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I apologize that I did not update yesterday, but Daddy got released from the hospital yesterday afternoon. Zoe and I went to visit him yesterday morning. He had had the NG tube removed the night before and had been on liquids with no problems. He got the go-ahead to resume a normal diet, and he shared a popsicle and banana with her, and later ate a normal lunch. Since his digestive system appeared to be working normally, they let him go! He is tired from the ordeal of the past week (and for some reason, he's had difficulty sleeping lately), but is antsy to get up and around more, and seems to be his usual self. Thanks to a dr. friend of my sister's, we got a better explanation of what happened -- apparently it is typical for people with Daddy's history to have a blockage caused by scar tissue or a "kink" in the intestine, and it is also fairly normal for it to work itself out when they get sufficiently hydrated and put on "stomach rest," which appears to be exactly what happened with him. We are grateful that he did not have to undergo surgery, and I think my parents know now how to seek treatment sooner should it happen again. Thanks for the prayers!

Another quick update

Daddy is still in the hospital, but had some more tests today to determine if there is a blockage [still]. Initial results look promising (i.e., it appears that the liquid they put in moved all the way through his digestive system), but when mom left the hospital tonight, the dr. still had not rounded with official results and, hopefully, the order to remove the NG tube. Daddy was getting pretty edgy (and, hey, if you hadn't eaten a thing in a week, wouldn't you?) so we feel sure he advocated for himself well with the nurses and doctors after mom left. IF there is still a blockage or problem, then that would mean surgery, but we are hoping that when the dr. came, they took out the tube and let him start on liquids tonight. I'll know more in the morning!

Quick update

Today, Daddy continues to improve somewhat. The surgeon said that he's not concerned about a blockage and doesn't think he needs surgery - yay! They think he just got so dehydrated that it caused a kink that seems to be working itself out. However, today Daddy is still very nauseous, partly because he has the NG tube down his nose. We have not really gotten any answers about what is causing the nausea, and no one seems to be concerned that he has not had anything of nutrional value in almost a week. They are just telling us that once his stomach settles down, they will reintroduce sustenance. In the meantime, he's allowed to eat popsicles and drink (although it promptly comes back out through the NG tube) -- it does help his throat, which is sore from the tube and from being sick for days. We appreciate your continued prayers. They did say that they will keep him in the hospital for a few days, likely until he can drink and keep fluids down and his body is functioning more normally. He is tired, and tired of being sick, but is getting out of bed at times, and planned to take a few little walks down the hall after we left today.

Prayers, Please

Daddy has been sick since Thursday with what they thought was a stomach bug, but (without going into gory details) others symptoms made it clear that something else was going on, so after a CT scan, they sent him to the ER at one hospital then transported him by ambulance to another (where his surgeons are) for emergency surgery to resolve the blockage in his small intestine. However, when he got to the hospital, he stabilized and they decided to wait and see if it resolves itself (which apparently happens sometimes). I have lots of questions, but my main one was: do they know what is causing the blockage? The answer I got was that the majority of the time it is scar tissue from previous surgeries (which he likely has plenty of). So if anyone is still reading this, we appreciate your prayers. Daddy is being cared for well and is receiving fluids, but has had virtually no nutrition since Thurs. He's not in much pain but is very nauseous still. I will update tomorrow as we know more.

Merry Christmas!

I can't believe it's been 5 months since I last posted. It's all for good reasons -- Daddy has been doing so well that sometimes I forget he was so sick. Just wanted to put a quick note on the blog for anyone who still reads this so you can celebrate with us. Daddy had a scan recently and he got the results on Fri. (which, by the way, was my parents' 39th anniversary!). The surgeon said he looks GREAT and he doesn't need to see him for 6 mo. Praise God!

I still get nervous around the time of his scans. Pancreatic cancer is such a horrible disease, and my dad, by God's grace, really has defied the odds. This time 2 years ago, I was sure that it would be my last Christmas with my dad, but I get to sit next to him next week at the Christmas Eve service for the third time since his diagnosis. Christmas for me has taken on new meaning in the past few years and I treasure this time to focus on and teach my children about Hope in the One who transcends all our sufferings, fears, and pain. Merry Christmas to all of you from our family!

A Good Report

Daddy went for a follow up appointment with his surgeon this week, and got a good report. The doctor is sending him for a follow up scan and lab work, but said that the recent lab work he had done at his annual physical looks good, particularly the indicator of his liver function (I know what it's called but don't know how to spell it). Apparently Daddy ran into all the surgeons while he was at his appointment (they are all amazed to see him doing so well), and was handing out business cards left and right!

Happy Father's Day!

To anyone out there who still checks this occasionally, Happy Father's Day! We are grateful to celebrate another Father's Day with Daddy. It almost slipped my mind to post because we are celebrating with him next weekend instead (along with all the June birthdays in our family) since he and mom are en route back from Texas as I type. This time last year when Daddy was in the hospital, they were talking about taking a road trip to Texas this summer and (honestly) I was thinking, "Yeah, right." But God is good, and they got to go (driving Daddy's big truck all the way to Houston and back) and should be home soon. I talked with them this morning and they had a lot of fun visiting my mom's sister and her husband. Every time I call my dad and he answers his phone, I think about how blessed I am that he is still here to pick up the phone and talk to me, even if it's just for a minute. He's a great Daddy who has taught me about what's really important and valuable in life. I'm posting a new family picture taken in May when we celebrated his recovery -- notice that we have one more than this time last year. :)