Overnight into Morning

Applying the Blood …at 5:30 am the Uber arrived and my mind said “today I declare we are under the Blood of Christ!” I’m going to pour back over that book by Derek Prince; I was once counseled that an annual study of the power of the blood is a good practice. Such sage wisdom!

Yesterday’s scan revealed some things. Some are not great (abscess under incision), some questionable (fluid in a place it shouldn’t be). We learned at 1 am that labs would be drawn early and the results would guide the team on the plan. That’s why I came back…to be here for the draw, the plan, and the waiting game.

The prayer was and is that NO MORE SURGERY will be needed…and HEALING!! …and that J gets to eat again!

The doc assessed J’s opening (the staples were removed and he’s packed with gauze) and put us on the Hurry Up and Wait plan. You know, the one where they discuss what she saw, everyone gives their opinion, and then they come tell us. It didn’t take too long…and just after 9 am, we learned the plan:

• Drain the abscess from the area (where the packed gauze is). This will be in Radiology under mild sedation…hopefully, early afternoon.
• The absence of that should relieve the pressure on the “why is that fluid sitting there” space.
• Watch J get better really fast so they they close the wound completely
• Hit all the markers to get booted out of here!

He can eat immediately following the draining procedure! It’s been 26 hours and 20 minutes, but who’s counting.

Hmmm…? How to bless J? Gift cards to his favorite spots? He is seriously naming all the places he want to go when he gets out of here. I’ve been there…I get it.

Praise!

• No more surgery!
• All the labs are moving in the right direction
• A timely visit with love, laughter, and prayer from Minnesota-now-New York friends.
• I had the privilege of reading today’s entry of My Utmost for His Highest to J. We both appreciated the nugget, “Jesus Christ did not come only to teach; he came to make me what he teaches.” Wowzers. J rested solidly after that. Thank you, M.D. for the gifted book!

Prayer

• Please stand with us for complication-free draining and a delicious, nutrient-rich meal to enjoy while J’s body healthily drains the mystery fluid that just needs to go where it’s supposed to be (God knows if it should be absorbed or excreted).
• This little mama can find some sleep later today.

I’m going to write another post in the next day or so specific to the prayers needed for others on our floor.

Thank you to Ms. B for the flowers and food!

Afternoon

NPO means “nil per os” or “nothing by mouth.”

J remained NPO through the afternoon, waiting to be called to radiology for the draining procedure. Around 4 pm — 33 hours after his last meal — radiology arrived to have J read and sign all the waivers signed and explain the process and answer questions for the procedure that would happen…tomorrow afternoon. Not. Kidding.

J: So can I eat before that?

Russel from Radiology (RR): Absolutely!

J: Starting when?

RR: Now. Till midnight. Then you need to not eat anything.

J: [presses nurse call button to get food STAT]

I won’t go into our sitcom-level mission in search of food, but it included me ransacking the gift shop for dairy-free chips. Three bags of chips and a Pop Tart were added to the Raisin Bran and Cheerios that he saved from yesterday when he got cut off.

Nurse Turi was able to order a mini-meal of chicken, rice, green beans, and a DF vanilla shake.

Evening

Honestly, I think J was so hungry because we walked about 5 laps on the floor today. I was grateful to see him moving. We talked about all the food he’s going to eat when he gets released. He made mental notes for protein and talked snacks like he was a gourmet snack chef (is there such a thing?). I think the walking got his metabolism going and made him that much more ravenous. But really, he was NPO for 3 weeks, then given 36 hours of food and then told: PSYCH, NPO!! Cruel joke.

I left right about 8 pm as A returned from her workday. I’m grateful for a solid night’s sleep going into tomorrow.

Praise:

• For the walking that builds muscle and brings quality movement to all the innards that are starting to wake up after surgery
• Talking. J was much more alert today and chatty like crazy. I didn’t do much, just listened. It was mostly about sports, scripture, and food. Just talking bout whatever was on the TV really.

Prayer:

• That there’s an unexpected opening in Radiology in the morning and the procedure can be moved up so he can eat eat eat to his heart’s content!
• J very specifically identified this prayer request: that the abscess measurable drains completely before he is discharged. They said it’s possible for him to be discharged with it and come back in a couple weeks. Bless the Lord that he can cause water to flow from a rock and turn it off again. He can drain it!
• That the fluid drainage relieves pressure for the other unknown fluid to go where it’s supposed to (out or reabsorbed).
• That weaning down off of pain medications is done efficiently and completely with no long-term impact to.
• laughing. This sounds silly, but in the same way I’m grateful for the talking today, a laughing increase is necessary. These days have been grim. and it’s time to usher in some smiles and laughs. A merry heart does do the body good like medicine. Laughter can improve circulation, and stimulate drainage, and just lift your mood. Prayers up for grins, smiles, and belly laughs…

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A Note to the Family