Off topic: Wife's surgery

Greetings from ICU.  Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery this morning all went well, but the surgeon didn't particularly like the looks of her liver, so they took a sample to do a biopsy, and sent her here to ICU as a precaution in case the liver should begin to bleed as a result.  She's still sawing logs.  If things go well, she should still be discharged tomorrow as planned, which will make Bandit very happy.

Oh, and I must've dropped my cell phone as I got out of the car over by the MS Center across campus.  On the fifth try, someone answered, and said that's where her daughter found it.  They're now dozens of miles away, but will be back in the morning, and will drop the phone off at the registration desk there so I can pick it up.

[truelove47]

Prayers are with you both  +bandit               Be well          Linda

[biowham]

Yikes. Does your wife have a liver history? How are her liver panels? CTs of any kind?

Here's hoping for a clean liver and a speedy recovery.

Bio

[essdipity]

Thinking of you now and hoping things continue to go well. Laparoscopic gastric bypass! Gosh, I'm sure that makes the recovery a lot easier. May she do very well, and you too.

ess

[PastorDan]

Thanks a zillion.  Her liver is suspect due to years of weight, mild hypertension, some hypercholesterol, and Type 2 Diabetes.  Time will tell.  Getting the weight off will at least keep it from getting worse.  She really needs to get the weight off to be able to get through double knee replacements.

Here with us today is a dear longtime friend who had a variant of this surgery 10.5 months ago, and has lost 188 pounds so far.  She looks great.

Peace.

[Heather3418]

Oh Lord, I didn't know all this was going on with you and your wife.  I must have missed something here.

Your wife will jump for joy when the day comes that she is told that she is no longer an active diabetic.  And it will happen.  No more high cholesterol, probably no hypertension, maybe she will get a break from needing that knee replacement.

I don't mean to get into your personal business, but would you mind updating us on how your wife is doing and what her liver biopsy reveals.  I would guess that the surgeon found what they call a "fatty liver," and took a biopsy just to be sure, while he was already in there.

May God Bless you both.  To watch over you and give you strength in this time of need.  God loves you and so do I.  Would you give your wife a gentle hug and a peck on the cheek and tell her that it's from the MS Forum?  We all wish her a speedy recovery.

Best Wishes,
Heather

[Janette2836]

Pastor Dan
Thanks for the update.  I do hope that the recovery goes well for her.  Hopefully with the lap procedure should speed up that process. Take care of each other!
Janette

[hbananas]

Best wishes to you and the Mrs on a speedy recovery.  I, too, have a fatty liver and am prediabetic, so getting rid of the weight ought to fix her right up.

How in the world do you have Internet access in the ICU?  Just curious.

[Rena705]

Glad to hear your wife is through the surgery and I hope she has a quick recovery...I will be thinking of you both!

Lots of Hugs,
Rena

[Lulu54]

Hey PD,
This is all good news, except for the person who drove off with your phone.  Wouldn't common sense tell them to turn it in at the information desk and not take it out of the building?  Oh well, the world is full of all kinds and I hope they turn it back in tomorrow.

So glad the wireless connection is working for you to stay in touch with the world.  When my DH was in for his heart stuff we could use the laptop in his room if we wanted (I didn't tell him that and did not bring it in because he would have been obsessing over work).  

I'm glad you have told everyone here about your wife's surgery - everyone will have lots of advice or at least kind words.  

Give her my best - and let us know how you are doing too!
Laura

[PastorDan]

What can I say?  This bunch is the best.

So is this hospital.  She even was asked to sign off on participation in two research studies that would involve little details of her surgery.  One included donating some of the tissue that would otherwise go in a sealed container in a landfill to instead be used in research to fight Crohn's Disease.  They wanted her healthy tissue -- being removed and discarded -- to use in comparison studies with Crohn's patients' tissues in various lab tests.  And as Laura said, the whole place is Wi-Fi enabled, so if I can find a place to get juice for the laptop, I can get online.

I got kicked out for a bit; ICU has restricted visiting hours, but I'll be back up there in an hour.  Good time to eat & read mail.

Oh, Heather, we do appreciate the thought, but her knees are much too far gone.  When she rises from a sitting to a standing position, you can hear the floorboards creaking -- even if she's standing on padded concrete.  The sound is actually from her bones ginding together; there's nothing left between them.

thanks and blessings to all again.

[rendean]

Glad to hear your wife came through the surgery well. Sending only good thoughts and best wishes to you both, including one that the cell phone returns tomorrow ;-)

Please keep us updated.

Rendean

[deborah0904]

I'm so thankful your wifes surgery went well.  I'm praying she will not have much pain and have a quick recovery with excellent results.  I know this is difficult for you as well as you go through your illness.  Be sure to take care of yourself.  God bless and I'm praying for you both.
Deborah

[PastorDan]

I will add this: I felt the long exam/consult/conversation that I had with the MS Center's Nurse Practitioner was very helpful.

[michelleric]

So glad your wife's surgery is over, and I pray her recovery goes well. I am almost 3 years post-op Lap RNY, and am doing well in the weight category. Let us know how she is doing...
Michelle

[rudyhorse]

Our thoughts and prayers will continue for your family.  Keep us posted, you know how we can get if you try to leave or don't keep us updated. LOL :)  I have auto-immune liver disease, so maybe I can be a listening ear or understand something medical hahaha if it is about the liver.  Best wishes
Tracy

[PastorDan]

We're still in ICU today, but I got the cell phone back, at least!

Liver biopsy confirmed cirrhosis, evidently due to the years of excess fat, sugar, blood pressure, and medicines.  i haven't researched the implications yet, but will.

They're waiting for her surgeon to get a break from surgery (duh?) so he can visit again and decide if she should move to a regular room today.  She will stay another night; that much we've been told.

Oh, update just came: Yes, she's going to a regular room, on the 10th floor of one of the other buildings.  Hopefully a beter view from up there.

Peace.

[Lulu54]

that's good news - both that she is moving from ICU and that they are keeping her one more day at least.  I know visiting in the hospital can be a drag, but she is in agreat place for now.

later,
L

[michelleric]

I am sorry the test shows she has cirrhosis of the liver. I will keep you in my thoughts and am glad she is moving to a "regular" hospital room. I will continue to keep her in my thoughts and prayers,
Michelle

[deborah0904]

I'm sorry for this finding but will pray that God gives the Dr.'s the wisdom to treat her.  My prayers continue for you both.

[Fluffysmom]

Well, good news/bad news, eh?  I think it's great that your wife is donating tissue for studies, that she's recovering well, and that this surgery to improve her health uncovered another health issue that may not have been discovered for a while.  Hopefully her doctors will be able to treat the cirrhosis and keep it from getting worse.  I don't know a lot about it.

I did have a neighbor with liver problems, and she said that astralgus root can help; you can ask a doctor, or research it yourself, and then ask a doctor if its safe.

As for her knees, the weight loss will help a whole lot with her recovery from knee replacements; I know from my own knees that each extra pound puts four extra pound of pressure on your knees; ouch!

I'm glad you had a good visit with the MS Center's Nurse Practitioner.

I hope Bandit's not pining away too much...

Adding my prayers to all the rest, and sending a cyber hug your way.

Kathy

[PastorDan]

Thank you.

Bandit's actually having the time of his life.  He's staying with his groomer, whom he loves, and she is letting him run in her securely fenced back yard along with a half dozen of her Whippets, her Shih Tzu (Bandit's half Shih Tzu), and a very friendly young Doberman.  The weather's been beautiful here for two days+, so he's spent nearly the whole time outdoors.

[hbananas]

Since your wife's a Type 2 diabetic, let me share with you what happened to my best friends' hubby.  After his gastric bypass, he immediately was no longer diabetic.  No medicines, nothin!  And this was even before the weight started falling off.

So, let's hope and pray that the surgery cures the diabetes, which reverses the fatty liver disease, which halts the cirrhosis, and the remaining healty parts of her liver do a good job keeping up with things.

I'm glad she's in a regular room, you have had productive visits at the MS center, and Bandit is happy.

[Trace420]

My prayers and thoughts are with you and your wife, PastorDan.

[opie74]

PD,
Sorry that it has taken me so long to weigh in.  I have mpt had much time lately.  It is a good thing that they discovered the liver when they did.  It is also a good thing that yall did not procrastinate any longer with the surgery.  It goes to prove that gasteric surgery is not elective only.

You all are in my prayers.  I hope that you will be able to return to normal by Easter.

Blessings to you both,
Ann

[PastorDan]

Many, many thanks to all.  May our great and wonderful God extravagantly bless each of you, and each of those whom you hold dear.

[Lulu54]

PD- aren't you tired yet?  get some rest because you are going to be needed even more in the coming days.  Thanks for the update -  I was looking for some more news. - L

[PastorDan]

Yes, Laura, I'm turning in now.  So is Bandit.  Good night.

[PastorDan]

Loretta called about 15 minutes ago; she's being discharged today, so Bandit will just wait here while I go get her.  It's raining here now, and he wouldn't have near as much fun at the groomer's.

Blessings all 'round.

[Janette2836]

That is wonderful news!  Bandit will make a great "welcome home" gift!!!  Puppies have a way of brightening our days.  Take forget to take care of yourself during this time also.  Thanks for the update.

Janette

[PastorDan]

Well, it turned out to be wishful thinking on her part, but maybe this afternoon or evening.  We'll see how she does with certain functions as the day continues.

Peace.

[saveone]

I haven't been online much and I am sorry I have not responded to your post before now.  I glad she came through everything okay.  You and yours remain in my prayers.  terry

[PastorDan]

please don't feel badly about not responding; I know I can't come close to responding to those posts and/or persons to which/whom I'd like to respond.

We've been home a few hours; I've been back to town for the pharmacy, and all are ready to sleep like logs.

Eye pain has really slammed me this evening, so i'm leaving you to your own devices for the night.  Be good! ;D

[Guitar_grrrl]

Thinking good thoughts for you and yours.

Guitar_grrrl

[Eyesnlegs]

I haven't written yet but have been watching this post and thinking of you. There is so much going on that you must be mentally and physically exhausted.

Take care of yourself so that you can be strong for each other. My thoughts are with you both. Give her lots of love and hugs from everyone here.

Pat

[LLWB]

I hope you and your lovely wife had a good nights rest. Hopefully your eye pain is better, and the stress of having to visit in the hospital, and worry about surgery and the new findings can be relieved now.  Have a good weekend And remember the promise that If you ask in His name, you will be healed.

Blessings
Maggie
OSL

[jed9999]

Blessings and healing to you and Loretta! You both certainly have the support of this community! I believe you will find some comfort (and reduction of optic nerve swelling) if you apply ice to each eye individually while you do your research or resting. It seems such a simple cure, yet it works! Our thoughts and prayers are with you both. Jane in Indiana