Monday, August 1, 2011

A Trip to the ER

Yes I said ER! I have not been up to posting much the last few days since second round of chemo on Wednesday the 27th. I was a bit more prepared for the "normal" chemo side effects this go around. Long story short I have been rather miserable with abdominal pain yesterday and nausea (Sunday) and did what any good patient does, I called the on call Dr. and took their advice. Needless to say my symptoms did not improve. So a trip to the ER was in order. I arrived late in the afternoon around 5:30pm to the ER. After getting the nausea to subside and pain under control the decision was made for a CT scan of the pelvic/abdominal area. I also was told that I had acute pancreatitis & low K (potassium). This also contributed to my severe abdominal pain and throwing up issues. We had to wait for CT results...a frustrating feeling. In the midst of waiting I was thankful to be in a hospital somewhat comfy and cared for. I definitely felt the Peace of Christ. The nurses were great and were very compassionate towards me and my circumstances. It's not easy trying to figure out what is wrong with a person on"normal" terms. As we have learned chemo changes the playing field of all so-called normal triage protocol. Doctors have another level of caution over their decision making when chemotherapy is involved. To be brief on the CT results...since I have had a colenectomy (bowel resection) the possibility of the anastomosis (connection site) of the bowels can have complications. The CT scan showed that the connection site is measuring 15 mm and the two sides connecting on it measure 4 cm. Needless to say their is a blockage/constriction point. The GI system cannot move forward properly as it is. At least this is an answer to some of the pain and discomfort I have been experiencing! The question at the ER was what do we do about this. We determined this is up to the GI specialist and my surgeon. At first they were going to let me go home...then they wanted to keep me overnight. But I think my smile persuaded the ER Dr. to let me go home. I was able to down some potassium pills (huge horse pills) and keep them down. So they let me come home around 12:30 am we left the ER. I am super thankful Daniel took me to the ER. At least now we know what is going on inside my GI system. We would not know this information other than a CT or doing surgery again. Currently I am waiting for the GI specialist to call me back so I can go see them. In the mean time I'm on clear liquids...and hungry! There is a procedure the GI specialist can do to help open the anastomosis site...we are praying this can be done quickly and with out complications. Thank you again for prayers. I will try to keep posting as new information is available. My parents are staying a bit longer to help out with Dustin and the house. So thankful! One day at a time...

A portion from the Message: Matthew 6
If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers most of which are never seen don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I am trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God initiative, God provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met. Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

It's About Time

Christmas 2022 Luehrs Family This past year has been filled with many planned activities and some of them were a surprise. Once again our fa...