Patrick and I were listening to our audiobook (Abhorsen, last in the trilogy by Garth Nix - yummy. DARK AND CREEPY and probably not for sensitive children - but yummy) in his room tonight when I realized that we had forgotten to saline his sinuses before bed. When he was discharged on Wednesday the nurse explained that he was not allowed to blow his nose for at least five days, so the combination of post-surgical blood and gunk would turn to cement inside his head without judicious and frequent sluicing.
I paused our book and said, oh, hey, you need to use the neti pot again.
Patrick gave an experimental sniff, then another.
I asked, how does your nose feel?
Snuff, whurgle, blooh. Snuff, whurgle, blooh.
Patrick considered and then said, "Amazing."
I said, "Really?"
He said, "Really. I've never been able to get this much air in and out in my life. I feel great."
I said, "Well that's terrific."
He said, "So will you go downstairs and make me some chocolate chip cookies to celebrate?"
And I said no. No, I wouldn't. So he drank some water instead and we went back to listening to our book.
Thanks for all of your good wishes. They pleased Patrick enormously and when he was up at four in the morning vomiting more blood (GOOD. LORD) he gagged, spit, rinsed, slumped and said, "No wonder the entire world feels so sorry for me."
Or at least our little corner of it. More later and our best wishes to everyone on the East coast who spent the weekend wetter and more wind-blown than they would've liked to have been.
So glad Patrick (and Mom) are doing well. Checking in from McKinney, TX
Posted by: Janice | August 29, 2011 at 02:43 PM
A speedy recovery to you, Patrick, from beautiful Newburyport, Massachusetts (barely touched by the hurricane).
Posted by: Denise | August 29, 2011 at 02:47 PM
Hi from recent Canadian transplants to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. I was sorry to hear that sickness prevented you from exploring Alberta better on your recent road trip. We got rain, rain and more rain, but not the winds I was expecting. So nothing to complain about here.
Posted by: Barbara | August 29, 2011 at 03:08 PM
Chile likes to read about Patrick's gree breathing, too. Enjoy, and keep up your smartypants, pants-sewing, ultracreative older brother ways. When you start a blog, don't keep it secret, ok?
Posted by: eileen | August 29, 2011 at 03:28 PM
Glad your feeling better Patrick! Sorry to say I'm from your neck of the woods and not from somewhere more exotic.
Posted by: Julie in Sherburne County Minnesota | August 29, 2011 at 03:28 PM
The Netherlands also wants to send Patrick get-well wishes! Although I'm not sure how entitled I am to speak for them, what with being Welsh. So that'll be a "gobeithio y byddwch yn teimlo'n well yn fuan, a bod eich mam yn pobi cwcis i chi" on behalf of the land of my birth too.
(And yes, that's a real language!)
Posted by: carole | August 29, 2011 at 03:45 PM
From Dallas, Texas GO PATRICK!!
Posted by: Lisame | August 29, 2011 at 04:29 PM
What fantastic news! I'm glad that Patrick's internal aerodynamics are vastly improved.
Posted by: Sara | August 29, 2011 at 04:37 PM
Well wishes from New Orleans on the sixth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, where we are pleased that Hurricane Irene was mostly gentle with our East Coast friends.
Posted by: Eve | August 29, 2011 at 05:26 PM
West Chester and Bryn Mawr, PA, checking in to say congratulations to you Patrick on the clear breathing. Hurricane Irene was hyped, although flooding has been serious around our many streams and rivers. Personally, we lost nothing more than a couple pints of blackberry cabernet and key lime sorbets that we couldn't save (sob). Power out for 24 hours and don't have a backup generator.
Posted by: Jan | August 29, 2011 at 05:52 PM
Chicago says, "Go, Patrick, go!"
Posted by: Mary Anne Mohanraj | August 29, 2011 at 06:45 PM
I completely emphathize! I felt the same way when I could finally breathe through my nose after the septum fixing and turbinate trimming. I hope Patrick is feeling much better soon and if his experience is anything like mine, it will TOTALLY be worth it. Even the vomiting blood (ugh--I didn't for that surgery, but I have after another, and it sucks).
I'm in Vermont, so your good wishes are much appreciated--our corner doesn't need them but there are so many people who do, sadly.
Posted by: Laurel | August 29, 2011 at 07:57 PM
Congrats and hopes of feeling better to Patrick, from an American temporarily in Canberra, Australia. :)
Posted by: L | August 29, 2011 at 08:12 PM
Congratulations on breathing easier Patrick!
From the Mid Hudson Valley in New York. Formerly and permanently from the Mid Hudson Valley in New York.
Posted by: Laurie A | August 29, 2011 at 08:47 PM
Patrick - the saline may be unpleasant, but having your nose scraped must be much worse. Many years ago when I had the surgery I used a ton of saline (along with carefully placed qtips) because I was a bit afraid of having to get the dried up stuff scraped out. When I went in for my post op appointment the doctor said he'd never seen such a clean nose post surgery and I escaped the scrape. I was thrilled!
Expect pretty gnarly things to come out for weeks though.
Thinking about you guys in the little town of Metuchen, NJ
Posted by: Sarah | August 29, 2011 at 08:48 PM
Hooray for deep breathing! Maybe Patrick will give *me* the courage to finally finally finally get this done. Best wishes from Needham, MA.
Posted by: lizneust | August 29, 2011 at 09:47 PM
Just FYI, a Niel Med is a heck of a lot easier to use than a netti pot :-)
(It's kind of like a peri bottle... only for your nose. just bend over and squeeze it. No awkward tilting to just the right angle like the netti pot) ;-)
Posted by: Jen | August 29, 2011 at 10:21 PM
I'm so happy that Patrick is breathing better so quickly. Best wishes from Tracy, CA.
Posted by: Darlene | August 29, 2011 at 10:44 PM
Must make sure Oregon is represented in the Patrick Fan Club! So glad you are feeling much improved-- keep the quips coming :)
Posted by: shannon | August 30, 2011 at 01:32 AM
Yays and Hip-hip-hoorays for Patrick feeling better, from Santa Rosa, California!
Patrick, I never had surgery, but two years (YEARS) of allergy shots finally cleared up my never-ending sinus infections ... and lo and behold, I found out at last what food was for! LOL! You may find that all kinds of foods smell and taste a LOT better now! Happy noshing! :o)
Posted by: Hetty Fauxvert | August 30, 2011 at 01:51 AM
Get well soon, Patrick!
Much love, from India :)
Posted by: Tripta | August 30, 2011 at 07:45 AM
God bedring til Patrick fra Norge :)
Posted by: Hege Ossletten | August 30, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Checking in from Lansing, MI . . glad things are better for Patrick.
Chocolate chip cookies are always needed after a bout of surgery.
P.S. Julia, I just ordered the most gorgeous ring from Scrollworks . . I'm so excited.
Posted by: Stephanie | August 30, 2011 at 01:18 PM
Belatedly: Patrick, I am so glad the surgery went well and hope you continue to feel amazing. Clearing up a chronic problem can really change your life--you don't know how much energy it took up until it's gone. Keep on being your amazing self!
From the DC Metro Area
Posted by: SarahB | August 30, 2011 at 02:02 PM
I'm glad Patrick is feeling well from about 1000 miles north in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada!
Sounds like a little recovery map marking time is needed (what a neat response to a post). Feel better soon Patrick and enjoy all that extra easy to obtain oxygen!
Posted by: Dawn | August 30, 2011 at 04:52 PM
Oh Patrick - you need to follow the doctor's instructions, otherwise, you could have to go back and get additional treatment. That would totally ruin your day.
I'm another fan, and as an engineer, I love Patrick's creativity and brains.
Mark me down as a horrible allergy sufferer in Fabulous LAS VEGAS, Nevada!!!
(my allergies are worse here than the ever were in my home in Alabama!)
Posted by: suzi in Vegas | August 30, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Another Coloradoan wishing you breathing as freely as we do in our rarefied mountain air!
Posted by: Pam L | August 30, 2011 at 07:01 PM
Sympathy and cookies from San Francisco!
Posted by: kara | August 30, 2011 at 07:41 PM
We do. We all feel quite sorry for you Patrick! I bet this has been no fun at all.
Posted by: Kate | August 30, 2011 at 08:45 PM
Oh and that's coming from Indiana.
Posted by: Kate | August 30, 2011 at 08:46 PM
A speedy recovery to you from New York City!
Posted by: chris | August 30, 2011 at 09:36 PM
Oh, yes, I can relate to Patrick's experience. After my sinus surgery I could not believe how much air there was to inhale! Joyful!
I hope his recovery continues on.
Posted by: Kathleen | August 30, 2011 at 10:04 PM
Great news! I'm so pleased you're feeling better Patrick, and you've given me hope that surgery will improve my sinus issues!
From Nicky, South Africa
Posted by: Nicky | August 31, 2011 at 01:16 AM
Sending good wishes and virtual chocolate chip cookies from Spokane, Washington. I'm so glad Patrick is recovering. And he'll have such great disgusting stories to tell his new classmates!
Posted by: Lise | August 31, 2011 at 04:51 AM
Patrick - Hope your expectorations keep you morbidly amused as you recover quickly and completely! -- from somewhere in the Chicago suburbs
Posted by: llcsis | August 31, 2011 at 09:43 AM
Apropos of nothing in this post, I just re-read The End of the Beginning by Avi. A very-clever book that Patrick might enjoy sharing with the twinks. Also, if you enjoyed Bel Canto, Ann Patchett does it again with State of Wonder. And, if you enjoy State of Wonder and haven't yet read Bel Canto, I encourage you to give it a try.
Posted by: Katherine | August 31, 2011 at 02:43 PM
So glad to hear Patrick is feeling better!
Checking in from Tacoma, WA.
Posted by: amy | September 01, 2011 at 03:03 AM
Sending a virtual "pastel de nata" from Portugal! You are an inspiration for my own nose surgery next Monday!
Posted by: Elsa | September 01, 2011 at 04:59 AM
Well. Somebody from the Twin Cities had better check in! Sending you a great big huzzah from Minneapolis, Patrick!
I agree with all the others who suggest that a properly oxygenated Patrick brain is something we should all contemplate very seriously.
Posted by: Tine | September 01, 2011 at 12:18 PM
Something that Patrick may enjoy as he recovers:
http://www.npr.org/2011/09/01/140039760/fond-of-font-check-out-just-my-type?sc=fb&cc=fp
Lurking in Cortland, NY
Posted by: KD | September 01, 2011 at 01:46 PM
So glad to hear all well here in Seattle, WA.
Posted by: Justin | September 01, 2011 at 11:13 PM
Yay! Us Michiganders are glad to hear Patrick is feeling better. At our house, the 9 and 10-year old boys use the squeeze bottle version of the Neti pot that someone else mentioned. Happy breathing!
Posted by: DLG in Mich | September 02, 2011 at 02:14 AM
YES! I'm so glad Patrick is feeling and breathing better.
Posted by: winecat | September 02, 2011 at 05:51 PM
Well, after years of lurking, I officially de-lurk with a hearty Huzzah to Patrick from Oklahoma City, OK. (originally from the Twin Cities though - and desperately wanting to get back)
Posted by: Kerrie | September 02, 2011 at 11:05 PM
Just a suggestion for Patrick: He enjoyed sewing so much last year, how about loom knitting? There's a variety of sets; I'm stuck in bed or the couch recovering from abdominal surgery and picked up a set of round ones that I have made hats with. You can do more on the round ones but I bought flat ones to do that; I have one to make scarves, mittens, afghans, etc. and one for socks. I can't wait to do socks but want a little more experience. The thing is that once you get the hang (and if you get Knifty Knitters, the most available round ones here (and cheapest) the directions are terrible. There are great YouTube videos though and with the video I learned in 5 minutes and can make small hates in less than 2 hours, probably closer to an hour. It's fun, it's easy, and in MN he could probably even start a business. There are many stitches, like real knitting, so there's lots of challenge as well.
Just thought you might want to know.
Posted by: Just Me | September 02, 2011 at 11:56 PM
Please tell Patrick that Denmark (well the north of Denmark) is happy that he is feeling better
Posted by: Trine | September 05, 2011 at 07:33 AM
Hope Patrick continues to feel better! Sending good vibes from West Chester, PA.
Posted by: jen | September 05, 2011 at 12:40 PM
SO excited to hear that you're getting more air than you have in your entire life!! That is amazing and exactly the desired result.
Posted by: Affordable Medical Insurance | September 05, 2011 at 09:05 PM
Really, really glad he is feeling better. Man, did my heart go out to both of you when I read about the immediate aftermath of the surgery!
Now, I have to ask you how in the world did you manage to get a child to use a neti pot??! I've started using one this year and I swear I want to flip the #^@& out the first time I used it, forcing myself to just be calm and trust that I was not, in fact, going to drown myself by pouring water up and through my nose. I can't imagine getting a kid to do it. Do tell!!
Posted by: Rebekah | September 05, 2011 at 09:28 PM
I've just read through all your archives and I have a few follow-up questions:
1.Is Sassy the cat still around?
2.Is there a link or anything where you can direct me to a)Caroline and Edward's birth story and/or b)your archives from pre-hippogriffs? (I like a full story!)
3.Do you ever speak to Julian these days?
Hope Patrick's feeling better by now. He's had a rough couple of years, gunky-head-wise hasn't he? And thankyou for putting up a pic of your famously lovely brother recently! It was delightful x
Posted by: Lucy | September 06, 2011 at 05:27 AM