Monday, March 24, 2014

Testing....testing....

After thirty years, what I've personally believed, is finally official.  *I* am the responsible adult in this marriage.  This is confirmed by several medical forms signed by both Michael and me, which will be laminated, kept in my wallet and available upon request. I used my new status to insist he did not want DNR on his records. I almost walked out at that point as I tried to figure out how "camera work" could turn into "do not resuscitate." 

I don't want to confuse anyone - so let me say - about 2 1/2 years ago Michael had a unexplained pain. They diagnosed Acid Reflux and gave him meds. The pain continued. A new pain flared up and led to emergency surgery on a gangrenous gall bladder. After the surgery, Michael kept mentioning this pain was still there! They immediately thought it was related to surgery - which seemed to make sense...except,  it was the original pain he went in for before the acid reflux or the gall bladder. They've thought it was various things and even did a second surgery to fix it - but they fixed something other than the cause of the pain.  (Which we've been assured would have needed fixed eventually.) They've thought it was a pulled tendon, hernia, adhesion (that started before the surgery?), troubles with the large intestine and small intestine, ulcer and whatever. Basically, they don't know. 

Recently, he was offered another surgery to take a look see. He declined.  

He had a CT scan about a week ago. It came back showing thickening in the colon walls. They told him they'd do some more tests in May. They called Friday and  decided they wanted to do the tests today. We are now the proud owners of beautiful, 3-d, COLOR photos  no one in their right mind is going to want to look at.  The doc did some biopsies and we'll know more in a couple of weeks.  I would know more at this point,  except I tuned out the doctor when Michael sat up and began to converse with him about various parts of the intestine and such. I had no clue what they were talking about and didn't sense a need to know as Michael obviously understood what the doc was saying.  NOW, I discover Michael doesn't remember this conversation and maybe I shouldn't have tuned out. ::grin:: 

Thus goes my first day as the responsible adult in this marriage. ::snort::  I messed up the informational part of it - but by George - I got a photo!!!

In all seriousness, we're fine. God is on the throne. We're walking this out with peace. Michael's pain is increasing, he's not sleeping well,  and they can't seem to fit any symptoms/diagnosis with the pain. We'd appreciate prayers for either 1. healing manifested by a lack of pain or 2. a cause which can then be treated or at least known.

Michael insists a day is coming when he'll sign a form as the responsible adult and he promises to have that framed. I've avoided this by simply not going to the doctor since I turned 50. Thank you very much.  

If "someone" gripes about this photo, I can scan the other photos and include them instead. 

Choosing Joy!
©2014 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...