Another Saturday at Covenant

Here's the update: Nothing much has changed since yesterday. Judy's intestinal system has still not jumpstarted itself, and we're waiting for her small intestines to start doing their work. When Drs. Phillips and Howell made their rounds this morning we discussed the situation, and it seems as if we need to stay patient. The trauma to Judy's bowel system has been much greater than expected, and it takes time to come back.

As the docs were saying, clinically speaking, Judy is doing much better as her vitals will attest. But she still suffers from the nausea, and she threw up twice today. We're hoping that discontinuing one of her antibiotics with which she had some problems earlier in the year will help out.

She is continuing to receive liquid calories that go directly into the bloodstream. Until her bowels wake up there won't be any Steak and Ale. She appears stronger than at any time after the suregery going to the bathroom or, as we did just a few minutes before taking the photo, taking a shower.

Dr. Phillips is still concerned about the possibility of a slight leak around the anastomosis (there, I had to use that word!) the area where her dissected colon was reconnected. Even though the CT scan did not show any leakage, that does not mean that there couldn't be a tiny tear. He brought up the possibility of another scan next week, if necessary, and kept the possibility of follow-up surgery open. That would be a real kick in the groin for us.

But maybe it won't come to that. Maybe things are going to continue their slow path of improvement. We need to keep in mind that this is only the first stage of this long battle--the cancer is still there and it must be eradicated.

Judy wants to tell all of you thanks for the flowers, cards, good wishes, prayers, and evrything else you have sent her way. She has been too groggy to respond herself, but she wants to let you know how much she apprecaites it all.

I appreciate the selfless giving of time from some of our local freinds who have given me a chance to take a few breaks here and there. Today I was able to ride for 33 miles and do some grocery shopping. A little bit of normalcy (even though it's always rushed) is absolutely necessary, and I am thankful for these breaks.

Jürgen