Surgery

We have endured a bit more emotional whiplash this week.  We met with Marc's oncologist and palliative care doctor on Wednesday.  Both were good meetings and we came away with some ideas and prescriptions that will hopefully ease his pain and vomiting spells.  Both have been difficult the last few weeks and we are somewhat desperate to get control of both.

Friday we finally met with the elusive surgeon that was supposed to help Marc a couple of weeks ago.  Yes, he does exist!  We had a great meeting with him and he is very optimistic about a couple of options.  The first option is to put the peg tube in his stomach.  This would allow him to vent the gas and bile from his stomach without vomiting constantly.  The second option (the one we are shooting for) is a gastric bypass.  The doctor feels fairly confident that he can bypass the blockage in his small intestine.  This would alleviate the vomiting, but would also allow him to eat again.  We like that idea!  While the procedure is not a cure and would not prolong his life, it would allow him to have a measure of normalcy in his life again.  Taking all of his nutrition by IV has been a drag.  The smell of summer barbecues or the sight of a big bowl of ice cream, put him over the edge.  To sit down and have a meal with family again is something dreams are made of!

So....Monday we head back up to the hospital.  This time the surgeon actually knows we are coming and is prepared for us -- not in Asia as he was last time.  Sigh (I'm still a bit grumpy about the last escapade).   They are adding him into the schedule, so the guess is that he will go in between noon and four o'clock. 

We would ask for your continued prayers during the upcoming week.  Please pray for the surgery and recovery.  This operation is not without risks and it could make him quite sick if there are complications.  Pray for the kids as they face another week of ping-pong parents, as I bounce back and forth between hospital and home.  Pray for all of our family and friends that will be helping us during this week that they don't get worn out or tired.  I would appreciate your prayers for myself, too -- I have gotten a bit worn out the last couple of weeks.  I'm hoping to get some good rest this weekend before we head off to the hospital on Monday. 

With love and gratitude....