Surgery

I recently underwent emergency surgery (April 8, 2009) due to an intestinal blockage which resulted in a bowel resection after removal of 5 feet of my small intestines. This is no small or easy thing. I always thought I was pretty tough but let me tell you I am a weenie. This was a very painful episode and one I pray I will never have to experience again.

I am thankful that the surgeon I was referred to is one of the best in our area. God really has provided for us in the many challenging health issues we have faced over the last three years.

First with the surgeon for Dave and the removal of his spleen, then the urologist that performed his prostate cancer surgery, next with the care Marcus received for treatment of his testicular cancer, and then with my surgeon for this totally unexpected health issue.

It is three weeks from the day of surgery and I am recovering well. We met with the surgeon today and confirmed that this was just a physical blockage caused by an adhesion, scar tissue and twisting of the intestine. No sign of cancer. Another blessing!

I am taking my time to recover to ensure no setbacks. I will not be back at work until May 18, 2009. And Dave is taking great care of me. There is the physical side of recovery that is going well but slow and steady and the psychological side of recovery that has its ups and downs.

I have finally turned the corner in being more comfortable with eating and am almost back to a normal diet. This was more difficult to achieve then you might expect as memories of food not digesting and the resulting pain played mind games with me for quite a while. It is only in the last 4-5 days I have turned the corner.

I lost about 15 pounds while in the hospital and hope to keep it off but also realize it was muscle loss and I will have a lot of work ahead of me to regain my physical strength. And still no lifting of more than 5 pounds for another 3 weeks.

I drove my car for the first time yesterday to take it in for its 30,000 mile service. We left it overnight and then I drove it home today. Not to bad but weird to drive after 22 days.

So, we are going back to the gym tomorrow just to do some cardio—walking on a flat treadmill for me. We have to start somewhere and it will help to build my endurance, I hope.

I spent Easter in the hospital and missed out on the Easter egg hunt held at my house. But next year I hope to be part of the celebration. Maybe we can even attend Easter Services all together!

Above everything I thank God for his grace and provision. He really does care about all our trials, big and small and I know I can trust Him in all circumstances. I remember some dark days in ICU where all I could do was lift my heart to Him to give me the strength for the next minute. And He was always there!

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