't seen for a few years, called John Muir this morning and called back. He says what Jack had was "congestive heart failure" related to fluid collection in his chest, it wasn't very serious and that he's doing well enough to be considered for release tomorrow. I called Jack's room and he answered the phone at the first ring! He said he felt better and had had some food. When I told him we all cheered him on to get better, he said "I am doing my best." I didn't tell him that Dr. Somkin wants to see him when he's back and had some things to say about his heart condition, which John Muir wants to manage by medication. We'll cross that bridge when... Let's see what happems tomorrow.

Update 10 PM Wednesday May 19 - "Jack looks normal, except..."

Just back from visiting Jack. Amazing progres. He's back in recovery with no IV's or misc. attachments. He looks pretty much himself except his voice is a hoarse whisper and he gets tired quickly after his walks, now several times a day. He's eating everything in sight, and complaining about the quantity and the quality. He is still in line for transfer to an assisted living facility for anywhere between a few days to a week or more. The way he looks, I think it'll be a few days. He asked again to write "please, no visitors", because he doesn't have a voice and wants to save his energy to get better. I plan to bring him his usual rolled oat breakfast with honey and a banana tomorrow morning and talk to his doctor about where they propose to have him transferred.

Update 10 PM Thursday May 20 - "Jack is in rehab."

From about 8:30 AM until about 7 PM it was a Jack day today.It was a stressful day being discharged by the hospital and admitted into an assisted living facility (nursing home) for a stay of about a week. We had a calm ten minutes along the Alameda shoreline chewing on apples before checking him in, watching those crazy wind sail guys floating on choppy waves. For those who may want to send him a card, his address until probably the end of next week: Jack Van Hiele, Room 120, Crown Bay, 508 Westline Drive, Alameda, CA 94501. With his normal clothes on during transfer, Jack looked quite weak and showed how much weight he had lost. He still has no voice - the nurse explained it's from the irritaion caused by the tubes inserted during the operation down his esophagus. Next step is lots of food, physical therapy and an appointment with his surgeon the end of next week to mark his progress. At least he is no longer connected to tubes and moves on his own, albeit very slowly.The Shoreline Park is across the street, and the physical therapist will take him for walks there. He is ten minutes from us, so we intend to supplement his hospital tray food (you should see the wrinkled face he makes when he tastes the artificial orange juice) with the things we know he likes: oatmeal, shredded carrot salad, steamed kale, baked salmon. And of course, lots of organic apples...

Update 9 PM Friday May 21 - "Slowly but surely..."

...Jack is coming back. After a day in rehab, and good eats, Jack looked much, much better at dinner today. Still, he feels too weak to walk any distance and has to whisper. Looked at the mail from the gallery and chuckled at Bruce Kortebein's handmade get-well card. He said the present show may need to be extended by three weeks. Next immediate step is a meeting next Tuesday afternoon with the staff at the rehab center about his progress, and back to John Muir to see his surgeon on Friday. He is definitely coming back, his color, face is normal but thinner. Again, he lucked out: the nurse, the doctor and the staff could not be nicer. His new doctor, Dr. Khaira, could be another doctor Oz on TV- good looking, articulate and loves to explain medicine in layman's terms. Jack ate part of his hospital food plus carrot salad, whole grain pasta, steamed kale and yoghurt, plus some cashew butter. Came back home thinking, OK, Jack is definitely on the mend, but this could take another two weeks before he is back at the gallery...

Update 7 Pm May 22 - "A picture is worth..."

Here is Jack on an excursion to our yard Saturday afternoon. He started really walking today - probably over half an hour combined, five minutes at a time. Can't wait to see the surgeon's face when he walks casually into his office next Friday, looking healthyand fit.

Update May 24 - "Progress continues..."

I wasn't able to visit Jack on Sunday, but Robert Hartman generously offered to drive down from Oakland Hills to sit with him for a while. They both said they enjoyed the visit, although Jack could only whisper. (He still asks for no additional visitors, please). This afternoon he was lying in bed staring at the ceiling in exhaustion. The physical therapist had just put him through the works, including weights on his legs. When Jack told him he had been a vegetarian for over fifty years, the therapist offered he had also tried to be a vegetarian once - for about eight hours. Then we walked together in the courtyard for half an hour, including some periods of sitting in plastic chairs and watching the ducks amble by looking for food. The "nutritionist" came by to check, and we gave him Jack's rolled oats and food freferences, which she said they would follow... More tomorrow...

By the way, Bernadette Frank offered to help this morning at Triangle. The carpeting at 45 Kearny was going to be removed, and they didn't want to move the art on display, for obvious reasons. Thanks so much Bernadette, on behalf of the entire "Triangle Family".

Update May 25 - "More progress and a conference."

Today found Jack walking intently and cautiously along the hallways dodging wheelchairs. He even showed me which way to go. His voice is still a hoarse whisper. Sitting in chairs in the entry hall, I handed him the printouts of the e-mails (about 10) from the last few days and he read them carefully. The conference with the staff at the rehab center went very well. Jack got a lot of respect (like WOW!) for his continuous work full time and physical condition at his age. They went over his diagnosis and the medicines he is taking (which he dislikes) and then the physical therapist took over. No doubt about his progress, but he isn't sure about the planned exit date of this Friday, which we had set tentatively. After a few more days of exercises, including stationery bicycling, he wants to evaluate Jack again on Friday. He wants to go through the motions of independent living with him, including showering, dressing and undressing. Tomorrow we have an examination scheduled with his doctor who can cut down some of his medication, we hope.

Then sitting together again we made tentative future plans:

Saturday, June 5 - Jack is transferred to his studio apartment in San Francisco.
Sunday, June 6 - Jack and I drive to Point Reyes, for a very small and slow hike, mostly resting on grass and in fresh air.
Monday, June 7 to June 13 - Jack gets used used to living at his home, with occasional trips to the gallery.
Monday, June 14 - Roger Berry sculpture show installed
Saturday, June 19 - Reception, Roger Berry Show
Tuesday, June 15 - Saturday, July 24 - Roger Berry Show
Monday, July 26 - "49th Anniversary Show" installed
Saturday, July 31 - Reception, "49th Anniversary Show"
through September 11 - "49th Anniversary Show"

The following is entirely my idea: at least one artist has offered to "gallery sit". Who out there would be willing to spend a quiet day (or two) at the gallery the last 2 weeks of the present show? If a handful of people volunteered to spend a day or two, including me, we could keep the gallery open for two weeks until Jack returns full time. The dates would be from Tuesday May 31 through Saturday, June 12. If you are willing and available, e-mail me by clicking below. Write me which date(s) you would like to sit at the gallery. I won't mention this to Jack until enough people are available to make it possible. I take the first day, Tuesday, June 1. Thanks! Ty

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Update 10 AM Thursday, May 27- "Jack bicycling again after more than half a century."

Yesterday's visit found Jack exhausted again after physical therapy, including half-an-hour of pedaling on a stationary bike (with short rest periods), which brought back memories of his youth in Holland where people grow up on bikes. Jack apparently made an extended bicycle excursion in Sweden while he was operating his antique store/art gallery in Stockholm after WWII. The therapist also had taken him accross the street into the park for a walk. We had a short meeting with the doctor, who said his voice needs speech theraphy to gain strength in his vocals. Jack still repeats, "Please, no visitors, I don't have a voice." Then another half-an-hour walk slowly in circles in the courtyard. His diet is improving and the dietician told Jack she would go to Trader Joe's to get him some apples. How does this soft-spoken, unassuming, meek man stir up such feelings of respect and admiration in people he has only just met? Over a hundred well-wishing messages have come into the web site over the past few weeks and already eight people have offered to gallery sit. I will take to him a proposed schedule today and get his response. The schedule will be posted here and you will be able to see open dates when you may still be able to help. I apologize for not answering individually the many e-mails thanking me for keeping up this update. It's the least I can do.

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Update 10 PM Thursday, May 27 - "Jack approves gallery opening."

More improvements at the rehab center: they offered me a "guest lunch", so we had tray lunches together: cucumber salad, mixed veggies, tuna salad sandwiches, and a soup. And the two apples specially bought for him from TJ's by the dietician. Hey - how can we complain? He had over an hour of PT and it showed in the way he walked the courtyard - more like a real walk. He's really moving along now. Tomorrow we have an 11 am appointment with his surgeon in Walnut Creek.

Jack really enjoyed the cards and notes he received at the gallery and at the rehab center. Once again, his address through next week: Jack Van Hiele, Room 120-A, Crown Bay Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, 508 Westline Drive, Alameda, CA 94501. Starting June 1, please send mail to Triangle Gallery.

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Update 8 PM Friday, May 28 - "No more pills."

Another "milestone" day. At 11 AM, Jack's surgeon in Walnut Creek was more than pleased with his progress. He took Jack off all medication and said no further appointments are necessary. When Jack admitted he felt a little weak, Dr. McGuinness said he should expect some improvement in his appetite and strength every week, and that it should take about eight more weeks to get back to "normal". He said that although he's not a cardiologist and we should see one in a few months as recommended, he doesn't think Jack's heart murmur presented a serious issue requiring blood thinners. Actually, Jack is getting visibly better each day. He had another half an hour of bike riding after lunch. Late afternoon, we took a short stroll in the park and he walked briskly along the windy Alameda coastline. We'll do a longer version tomorrow and I'll bring the camera this time so you can see what he looks like.

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Update Sunday 11 AM, May 30 - "Escaping the routine..."

Jack got signed out for about six hours yesterday. Walking along the shoreline again (oops - forgot camera) and sitting in the yard, having his favorite dinner - more of the same later today. Tuesday he has a voice therapy session - that seems the only lingering problem now.

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Update Sunday, May 30 - "Just another day in the park..."

Here is Jack around 4:30 PM Sunday. Watch out art world - a new and improved version of the longest-running contemporary art gallery in San Francisco is coming soon. It looks now pretty certain that later this week Jack will be back in the gallery. He wants to attend the opening in San Jose on Friday! He may not be able to work full time for a couple of weeks, so our gallery sitting schedule will work out fine. He will need rides home after gallery closes at 5 PM, so drivers are welcome and needed.

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Update Memorial Day, May 31 - "What can I say - except another day of progress."

Jack was walking in the sunny courtyard today when I arrived to check him out. Sitting in the yard he reviewed his e-mail messages and the announcement for the Berry show. Pacing around with his hands clapped on his back, European-style, he waited for his dinner. Another health dinner topped off by a creative desert a la Sibylle: frozen bananas running through a food processor that makes them come out like spaghetti, topped with crumbled Swiss chocolate. Not exactly what he would get at the rehab center. He liked it very much. Then back to the center around 9:30 PM. He looks and feels so normal now I am struggling to come up with things to write about...

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Update 11:30 AM June 2 - The Gallery is open for business!

Yesterday, trying to stand in for Jack at the gallery (mostly sitting), 11 am to 5 pm, went by quite fast. A few visitors, a few friends, a few old clients, a few calls - and Bernadette coming by at the end with the Berry show announcements. There was even a short period of party athmosphere, with Robert Hartman, Francis (Barbara Spring's daughter) and the optometrist/client/friend Marc Lester discussing Jack, art, photography, etc. Just the normal gallery day Jack would have enjoyed. Around six thirty Jack was again in the courtyard where he heard the messages and the reports. He showed his speech theraphy exercises which involve loud yelling. Loud yelling? Jack? That's a picture for you.

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Update 10 PM, June 2 - "Another Day at the Gallery"

It was Richard's day today, and he looked the part. Sibylle and I went downstairs to meet Dr. Lester, who generously had agreed to help put the artwork back during his lunch hour. We had fun, actually, and after about an hour, all agreed it looked pretty good. We noticed what a crowd stopper Renee's sculptures were next to the windows - people just gawked, laughed and were amused, kids pulling their parents over. A tall young man came in, snapped pictures of some paintings, and looked especially interested in Hartman photographs. After a brief conversation about photography in Europe vs. the US, he went upstairs with his female companion and wanted to purchase the Hartman catalog. Richard explained more about how Hartman takes pictures while the plane is pitched sideways during a turn. He's from Germany and looking for artwork for his clients - his firm designs yachts. Another couple called upstairs because they wanted information about the large Hartman and Bresnahan paintings. When I stopped by Jack's around 6 PM to report for the day, he was sitting in his chair next to the bed and staring into his dinner tray - plates, cup, small containers, etc. - all empty and so clean I couldn't see a crumb - not a speck of food left, like "where did it all go?" "You didn't leave me anything!" I protested. He flushed and said shyly, "I didn't know when you were coming..." Oh, well...

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Update June 3 - JACK IS GOING HOME TOMORROW! (Final entry)
Carleen reported a rather quiet day, but one prospective client was interested in Sondag and Chen work and inquired about prices. Dropped by to see Jack twice today and set up tomorrow's release details. Jack looked busy in the courtyard with his speech therapist, who advised him to continue and confirmed speech problems are common after "tubing" during surgery. Tomorrow's schedule: 11 AM Jack checks out and we do some food shopping at a health food store and TJ's before we drive to his studio apartment in San Francisco, where this saga started exactly one month ago. Early afternoon should find us arriving at the gallery, where Stephanie will be happy to see us. She will drive Jack to the opening in San Jose. This will be the final entry. Thanks for reading...

Gallery sittingschedule:

TRIANGLE GALLERY, 11 AM - 5 PM

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