Rough Road.

As planned, dad had surgery on 8/13/09. Quite a long and stressful day for everyone... especially dad! We got to the hospital at 10:30 am. As always, dad was all smiles and ready to take the procedure on. After a few unsuccessful IV attempts, the presurgery nurse made him pretty comfortable with IV medications. He barely remembers a presurgery prayer with Joe McColligan, an associate pastor at the church who actually used to be a telemetry nurse. He went into surgery right at 12:30 and did not come out until almost 5 pm.

Dr Emmott said that everything went well and smoothly (whew, a relief!). While he was recovering in post anesthesia unit, he had some issues with pain control and low blood pressure. The usual one hour post recovery turned in to a 2 hour ordeal. Once he was stabilized, they moved him to his room.

All was well the next day. He got some sleep, but his abdomen was pretty tender! Dr Emmott felt he was looking good and he went home at 2pm! That evening Jerome and I watched a very long, drawn out, bad movie at his place (the Watchman... don't see it... especially with your parents... cussing, violence, and drawn out sex scene = uncomfortable). He slept well that night, but the next day things started getting rougher.

Saturday night his abdomen became more distended and tender. He had no appetite at all. He started having episodes of shaking and violent hiccups. He got very minimal sleep. Early Sunday morning I received a panic phone call from Colleen- dad was starting to vomit, he can't stand up straight, he is shaking, and his abdomen is so distended that you can bounce a quarter off of it! Pain level higher than ever. I jumped out of bed and headed over to his house... his usual smile was not present and I could tell something wasn't right. I call Dr Emmott and Colleen took dad up to the emergency room. Dr Emmott admitted him back into the hospital for possible illeus (pretty much his belly was sleeping still, a complication that 1 in 50 patients may experience). They started an IV, fluid replacement, and pain medications. He felt better, but still not right. This was by far the most stressful day, especially since I had to go into work :c( . It was hard not to be there by his side! I kept close communication by phone though... like a stalker! I went to see him after work and was still concerned when I left late last night.

Throughout the night he has made a turn for the better! He is not having any pain today and his abdomen looks MUCH better... his appetite is finally starting to kick in! One of the other urologist came by to see him today and was pleased with the progress- he is concerned that it may happen again, so he has been started on a bland diet. Dad should find out pathology results sometime today or tomorrow, he will hopefully be release in the morning if things continue to get better. I continue to pray that the results will show eradication of the cancer. Thank you so much to friends and family. The notes, calls, your presence and support have been amazing.

As for Jerome and I? Doing fine. Increased stress for sure, but still counting our blessings...