Sunday, April 15, 2007, 8:16 p.m., D.S.T., Nashville, Tennessee~

Dear Journal~

Bill here. I am still in the hospital as I write this, on the sixth floor, which is the orthopedic floor. I am in some pain, but not too bad. Actually, my back feels pretty good--only as long as I don't move wrong or do something like sneeze, cough, or laugh unexpectedly. Then I'm in agony! *OW*

I will be getting my IV taken out probably sometime tomorrow; it depends on what the doc says. Dr. Stryker says I am doing well: no signs of post op bleeding or leakage, no signs of infection. He is very pleased with how I am doing. (I am too, to tell you the truth.)

Louie is down on the floor below me, where she is getting me something to eat. I am sick of hospital food: I'm in the mood for some jungle food--aka chips, soda pop, pretzels, that sort of thing. :) (Hey, a guy has to have his substinance from time to time!) She will be back soon.

I talked to the kids tonight after they got back from church; they are all well, but they are missing me. Johnny and Ronee' are especially missing me. Well, I miss them; heck, I miss all the kids! I just hope they are behaving for my in-laws; if not, I will have something to say to them when I get back home from the hospital!

Got some get well cards from my brothers and from the family. They are hanging up on the wall, some  are hanging on my IV pole! LOL The nurses say I am a very popular guy, judging from all the cards I have gotten. Well, the majority of them just don't know that I have a big family! LOL (They don't know I am one of nine boys. Some do know I have a lot of kids, but most know little more than that.)

Since it is Sunday I got a break from therapy today, which was sort of nice. I got to lay around all day, and I slept a lot. I also watched the NASCAR Nextel race from Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas, and Jeff Burton just edged out Matt Kenseth for the title.

I was a little upset, but Kenseth really gave it his all. He led for the last several laps, but was passed by Burton on the last half of the last lap. It was really close, too close to call: only mere seconds separated the two drivers, which made for an exciting race.

While watching the race I could feel my heart palpitating and my blood pressure rising. I also started wheezing as I tried to go into an asthma attack, but I took a hit off my inhaler and put on the oxygen, which helped. The nurses asked me if I had trouble breathing, I told them "just a little; got a bit excited, but it's nothing to worry about."

Now the race is over, and both Kenseth and Burton are resting on their laurels, I am sure of that. I know the fans were treated to some first class thrills on the track, and I am sure the fans were on their feet at the last few laps. I am going to have to go to a NASCAR event one of these years; maybe next year. That'd be a dream come true for me.

Well, I am going to go now; Louie is knocking on the door; the nurse just let her in, and she is armed with snackies. YUM! I am going to eat; will write in here again, probably after I get out of the hospital. Take care, and God bless; talk to y'all soon!

~Bill. :D