I am doing well

Jürgen does such a good job keeping up with the blog, but it was my turn to thank each of you for you love and concern. I appreciate each of you so much. I am feeling better. I slept well last night. I plan to walk very soon this morning. Pain management is much better.

Thanks again for caring about me.

Judy

The weekend update

Last night, after finally getting done with everything related to the Steelhead 70.3 triathlon for which I was the Head Referee (with a fabulous crew!), I called Judy one final time for the day. Progress has been slow, but there is progress, and from talking to Candice there's much more positive than negative. For the first time after surgery, Judy sat up yesterday and even walked to the door, pretty much exhausting her. The pain management seems to be better, too, with those spasm/cramp-like pains having been targeted by some sort of muscle relaxant. She still has a catheter because using a bed pan would not work too well yet, but let's hope that this will go in the next day or two as she progresses. The NG tube is still in place as the bowels haven't totally awakened yet.

Judy sounded tired but OK. We talked several times yesterday, and obviously we can't wait for me to get back to Lubbock late this afternoon. Her friend Lorane made it in from NM, which was a happy surprise for Judy as Lorane was not going to arrive until Sunday.

I haven't spoken to Judy this morning yet—the fact that Candi has turned off her cell phone (it's about 8:00 a.m.) is IMO a good sign since that the two are getting solid rest. After the last few days of little sleep, I, too, was able to get a healthy dose of zzzzs last night, and my final drive from Portage, IN (where I spent the night) to the O'Hare airport shouldn't be too bad.

More when I have another update.

Jürgen

Judy on the mend

A quick Friday morning update: Judy had some early problems last night with pain management but seems to be fairing much better now. I just talked to Candice, who spent the night with her in the hospital, and I talked to Judy as well, who sounded really good. Judy's output through the NG tube is minimal, which would indicate that "stuff" moves through her bowels. She's allowed to have some ice chips--little things, but they all make things look positive. Let's hope that by the time I get back to Lubbock on Sunday she's off the tube and her bowels have started to take over.

Jürgen

Surgery appears to be successful!

I just got the word from Judy's sis-in-law that it appears that this afternoon's surgery was successful! Candice (in the above photo with Judy pre-op) said that Judy was for about 2 to 2 1/2 hours in surgery this afternoon. According to her surgeon and oncologist, Dr. Phillips, there were various "adhesions" and scar tissue in the area of her small intestine. According to what I was told, Dr. Phillips bypassed some of these sections of bowel, deciding to keep them in place to help in the absorption of nutrition but also making it possible for digesting materials to pass through. I haven't seen the diagram that he drew, nor am I totally sure what exactly he did, but one thing is for sure: Judy apparently didn't lose too much blood (he didn't mention a transfusion), she is NOT in ICU but will return to her room, the doc said that she appeared to fare well during surgery, and probably one of the most dreaded things didn't happen: She will no wake up with a colostomy bag. That possibility was brought to the forefront yesterday when she signed her consent forms. So no, NO colostomy!

I am updating the blog from the Admiral's club in DFW, on the way to Chicago. Let me plug American Airlines really, really big here: The staff in Lubbock refunded Judy's ticket not only for today but also for the trip to Seattle in two weeks, without the customary fees! And not only that, they changed my return from Chicago from Monday to Sunday, no fees or hassles. I tell you, that's customer service, and that's why we've been flying this airline for more than 25 years! In a time of such great stress they did everything they could to minimize our troubles. Thanks, AA!

And thanks to Candice and Becky O., who made me feel comfortable today while waiting with Judy in the hospital for her to be wheeled into the OR. I can't express how much I appreciate their understanding and support and help.

I may or may not update once again tonight, once I get to the hotel in Chicago. To all of Judy's friends and supporters out there: Please send whatever it is that you are good at sending--thoughts, prayers, vibes, mainly love.

Jürgen

Surgery on Thursday

We just got the word that Judy will undergo exploratory surgery to remove possible adhesions in the small intestine. Dr. Phillips will do the surgery, most likely late in the afternoon since there are several more scheduled surgeries ahead of her.

Please keep Judy in your thoughts and prayers and wish her an "easy" surgery tomorrow and a quick recovery.

I will try to post updates when possible.

Jürgen

Up and down, obstructed and not, surgery or go home?

Those are the questions that keep swirling. The past few days have brought with them positives and negatives, and we're still in limbo in regard to what will happen.

As of this morning, Dr. Phillips still held out hope that the bowel obstruction (which on Sunday appeared to have been resolved but which then re-appeared and was confirmed by some major scans yesterday) will dissipate. However, he also made clear that if surgery were needed (which he really is not keen on), he will be able to do so pretty much at a moment's notice. By Friday morning, it seems, we should know which direction we are heading.

This morning, Judy's NG tube was clamped off to see how she would fare. She's walked around, and we're hoping that the bowels will show more activity than just the faint gurgling that has been detected.

The fact that I have to leave town tomorrow to be the Head Referee for the Steelhead 70.3 Ironman triathlon in benton Harbor, MI, is not helping. However, if it does come to surgery, Judy's sister-in-law Candice will come to Lubbock on short notice. At least I'll be back on Monday.... Let's hope for the best. Maybe surgery will not be needed, after all, and Judy can go home this weekend.

I will update the blog as needed, of course.

Jürgen

Still hospitalized, but things are improving

After a long weekend at Covenant, Judy is starting to feel better. The very good news is that the bowel obstruction, according to the last scan, has dissipated and surgery no longer appears on the radar—we had been really worried about that prospect. The NG tube, which removes all that nasty, green slimy stuff that forms in the stomach and that later gets passed on to the intestines, apparently did the trick, as did her being on an IV and not receiving any food.

Dr. Phillips came through this morning, and he appears satisfied. Tomorrow's scheduled chemo will be postponed by a week. The immediate prospect calls for removal of the NG tube today (Monday) and then getting her back to using solid foods. She may be released from the hospital on Tuesday, but I think it will more likely be Wednesday.

Judy's spirits remain positive and up-beat, but of course there were a few bummed-out moments. I know she's ready to come home, but with her the big danger is always that she overdoes things. And since I will be traveling to Michigan this weekend by myself, there won't be anyone to make sure that she rests and takes it easy. Well, maybe for once she will be a good patient!

Jürgen