SHRIMP AND GRITS

Anne sent Stacy over with some flowers and McEwan and Sons grits from Alabama. It seemed natural to make shrimp and grits. Ours included bacon, scallions and tomatoes.

SUSHI

Lucy figured out how to make sushi at home. She used a placemat instead of the traditional bamboo rolling method to create these delicious cucumber rolls. She also fashioned chop sticks out of wooden skewers.

GRILLED CHICKEN

It was fun getting to boss Stacy around for once. He grilled us some lemon and sage chicken under my direction.

VEGETABLE CURRY

Mindy made vegetable curry with jasmine rice for dinner in Shelter Island. The new pancreatic enzymes seem to be working, I take one right before eating and one with a meal and so far it keeps me from having cramps.

HERBS & SUPPLEMENTS

Yesterday I picked up a bunch of supplements and an herbal formula that Paul prescribed. It's a ton of pills to take, most of them I have to take a few times a day. One of them (Butyrate) smells exactly like Parmesan cheese. Another one (Pancreatic Enzymes) is already helping me digest. The herbs taste gross but healthy, this one I sip throughout the day.

MORE CONGEE

I've been eating congee for every meal. It seems to be working because it's "pre-digested". This weekend I tried it with a soft-boiled egg and with chicken, cooked in turmeric water and pieces of dried seaweed.

CONGEE

Eating and digesting haven't been going so well. I think my system wasn't ready for some of the foods I've tried. On Friday I saw a Chinese Medicine practitioner who gave me a lot of great suggestions on things to eat to help heal my system and prepare me for the next round of chemotherapy which starts in three weeks. One of these was congee. He also did some acupuncture which was very relaxing.

DUMPING SYNDROME

My digestive system is adjusting to not having a stomach. One thing that happens is called Dumping Syndrome where food just skips through to my small intestine without much digesting first. It causes cramps. This is supposed to get better over time but certain foods are better than others. Yesterday I had avocado on toast from Blue Ribbon Bakery with olive oil, salt and pepper.

DAL

Ruby made mung bean dal, with jasmine rice, cilantro chutney and raita for Myrna, Goldie, Phil and I. Eating is going OK, but I need to learn to reduce my portion size to accommodate my new digestive system, I get hiccups after eating which are uncomfortable. The place where they cut me open is healing, stitches come out on Wednesday.

MATZOH BALL SOUP

I've been released from the hospital and am recuperating at Mindy's house. Last night, Sally (who is from Jamaica) made a delicious batch of Matzoh Ball soup. Myrna, Goldie, Mindy, Lucy and I enjoyed it while discussing Orthodontia.

HOSPITAL FOOD

Yesterday I ate "soft food". Carrots, tiny chicken pieces, mashed potatoes, a slice of bread and some apple sauce. Ruby and Ford were there while the doctors removed the tubes from my abdomen that had been collecting fluid. It hurt. After that I was released from the hospital.

CHICKEN BROTH

After you have your stomach taken out, you're on IV fluid for a while before you can try food. I started yesterday with some chicken broth. It was about a week since the surgery, the longest I've ever gone without eating. Next, I'll try some some soft food, and if that works, they'll release me from the hospital. I've gotten lots of flowers, cards and visitors which makes me feel very loved. Thank you.

AMERICA! BILL CALLAHAN

NATHAN'S HOT DOG EATING CONTEST

I'm recovering from surgery in the hospital. They took out my stomach (and spleen and part of my pancreas which I guess is no big deal) and I'm healing well. Tony, Kim, Maple and I watched Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest yesterday for July Fourth on ESPN.