Good Pain
Last night, J's pain was the most pain he had ever experienced...a 13 out of 10. He said it was like a huge cramp that would not let up. He thought he was going to pass out it was so unbearable. He could barely breathe or speak. I ran out in the hall after pushing the call button with tears covering my face, ready to pull a Terms of Endearment, but our incredible nurse was already rallying the troops. All the nurses came in the room surrounding J's bed. I was crying in the corner out of the way and helpless to do anything. They hooked him up to all kinds of monitors. His heartrate had gone to 100, blood pressure went up and his oxygen dropped. They were able to increase his morphine until his pain went down to a 9. The doctor ordered x-rays to determine if there had been a perferation in J's gut. They confirmed everything looked okay, and said it was probably the build up of fluid in his intestine from the CAT scan prep that caused the contractions in his gut. They kept a close watch on him all night and J woke up feeling better this morning. Scary, heartwrenching night.
J's CAT scan came out abnormal. Our surgeon said the results of the scan did not look like what he was expecting to see at all. He said that nothing was distiguishable on the scan and that worried him. Also, J's right kidney and the tube going down to his bladder was distended. Our sugeon said this is the location where he had removed tumor, so there could be a possible scarring that is pinching the area. They will have to put a stent in to open it up and make sure his kidney doesn't lose function and die. The confusing news felt like another punch in the face yesterday. We feel like we got a grip on the cancer, so to have another thing unrelated,and yet so concerning, is hard. Our surgeon doesn't feel like it could be tumor regrowth because it is too soon, but was visibly concerned about the mystery of what is going on. Also, another mystery is that J's Band Form level went down to zero today, so it is normal now even though the blockage is still there. So much to be confused about, and so much more trust GOD with.
So, today J will get another procedure done to actually look inside and see the reconstructed area. We are hoping for good news, though that has not been the pattern in this whole journey. They are scheduling surgery for tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping that with the surgery at least there will be some speck of light at the end of this tunnel. If J has surgery on Friday, then at least we know we are going home in a week from then. Also, he is so uncomfortable now, and in so much pain, that I told him that at least after surgery the pain and discomfort he will be feeling will be the healing kind. The type of pain that you know your body is recovering and rebuilding...good pain....if there is such a thing.
Team JIMSTRONG Contributors
Peter & Irene Moy & Family
J's CAT scan came out abnormal. Our surgeon said the results of the scan did not look like what he was expecting to see at all. He said that nothing was distiguishable on the scan and that worried him. Also, J's right kidney and the tube going down to his bladder was distended. Our sugeon said this is the location where he had removed tumor, so there could be a possible scarring that is pinching the area. They will have to put a stent in to open it up and make sure his kidney doesn't lose function and die. The confusing news felt like another punch in the face yesterday. We feel like we got a grip on the cancer, so to have another thing unrelated,and yet so concerning, is hard. Our surgeon doesn't feel like it could be tumor regrowth because it is too soon, but was visibly concerned about the mystery of what is going on. Also, another mystery is that J's Band Form level went down to zero today, so it is normal now even though the blockage is still there. So much to be confused about, and so much more trust GOD with.
So, today J will get another procedure done to actually look inside and see the reconstructed area. We are hoping for good news, though that has not been the pattern in this whole journey. They are scheduling surgery for tomorrow afternoon. I am hoping that with the surgery at least there will be some speck of light at the end of this tunnel. If J has surgery on Friday, then at least we know we are going home in a week from then. Also, he is so uncomfortable now, and in so much pain, that I told him that at least after surgery the pain and discomfort he will be feeling will be the healing kind. The type of pain that you know your body is recovering and rebuilding...good pain....if there is such a thing.
Team JIMSTRONG Contributors
Peter & Irene Moy & Family
posted by GODisgood at 12:27 PM
4 Comments:
We're glad you're home. We'll be praying for you on Friday.
Love,
Reggie & Kanani
Rem and Jim,
It's Friday, and we're thinking of you, dearly hoping that the tide will turn with this surgery.
Lots of love, from Kevin & the girlies too,
Toni
Rem and Jim,
We're so happy you're home, but so sorry for the new complications. Praying for God's strength and healing for you, and for God's wisdom for the doctors and nurses caring for you. So glad that God never lets us go! I know he will give you the grace you need. We love you!
Lauren and family
Jim's strength and endurance is amazing. Being able to endure the significant amounts of pain and discomfort in the different cycles is a very difficult challenge. Fortunately Rem, you are there to support him with love and unspoken empathy. Your strength flows and joins his spirit, healing him in mind and body, allowing him to recover and fight off the illness.
Get well soon!
Dave
Post a Comment
<< Home