Maybe you can help me here. If the timeline on the show is accurate, then Carter is now about 5 weeks past the stabbing. If that is the case, have they reversed the colostomy already. If so, did that require another surgery, and if not, does that mean he is facing another one. When Benton spoke with him post op, he said they would do a take (tape?) down in approx. four weeks, but it hasn't been mentioned since with the exception of Be Patient when he mentioned it to Deb.

-- Tanya (ptkrogfo@silk.net), April 16, 2000

Answers

Carter has already had the take down operation, because the way the ER is set up, the three weeks between Be Patient and Under Control, acutually went by on the show. Because of this we can assume that Carter had the take down somwhere between Be Patient and Under Control, and as well Carter mentioned to Deb that he would get rid of the bag in a couple of weeks.. Also it has been more like 8 weeks after the stabbing for Carter. And would Carter even be allowed to work if he still had the colostemy bag? Anyone Else?

Amy

-- Amy (areinders@hotmail.com), April 16, 2000.

If I heard Cleo correct a few weeks ago, 5 months had passed since the diabetic kid first appeared in the ER (it was going to be 3 months until his Dad got insurance) so I would say Carter's well past his 2nd surgery and should probably be closer to being physically healed than he actually is - or at least thinks he should be further along which may be leading to his depression.

-- Linda (l.brown@mindspring.com), April 16, 2000.

I think there is some confusion here. The first time the diabetic kid came into the ER was in the Peace of Wild Things, which did originally air about 5 months ago. When it was shown 2 weeks ago, it was a rerun. So, 5 months have not elapsed since Carter's stabbing. (Notice in the Peace of Wild Things Carol is still pregnant? That is a big clue it is a rerun.)

-- Rachel (rachelrr@ivillage.com), April 16, 2000.

Are we talking T.V. Land Time? If not, I think you have too. Not our time, in between episodes. Am I correct?

-- Paula (pbranden@dwave.net), April 16, 2000.

I agree. The way the show works they keep up the time. I like it better that way since they are at the same time place that we are at. Like yesterday would have been the 2 month marker for Lucy's death: 2:56 am on Feb.15. I think shows are better that way!

-- Stephanie (Looney425@aol.com), April 16, 2000.

Yes, they do keep up with real time. Remember on Viable Options when it started snowing, Carol said "hello, its April" and that aired on April 6. So it has been two months since Lucy died.

-- amanda (amanda.rehm@home.com), April 16, 2000.

God, ya'll are good!

-- Linda (l.brown@mindspring.com), April 16, 2000.

So, we are talking 2 months since the attack? Am I correct? Which would say that Carter had his take down surgery, and that he shouldn't be limping or in pain. Right? Looking at that perspective, maybe the writers will be doing the pain killer addiction. Even though they are not verbally letting us be aware, but we are seeing it with our own eyes. Or are we just looking way to close to this whole thing? Not us do you think? ha ha ha ha

-- Paula (pbranden@dwave.net), April 16, 2000.

Paula, I think that Carter's limp is acceptable, and that he should have it. Remeber when Peter was performing surgery on Carter, and Carter wouldn't stop bleeding? They had to tie off a lumbard vessel, and Peter said it could paralyze him, that is probably why he has the limp. He also was stabbed in the back, and the ER docs thought that he maybe paralyzed. That may be why he has the limp.

Amy

-- Amy (areinders@hotmail.com), April 17, 2000.

in response to the question about whether Carter would be able to work with a colostomy bag...if he was otherwise healed, a colostomy bag would not interfere greatly with his ability to work...many people with bowel diseases have permanent colostomys and are able to live relatively active and normal lives...just my 2 cents

-- ivy rose (dani.shortnsweet@chickmail.com), April 17, 2000.