Skip to main content

A Walking Miracle

Today we finally moved out of limbo and have a plan of action! We met with Dr. Contreras again this morning who is a thoracic surgeon at Huntsman. We really like him as a person and as a professional. We've collectively made the decision to move forward with Sid getting the surgery done. If you're curious the procedure is specifically called an Ivor Lewis Esophagectomy. This will happen on June 5th. 

We were told that Sid is likely less than 1 or 2 percent of patients who have started with metastatic disease with response to treatment and now being treated as if it were a localized cancer. Sid responded that he fully attributes this to Divine intervention as a result of the many prayers said on his and our behalf. Dr. Contreras completely agreed. Truly a walking miracle. 


Generally, this surgery entails removing the lower third (more or less) of his esophagus, upper section of the stomach (which will permanently reshape the stomach into a tube shape), and the surrounding lymph nodes and blood vessels. It should go without saying that this is very intensive by nature. It's a month away, but already they have Sid doing things to prepare for it and he'll have even more strict instructions for the two weeks prior to the 5th.

We've been told to expect between 8-12 weeks before Sid will be up to all of his current day to day living. But even that was generous. Bodies need nutrition and hydration and a key section of that in Sid is going to be completely remodeled. He is going to be very tired for a very long time. With that in mind, it may be difficult to always respond when others reach out. The delay or lack of response is not a reflection of how we feel about the incredible love being extended our way; it is just a result of us trying to tread water. 

The most critical time will be the 2 weeks immediately after surgery. He will probably spend that entire time in the hospital. There are many benchmarks that he needs to reach to show that his body is healing properly. Only after he reaches those specific criteria will he be allowed to start eating and drinking orally again. And even then it will be slow, incremental adjustments to regain normal food and not just liquids. 

We fully expect this to be the hardest part of our journey thus far. However, we've managed to make it through some pretty tough stuff already and we know that with faith and support from friends and family we can do it again. 

"There is peace in Christ
When we learn of Him
Feel the love He felt for us 
When He bore our sins
Listen to His words
Let them come alive
If we know Him as He is
There is peace in Christ 

He gives us hope
When hope is gone
He gives us strength
When we can't go on
He gives us shelter
In the storms of life
When there's no peace on Earth 
There is peace in Christ"

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Miraculous

After a miraculous stay at the hospital, Sid was discharged on Thursday - exactly one week from his surgery. I use "miraculous" very intentionally. There isn't a logical reason for Sid to be healing so well. We were told his stay would most likely be 10-14 days.  I should make mention that the obvious blessings apparent in this journey do not (and have not) always help us avoid difficulties. The first night home was incredibly hard. The instant shift from having a professional nurse monitoring all of Sid's meds, food, wound care, etc to us taking on all of that responsibility, was... overwhelming. Every department sends you home with a literal packet of info to read and there are some discrepancies on how to handle certain care. I consider myself a very capable person and I also have a decent background in medical care between my days as an EMT and my college job at the plasma center. It was still a lot to have thrust on us all at once. But with some good planning and...
1 comment
Read more

Sunday Will Come

I had a good cry about a week ago. It's been a while since I let it all out when thinking about Sid's diagnosis. But as this day (and week) has crept closer all of the memories of this same week, last year, have come flooding back. A year ago today life shifted for us. Honestly, I feel like I've lived 6 years in the past 365 days (give or take some). There's a part of me that wants to try and explain what I was feeling and experiencing; it somehow seems significant to do so, even if just for documentation purposes. But trying to put it into words seems impossible; it's a bit too personal to lay it all out, and at some point it's only really comprehended if you're actually experiencing it. I obviously don't wish that on anyone. But even in reflecting on the gloomy and painful memories I am reminded of many kindnesses. There was, and is, a lot of support and an incredible amount of love. I do love remembering that part.  I also want to express gratitude fo...
Post a Comment
Read more

Post surgery: Day 4

Sid has been recovering so well! His doctor is so pleased with his progress. For the most part the pain has been very controlled with only a few rough goes.  At this point we are all just waiting for his intestines to finish waking up so that they can remove the NG tube that's removing his stomach acid and one of the chest tubes that's draining excess fluids from the surgery site internally. Each day he is getting more mobile and stronger. Hopefully tomorrow those tubes will be removed!
Post a Comment
Read more