Doctors Report

I guess you can see that our lives are starting to get back to a normal hectic pace as I have not taken the time to write a new post until now. As for Tracey, she got her staples out with little to no pain. Her first real outing was on Thanksgiving. We actually made it to two family homes to enjoy food and family. It was very enjoyable even though we could not stay long. Her appetite has been good but in small amounts.

In the past, a day of strengh usually brings on a following day of fatigue. I was pleasantly surprised to find that Black Friday was a good day as well. However, we are not ready for shopping yet, when Saturday got here it caught up to her and she crashed...... Maybe next year! She spent all day in bed but the good days are getting longer and the bad days are shorter.

Now to the Doctors Report. Today we got a call from our Baltimore Surgeon. This was very goods news. We got to hear his positive outlook. He made the statement that he has performed well over 500 of these surgeries and out of all of them less than five had better results than Tracey. That is 5 not 5%. Also no addtional chemo was recommended at this point. WOW!!!! God is Good!!!!
Thank you for all your continued prayers and support.

Todd

Saturday 2 weeks after surgery

Now that I am back to work and Jackson has basketball practice and homework after school my posts may be weekly instead of daily. However, it has been a good week. She has good days and bad days. Her mobility is getting much better. She uses a walker for stablity. This is the first time after surgery that we have used a walker but it has been very helpful to get from point A to point B by herself. Her mother is still staying with her during the day and keeping the house in order while she sleeps and rests.

On Halloween she hung out on the couch while I handed out candy. Jackson went Trick or Treating with friends which made Tracey happy knowing that he was having a good time. Thursday she felt like riding in the car with her mother to pick Jackson up from basketball practice. That turned out to be a bad choice as her pain was much worse the next day. She is not quite ready for that kind of movement yet. At some point this weekend our wonderful neighbor Dr. Wenger is going to remove her staples. I can't wait to count them as they come out as there are a lot. I am sure Tracey is not as excited.

Keep the prayers comming as we can feel God's power in her healing.
Todd

Time at Home

Well it is now Sunday night and I am just now getting around to updating the blog. Saturday and Sunday have been very busy. She spent most of the weekend either on the couch, in bed, or in the bathroom. Due to the amount of surgery and chemo with her bladder the amount of time between bathroom visits is about one hour and a half. Her mobilty is limited and it takes help for her to get up and down that many times day and night. Thus the busy weekend. The amount of time between visits will increase over time and eventually make our life much easier.

We both would like to THANK all the people who have showed us support with food and gifts. I am headed back to work tomorrow and Tracey's mother will be staying with her during the day. The food allows us to spend time helping her heal and not being worried about perparing meals. She still feels very weak but hopefully one day soon she will feel like talking with each one of you. Thank you for all your prayers and support.
Todd

Going Home

It is Friday eight days after surgery and we get to go home. The orginal plan was for 10 days so getting to go home two days early is a blessing. We have packed up all our things and taken down all the wonderful photos of friends.

Now we are just waiting for the discharge and the plane flight. I can't wait to see Tennessee soil. Especially since Huricane Sandy is on course to hit the Baltimore/Washington area. Tracey has weathered the first leg of her personal storm and now we are getting out of here before the actual storm. Thanks for your support while we were away.  Hope to see you soon in Tennessee.
Todd.

Thursday Afternoon

Since our post yesterday afternoon, she is now wireless with final removal of the IV and drain.  It sure makes getting up alot easier. We have now taken three steps forward instead of two and she is getting stronger everyday. The Doctor was in this morning and cleared us to go home. Woohoo!!!! It will be nice to heal in the comfort of our own home. Most of all Jackson's first Middle School basketball game is Saturday and that means at least I will be able to attend. I can record it and let her watch when she feels up to it.

She is doing good and she feels like she is ready to come home. Thank you for all your prayers during our hospital stay. She knows a long road of recovery is still ahead and sometimes anxiety and fear overcome her thoughts.  Please continue prayers of strength and healing.
Todd

Wednesday Afternoon

From the old saying "two steps forward and one step back" well we took one step back last night. Late last evening they removed her catheter. Since most of the surgery was around her bladder it is very weak. That means that she has been up every hour since last evening. That also means that she is uncomfortable and exhausted. However, we did get started on solid food so we can progress back to regular functions. Now we are clear to take two steps forward again. Please pray for strength.

Thanks Todd

Tuesday Afternoon

Well its Tuesday and we have been here one week and our current vacation resort is getting a little old. Even thought Baltimore has been good to us Tracey asked that next time we plan a trip it has to have a few more five star features. She is starting to get back to her old self again.

On a productive note we made a lot of progress today. The epidural was removed and she will be treated with oral meds now. That leaves us with only two more wires to get removed and then were "wireless". Her 1:30 walk was a huge success as well. Our PT came by and we made the journey down the hall to a stairwell with glass windows. The PT allowed us to soak up some vitamin D for a few and then we tackled a small fight of stairs. Wow....she did great!!!

Todd

Monday Evening

We had a LONG and very TIRING day.  It culminated with Tracey being up three times and making good progress walking the halls.  However, she is exhausted and ready for some good rest.  They have started her on liquids today so we are making progress.

Our day was brightened when we received a visit from Laurie Trew.  Laurie is a childhood friend of Todd's who lives in the Baltimore area and the daughter of  Dr. Shelly Griffith.  Shelly has been an advocate both professionally and personally during her journey.  It was extremely nice to see a native Tennesseean.  Laurie was certainly a ray of sunshine in our day.

Tracey asked for prayers for complete healing.  Many thanks to those on Tracey's team.

Teresa and Todd

Monday Morning

It is currrently Monday morning about 11:20 and you can definitely tell that the work week is back in full swing. We have had many docs and nurses in to check on her. Her main doctor "The Surgeon" made his rounds about 7:00. He did not have any different news but it was the first time that Tracey got to hear the results straight from him. His tone was still extremely positive and that helped her a lot. After that the Physical Therapist come and we got her up for a walk. This time she was able to make if down a short hallway and back to a chair in our room. She sat there for about an hour and then got up for another walk. Now she gets rewarded with a nap. We should be able to take another walk after lunch.

It puts life in prospective on how lucky we are to be healthy and strong. The great part is that with her determination she will be healthy and strong soon.
Todd

Sunday Night

Tracey had a better day today.  Her pain has been managed much better and she was able to rest.  We lost another set of wires when they removed the heart and blood oxogen monitor.  This helps when we get her up.  She has gotten up twice today and walked a short distance. 

Today we have been able to share Bible verses that have been sent, written prayers and email and text messages of encouragement.  Photos of family and fun times have been hung on the walls in her room so that she can catch glimpses of happy times.  I must say that we also like to look at them too.

Many thanks to those continuing to bath her in prayer and by sending messages of encouragement or Bible verses.  We ask that you continue to pray for comfort, healing and peace as she experiences many emotions during this process.  You automatically think of pain but she also experiences sadness, anxiety and fear especially at night.  Things are always bigger when it becomes dark.

Tracey is looking forward to getting to see "THE SURGEON" tomorrow.  She has not been able to talk with him since before she went into surgery.  He was gone from Friday thru Sunday and she has only seen his Residents.  She can't wait to talk to him and hear first hand what he has to say.

Tracey sends her love to all!

Todd

Sunday Afternoon

It is now 1:30 and so far Sunday has been a very good day. After our short walk yesterday the pain set in. From 3:00 to about 11:00 last night her pain was extremely difficult to bare. Pain management is now dealing with needing to balance her epidural meds with the increasing loss of meds from surgery. We increased the dosage around 8:00 last night and by 11:00 she was setteled in. Today the meds must be working. She just finished anohter short walk and Teresa was able to brush her hair and have her bed cleaned. No pain so far. She asked that I keep everyone updated as she does not want the prayers to stop comming in. Please pray for comfort and healing. Thank You. Todd. 

Saturday in our room

We made it to a permanent room Friday night about 9:00. This made Friday night a quite and peaceful night. She was able to rest extremely well. Saturday morning brought on some anxiety and she had several waves of fear and panic. We had to pray our way through the fear. The pain continues to be under control. She was able to sit in a chair for the first time about 12:00. Then again at 3:45 she took a short walk as well as some addtional chair time. Please pray for no complications as well as peace, comfort, and healing.

Todd

Still In Recovery

Tracey is coming out of anesthesia and wants out of the recovery room!  It is a very busy, noisy place.  Even though it has been a long day for us, she has rested very well and her pain remains under control.  We have been told that she is assigned a room and should be moved tonight but we are still waiting.  Hopefully, we will be settled in her room by Saturday's update. 

Todd

The morning after Surgery

It is the day after surgery and Tracey is still in the recovery unit. She is doing great and only still there due to the lack of rooms in the intermediate care unit. We all got to see her around 11:00 last night and she was awake and able to talk with us. Her skin color looks great and she seems to be more comfortable than any of the other surgeries. She told the pain management unit that her pain mantainence was better as well. Even though her pain is controled and she seems to be doing great, the recovery room is loud and not very restful. We pray that she is able to be moved into her own room and start the healing process.
Todd

Headed to Recovery

We were notifed around 8:30 that the surgery was complete and that it would be a couple of hours before we could see her.  Dr. Alexander met with us and discussed the details of the surgery.  He stated that the surgery "went beautifully" and that he was very pleased with the outcome.  To summarize there were five tumors removed which were located in the lower right quadrant of her pelvis as indicated by the scans.  This is good news because this means that there were no new areas involved.  The HIPEC (chemo wash)  was administered after the surgical procedure.  The Doctor felt the chemo wash was the perfect application for her situation.  Since the surgery started much later than anticipated, we think that she will remain in recovery through the night.  Please continue to pray for her recovery and specifically for a restful night.  Thanks to everyone for their comments...it is a clear reminder of how much she is loved. 

Todd

Closing of Surgery

It is now 7:45 and we just got word that they are closing her now. No new info at this time but the doctor will be coming up to talk with us after he is finished. So far everything is still good. I will update again after we get the final report. Ignore the post time as it is incorrect.
Todd

Surgery Day

Arrived at hospital at 8:30 and did prep for surgery.  Surgery was scheduled for 10:30 but did not actually begin until 12:54.  Long wait! We finally received an update at 4:30 from the anesthesiologist and urologist.  Both Doctors reported that Tracey was doing well during the procedure and her vitals were good.  The known tumors have removed successfully.  No additional surgery was required on her colon.  Good news!!!  The urologist had a concern with the bladder prior to surgery and it was left in tack as well.  Good news again!!  Major work was done around the bladder and ureters (very tedious area) but the urologist does not think there should be any long term issues.  Final report from the surgical onocologist will come at the close of surgery.  Approximately another hour before the HIPEC (heated chemo) will be administered.  That process takes about 90 minutes and an additional 90 minutes to finish the procedure. She will then be in recovery for an unknown period of time.  We will update again after we talk to Dr. Alexander.  Thank you and please continue to pray for God's healing hand and grace.  Todd

The Story Begins...

Yesterday we drove to Nashville, flew to Baltimore, rode the light rail downtown, checked in hotel,met with the anesthesiologist, did pre-op, and finally met with the surgeon. Notice I did not mention breakfast or lunch.  We finally got to eat around 6:30 and we were all exhausted.  We all slept 12 hours from the long day.  My entourage in Baltimore consists of Todd, Teresa and Mimi.  Not to mention all of my wonderful thoughts and prayers from Tennessee.

After talking to the surgeon yesterday, I would have been willing to run, walk, or swim to get out of this.  But I know it is something I have to do.  The details were a little overwhelming and I am hoping this part of my journey in the hospital goes quickly. 

I am to arrive at the hospital at 8:30 in the morning (Thursday).  The procedure should begin around 9:30 and could last from 8-10 hours.  We were told that I would be in an intermediate care unit for two to three days prior to being moved to a room.  I feel good about the surgeon and where we are. He is extremely detailed and very thorough.  As we were looking over past scans and reports, I pulled out of my folder along with the scan reports some photos I had copied for Teresa to put on my hospital wall.  The one on top was of Jackson on the back of our boat with his wakeboard and HUGE smile.  Dr. Alexander picked up the photo and gazed at him for a long time.  I know from his response he is going to do all in his power to make this procedure work so I can be around for a long time.

When I woke up this morning I thought even though I don't like where I am or what I am dealing with, if the Lord is putting me through this then I will be his vessel.  I will try to be still and know that he is God.

So many people have already encouraged and helped me in so many ways and for this I am so thankful.  Please continue to pray.  We are missing alot of firsts with Jackson in middle school from getting his first grade card to his first 6th grade basketball game.  This might seem insignificant but to me and Todd it is the world.  I am truly thankful for all I have.