He's home!

Yesterday I was pretty wiped out for most of the day, but I just napped on the extra bed in Harv's new room. I didn't have the energy for much at all. In fact, against my normal self, I called out to a friend and said "can you get me/us some Thai food?" And, she did! (And, extra goodies, too!) Thank you, friend!

Harv was much more like himself yesterday -- did the crossword, read the paper, checked out Sarah and Hannah's pinhole camera that they made, took a couple of good walks, ate more food (but still not a ton of food), and napped a bit. 

I "woke up" at about 4:00 and stayed at the hospital until about 8:00-ish. And, even after a very nappy day, I went to bed before 10:00 and didn't wake up until 6:30-ish.

Not much more to report... continued prayers for us all are appreciated.

Thank you to all of our friends and family who have cared for us in so many different ways. Thank you for being available for Thai food runs and sushi runs and grocery store runs. Thank you for listening to our stories. Thank you for praying for us. Thank you for taking this journey with us. It's easier 'cause you're along for the ride.

Here's hoping today brings even more healing.

Love you.

Harv texted me at about 6:30 this morning with a "morning, girl". It was nice to get such a cheery text.

He told me he felt well-rested and was slow moving, but didn't feel sick at all.

Got here around 10:00 (could not move fast enough). He was looking good and sounded better. His throat is still a little sore from the intubation, but less sore than last night.

We watched a video on how to deal with a colostomy bag. :-) He no longer has a catheter. He and the girls are going to go for a walk soon.

While I am so thankful that he feels so much better and that this new adjustment seems less overwhelming than it did at first, I am TOTALLY wiped out. I slept hard last night, but waking up hasn't come easily today.

Please continue to pray for healing and quick & thorough recovery.

Thank you to all the people who have helped in very practical, tangible ways. Thank you to all the people who have been praying. Thank you for loving us.

Have a happy Saturday! (I might take a nap today.)
:-)

I'm whooped.

It's been a good day. Friends came to sit with me and Celeste when Harv went to surgery.... And they brought sushi!!

Harv did have a little bit of relief overnight, but not a significant amount and after discussing with Dr. Pietro, we decided to go ahead with surgery. He was scheduled for surgery at about 1:00, but it didn't really start until after about 2:00.

Dr. Pietro came out about and hour or so ago to tell me the following:

- the surgery went well
- able to do it all laparoscopically

- they successfully removed the tumorous part of the colon

- he looked around in the abdomen and didn't see any evidence of other tumors

- the margins around the tumorous part of the colon looked good

- he removed lymph nodes

- the tumor will be sent to the lab to see how cancerous it is

- the colon should be happier in a couple of weeks

- he may want to eat jello tonight and tomorrow might feel like solids

- he'll need to stay in hospital until he's able to handle colostomy bag by himself, etc.

I am thankful for lots of things.... Today, I am thankful for doctors who know what they're doing, nurses and support staff who try to make our lives easier, coffee, wine, sushi, friends who support me, Celeste, Sarah, Hannah and Harvey.

Haven't seen Harv yet. Think it will be soon. Am hoping to get home before too crazily long.... I think I'll sleep pretty well.

Love you, people!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M NOT KIDDING!!!!!!! Mwah! Mwah! Mwah!

Surgery @ 1:00.

GFW!!!!

:-)

So, here's the deal:

Harv still has air in his colon -- not as much as yesterday, but still too much. He's uncomfortable again and still is having trouble getting rid of it.

So, the doctors (McCullough- GI doc, Lin- oncologist, and Pietro- surgeon) all discussed the options to help Harv. 

The very best option is for Harv to get rid of all that air so there is no longer a blockage.  In that scenario, he would naturally feel relief, and Dr. Lin would have Harv undergo radiation to shrink the tumor even further and then SOMEDAY perhaps have surgery to remove the tumor. 

The other option is to have surgery tomorrow to remove that part of the colon where the tumor is (and the blockage). There is greater risk for the surgery because of some of the chemo he's been on. This surgery would involve him having a colostomy bag which would be a permanent thing. The colostomy bag would need to happen because one of the chemo drugs he's on slows the healing process and if they tried to reattach the colon, there is a possibility that it wouldn't heal properly and there is a risk of leakage into the abdomen -- which could be fatal. So, the colostomy bag is part of that package -- no negotiations.

Dr. Pietro has ordered an x-ray for tomorrow morning to see if there is still significant blockage. He's also going to schedule surgery for later tomorrow afternoon with the hopes that it can be cancelled if the blockage has disappeared.

For all of you who pray and believe in miracles, please pray for Harvey to be totally healed. Pray that he would find natural relief in his colon and that he WILL NOT have to undergo surgery tomorrow. THAT is our number one prayer.

Whatever the case, please pray that everyone make the best decisions for Harv and for our family. 

We are a bit weary, but we are hopeful. 

As a wise woman once said: "GoFightWin!"

Was reminded of this verse and I like it:

Remember your word to your servant, for you have given me hope. My comfort in my suffering is this; your promise preserves my life.              

-Psalm 119:49-50 


***** I get to take Raney to visit Papa (Harvey) at the hospital tomorrow morning!!! They're both gonna be so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It's gonna be GREAT!!! *****

Love you people!