Wednesday, January 07, 2015

Surgery Update

We left bright and early this morning for the Sutter Surgical Hospital in Yuba City.  I am really impressed with this place.  We had been told Michael's surgery would take 45 - 90 minutes. He would be out by 1000 and we'd  be home by 1200....unless.

Our prayer has been they'd figure out what is causing pain and fix it......

This center has many more options for pain management than we had available in Japan. We figured this out when they put a red band on Michael's wrist to alert all which narcotics he reacts to. They asked him what he was given in place of them and he said "Vitamin M" - Ibuprofen.  Evidently that was the wrong answer. Praise God.

Surgery lasted until 11:45. They had told me if they were able to do it all laparoscopically  it would be quick. The choices of what might happen went all the way to bad.

When we hit the 2.5 hour mark I knew they had found something.  The surgeon told me part of Michael's small intestine had adhered to his stomach - they detached it. When they did that they could see his appendix. It was "abnormal," inflamed, scarred and IT had attached itself to his stomach at the spot where Michael has been complaining of pain. It didn't show up on scans or blood work.  They removed it and we are praying and hopeful  this is the end of the pain.  They had to make a 3 1/2 inch incision next to his other zippers....but hey....it was the middle option. I'm happy.

The surgeon said the appendix "could" be the source of his pain. It may not be. We'll wait and see.....and pray.  We'll talk to the surgeon more tomorrow. I may have details a bit skewed.

They took the time to "get their hands" on lots of intestines and did not feel any tumors. YES.

They admitted him. They gave him a spinal  with morphine in it and  he is numb.....and very, very sleepy.  He's in great hands at the center. He's having a very hard time waking up and staying awake. Sleep really is best for him and they ARE monitoring to be sure his heart is staying where it should be.

I came home to spend bedtime with the kids.  I'll go back in the a.m. Praying he makes it through the night with no adverse reactions to pain meds.

Blessings today:
Father Frank and Ed  stopped by the house with chicken adobo, pork chops,  meatballs, a salad and potatoes. They stopped by and visited and prayed with us at the Surgical Hospital - and they called and said they'd bring pizza and quinoa salad tomorrow.  I told them we'd have to do this more often if we got to eat like this. ::snort::

Michael nurse, Todd, brought me pillows and blankets from the WARMER! WOW.  They are very attentive and I'm at peace being home with the kids.

I spent a quiet day reading, texting and watching this man. Praying this is the final answer.

Choosing Joy!
©2015 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...