We've had a super busy first 1/2 of the month of August. Whew!
First I want to thank everyone for all your thoughts and prayers. We are so blessed and grateful to have so many people that are keeping us in their thoughts and prayers.
Dad went in for his surgery on August 4 and in true dad style, the surgery happened, KIND OF......
The plan was to remove the gall bladder and then do the esophagectomy. The gall bladder removal DID happen, the esophagectomy DIDN'T. Once the surgery team was able to get inside and survey the playing field, they found that main artery that provides blood flow to the liver, gall bladder, pancreas, stomach and large intestine was sandwiched between the bottom of the stomach wall and quite a bit of scar tissue (likely created from the radiation therapy). They tried to separate this artery from the scar tissue and the stomach but were unable to do this safely as any misstep could prove disasterous to many other important organs.
So, instead of attempting to be heroes and TRYING to do the surgery, they stopped. Safety was more important and we feel that the decision that was made was the RIGHT one. We still have dad here with us. And THAT is the most important thing.
So, he spent 8 days in the progressive care unit (PCU) at the VA hospital - it's not surgical ICU but the next step up. He was pretty rough the first few days, with good cause. The incision that was made is about 12" or so long from the belly button upwards toward the breast bone. Luckily, no additional incisions were made which would have proved even more painful in the chest and neck, so it is just the large incision that he will have to recover from.
Pain management was one of the roughest parts of this process. It took several days for the team to get the pain meds administered correctly, but it seems as of now we are on the right track. He's moving around pretty well now, a little more easily each day. The strength God has given him amazes me - he is so strong and such a trooper through all this.
Our next steps - well, that's something we're trying to get a handle on. Recovery from this surgery is something that is top priority. It is likely that we will meet with dad's oncologist and the radiation oncology team to determine next steps. Nothing in way of treatment or procedures for the next 6 weeks or so - just recovery.
He's slowly reintroducing food into his system again. Right now, his main source or nutrition is coming from his tube feedings that he does at night. However, he's given mashed potatoes and canned peaches a try and they seem to be okay with his system. We continue to take each day as it comes.
We continue to pray knowing that God has a plan and pray that maybe, just maybe the cancer has gone after the radiation and chemo and the full surgery not happening yesterday was God's way of telling us that he has it under control. We continue to be positive and look forward. Each day is a gift and for that we are blessed.
We can not thank everyone enough for all your prayers and support. I know I say this every time, but thank you just doesn't seem like enough to do or say for all the kindness and compassion you have shown our family.
We spent the day at the farm today working on the deck steps and of course HARVESTING a crazy amount of veggies. Dad is doing better each day. He spent a little time with us sitting on the deck when we were taking some of our TO's - it was so darn hot and humid today. It's good to see dad up and moving around again - taking it a little bit at a time.
We thought we'd share just SOME of the veggies from today. I think we ended up with about 3-4 pounds or green beans, so you know what we'll be doing tomorrow for our anniversary? Canning them. We didn't pick all the onions, there are still a crazy amount more to pick as well as cherry tomatoes and the roma tomatoes are just about ready for pickin' too. I have to imagine with all the bean flowers, we'll have at least this many beans to pick again next weekend or more. I think I counted 18 or 20 Green peppers alone!
So, that's the update from the barn.
We hope you are all doing well and enjoying your summer!
Hugs - Min & Glen
