Surgery Scheduled

Met with Dr. Bemer today. He answered all my questions but left me a bit confused with his comments. He was very surprised that the results of the colonoscopy did not show anything impressive. He said that with the results of that colonoscopy he must conclude that all the inflammation was caused by the appendix being infected. However, he also said that he is still not 100% convinced that there is not another problem. He ordered blood work, which I will have drawn at my family Dr.s office tomorrow, to see if the indicators of inflammation are still decreasing. If they are not, there is another test he wants to run.

After a lot of questioning he did say that he can not force me to have an appendectomy, and that I CAN choose to just wait to see if I have another emergent infection. He also pointed out that the chances are 20% that it will become infected again. He thinks that is a high likelihood of recurrence and that is good reason to just go ahead and take care of it. But, if you think about it, that is also 4/5 chance that it will not. I went ahead and scheduled an appendectomy for 8/19 in the outpatient surgery center. Honestly, I am still thinking about cancelling and waiting it out to see what will happen.

AWESOME NEWS!

Dr. Bemer said that the colonoscopy showed no signs of Crohns Disease! There was nothing unusual but some infection caused by the appendix. It appears Dr. Scott's original diagnosis of an appendicitis was accurate and I will be going in for an appendectomy in about 8 weeks. I have no idea why I have to wait 8 weeks but hey, this will be a piece of cake!

I will be taking 875 mg of antibiotics twice a day for 2 weeks then meet with Dr. Bemer to schedule the appendectomy.

Thank you all for your love, concern, and prayers!

I'm Home

Released from the hospital today.

Surgeon's office will call tomorrow with instructions and dates for colonoscopy.

On the way home from the hospital Don took me to Applebee's. We shared a Triple Chocolate Meltdown for my birthday cake. YUM!

Crazy Few Days

I was so excited about my sister having her first baby and about getting to keep my 10-year-old nephew that I continued to power through some increasingly painful stomach symptoms. Toni gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Lynnli Jane - picture in previous post, on Thursday 6/23. That evening and the next morning I was still making excuses in my head for the now severe pain in my abdomen. When I took Gage to the hospital Thursday night to see his baby sister for the last time that day I had to confess to him that my stomach was hurting when I walk and ask him to walk slower with me. Being the wonderful little gentleman he is, he happily shuffled slowly into the hospital with me. By the time we left the hospital I could barely bare the pain of standing up or walking.

Friday morning I took Gage back to the hospital where we joyously took turns holding his beautiful baby sister then we walked over to McDonald's to have lunch together then back for more baby holding. Gage is going to be a terrific big brother - he is so proud of Lynnli and loves her so much.

We left Gage with his parents and Don took me to the Dr. office for my 3:10 'work in' appointment. We finally saw Dr. Scott about 4:15. Things started moving quickly and I had blood and urine tests and a CT scan. The radiologist read the CT scan and Dr. Scott was sending me to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy by 4:30.

To shorten the story a bit I will just say that what should have been a quick surgery and easy solution to my problem became a bit more confusing. During the surgery the surgeon found that my appendix was not the only organ swollen - all my organs were inflamed. He left my appendix in and closed the incisions. They are in the process of trying to find out what is going on. The Dr. thinks it is colon related. Blood tests show a strong white blood count - which ruled out cancer. THANK YOU JESUS!

I have been on two different types of IV Antibiotics and a steroid since Friday night. Last night I FINALLY got to have some clear liquid to eat. That went OK so this morning they let me eat real food for breakfast. Swelling and pain are much improved and I am feeling better than I have for weeks.

The plan for today is to see how my body responds to the food I am eating. I MAY get to go home this evening (which would be great since it is my birthday!). Unfortunately I will have to come back Monday or Tuesday for a colonoscopy. The surgeon said last night that he is thinking I may have Crohn's Disease. I was hoping for a more short-term problem but if it is Crohn's Disease it is something that can be managed many times with diet and medicine.

Please pray for my Dr.s that they will have the wisdom they need to make a correct diagnosis.

Lynnli Jane Storm has arrived!

Look at this beautiful baby! She's my niece, Lynnli Jane Storm. She was born this afternoon and weighed 7 1/2 lbs and was 18 1/2 inches long.

Her mom, my sister Toni, had to have a C-section but both mom and baby and doing great!

We are now at home watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 with Lynnli's proud big brother, Gage. Gage can't wait until after breakfast tomorrow morning so he can go hold his baby sister some more. Today we went shopping and he got a cap that says "Big Brother" and a shirt that says "I love my baby sister". Awesome kid!

IT'S ALMOST HERE!

I can't believe after all these years and all this hard work I am actually graduating in 6 days! To say I'm excited would be an understatement.

There were a couple of really rough months that left me doubting my career choice and myself. But the Lord gave me strength I've never had before and helped me grow in wonderful ways. What a blessing to look back and see how He was there for me. Giving me the strength and ability to make changes. He was shaping me and changing me into a better person and teacher, and he used a wonderful Christian teacher to guide me through.

He also helped me to see and appreciate what a wonderful husband he has blessed me with. Don has remained consistently loving and supportive through the hardships and trials and he always celebrates my success with pride and enthusiasm. Who could ask for anything more?

We will be having a cookout on Saturday May 14th beginning at 1 PM. Come on over and celebrate with us! If you need directions or additional information you can call or text me at 316-633-1923.

PRAYERS NEEDED

My Sister-in-law's dad, Kent Radcliff, owns a ranch near Dexter and was burning pasture when he fell off the back of a truck. He has broken all his ribs on one side, his clavicle, and his collar bone. They may have to put a steel plate in to keep his ribs from puncturing his lungs. They life-watched him to Wesley where he is in ICU.

I believe Kent is around 70 years old, plus he has sugar diabetes, so I'm sure he would appreciate your prayers for a quick and complete recovery from his injuries. Also, please pray for my SIL, Noel, her mom, Paula, and Kent's sons.