Like a tree trunk

It is wonderful to be home. I'm getting up occasionally for short walks. Other than some nausea and an occasional headache, another thing I'm experiencing is water weight gain. My stomach is so bloated it feels like a tree trunk. After not eating for 4 days, I was curious to step on the scale, imagine my alarm when I was 16lbs more than when I went into the hospital. Three of those pounds dropped off in the middle of last night, and, according to my surgeon, the rest will too, quite quickly - it's just that they pumped me so full of fluids, it has retained itself in my midsection. I'm going to trust him on this one, like I've done all along the way. He'd better be right...

Home

Ahhh, what a great feeling to have Debbie home. Nothing like it in terms of recovery. We got to visit in the Pres./St. Lukes Hilton a little extra longer than expected but Debbie's doing great now. A little nausea still but the meds are helping with that. Doctor Brown was very happy with her progress and said "Let's get you outta here". He also said something else that was so profound and really hit home. With a big smile on his face he said "Welcome back". Those two words really made us reflect on what a long and difficult year it has been. But those two words also signified much hope for our future!!!

I see this blog continuing but instead of updating you with treatment, it's now a blog of progress and recovery for Deb.

It's wonderful to make that switch.

Positive Vibrations

-Doug

Struggling a bit today

Hi All,
Deb's been struggling a bit the last few days with the post-op and recovery. She been nauseous much of the time and a bad headache. She needs to walk to get her plumbing to wake up but when she walks she gets sick. It's a delicate balance. We may be in the hospital a bit longer than anticipated, but we'll see. Hopefully things will turn around soon and we can get her home. I think home will be some good medicine for her.

-Doug

Success

Hello All,
You're prayers worked. God has blessed Debbie again by allowing another successful surgery. Everything went textbook in the operating room. She's tired and a bit sore but in great spirits and very relieved. We'll probably be in the hospital a couple more days. We are waiting on the plumbing to start waking up and then we should be able to go home.

Deb will be on a five year watch now and our newest prayer is for total remission.

Thank you all so much for supporting our family through this past year. We are truly blessed to have family and friends like you.

Positive Vibrations
-Doug

Today is the last surgery

We're about to head out to the hospital, but wanted to say a quick, and BIG "Thank You" to all of you who have wished well on this day. I know the illiostomy reversal will turn out successfully with all the prayers that have been sent up - just like all the other steps of this journey. To borrow words from my mom, "I'm a little worried, but very joyous for the outcome." I'm sure Doug will post again soon. My love to all.....

Our last step in Debbie's treatment.

Hello All,
Monday is Debbie's last surgery and I'd like to ask for your prayers for a successful surgery and beyond.

Thanks so much
-Doug

Feet, oh numb feet

There's been no improvement in the numbness of my feet yet. It's such an odd feeling, but one I'm okay dealing with as long as I know it'll eventually get better. What I DO feel, however, is a sensation that makes me think my body is attempting to heal that part. If you've ever had e-stim (electrical stimulation), you may understand. It's like when the dial gets turned up and you start to feel a vibration, then it gets turned down again. It happens about 2-3 times a minute, and only one foot at a time, not simultaneously. And in my fingers too. It doesn't hurt, just an odd sensation.

Next Monday at noon is my final surgery to get the ileostomy reversed. I should be in the hospital about 3 days, then recovery at home. This week is being spent finishing up my newsletters and preparing to be “down” again for a short while. This is the last leg of the journey, then I'll be whole again. I'll need to go in for regular colonoscopies and testing, but it'll all be for screening and prevention at this point.

Good news today

At today's appointment with Dr. McBride, Urogynecologist, he said things look much improved since my last visit 6 weeks ago, and that it should continue even more with time.

Final surgery date set

I just heard from Dr. Brown's scheduling, and it's looking like August 24th for my final surgery to reverse the illiostomy and get my plumbing back to normal again. Yeah. They say there's no bowel prep work necessary (yeah), and that I should expect to be in the hospital only 2 to 3 nights (yeah? I guess... it's better than the first one which was a week).

One year today

Hello Family & Friends,
Wow, it has been an amazing year for Deb and I. One year ago today Debbie was diagnosed with stage 2 colo/rectal cancer. The highs and lows we’ve experienced have been the most intense emotions we’ve ever experienced. But mainly, the incredible friendships and support you all have shown us have been overwhelming in a most positive way and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
 
A lot of you saw, on a daily basis, what the cancer and treatments did to Debbie. It tore her down unlike anything I’ve ever seen. But even on her worst days, she still never even for a moment thought that cancer would beat her. And to that, to see her today, other than a few remaining side effects, you’d never know she spent the last year battling a killer. We have just returned from vacation (Our belated 25th anniversary) and Deb did wonderful. She even did the zip lines over the treetops. Not bad for a person who three months ago couldn’t get out of bed.
 
We still have one more surgery to go and are shooting for the end of this month. With God’s blessing (And He hasn’t let us down yet) the last surgery will go flawlessly and her recovery will be short. We have been fortunate to have been blessed with the finest doctors who not only provided excellent care, but who also showed overwhelming compassion and made us feel special. Thanks Dr. Acker, Dr. Basche and Dr. Brown.
 
God Bless you all for your most appreciated support!!!!
 
Doug
 

Postponed 25th Anniversary

We finally celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary, postponed last October 1st for obvious reasons. We're now back from a week with friends in Cozumel, I felt quite good except for a little fatigue after zip lining 12 runs over the treetops. I am so thankful for my regained health, and the ability to do this kind of stuff again. I think back to 3 months ago when it was hard to get out of bed..... I was not as active as some of the group but enjoyed every bit of what I DID do, and watching the rest. Oh, and I was certain the doctors would have ordered a seaside massage, so I went ahead and had one while the others were snorkeling.

I started taking the Gabapentin 2-1/2 weeks ago for the numbness in my feet and fingers, and am still waiting for improvement. This Wednesday is a follow-up appointment with Dr. McBride to see if things are continuing to heal properly. Also this week I'll call Dr. Brown to see if I can set up the final surgery for either the end of August or end of September.