Mom's update: Post-Op Appointment

Today, Mom had her post-op doctor appointment.  We were anxiously awaiting to hear the pathology report.  However, since there is bone, the doctor said it takes longer for them to process the bone for the lab results.  We expect the report may be in by the end of the week.  As for the doctor's comments, he said, "You look pretty darn good for what you went through one week ago!"  So, he was very pleased with her recovery.  He said he was pretty sure she would not have to have any chemo or radiation, and would like to see her in three weeks for a check-up.

We are praising the Lord for how she has recovered so well from the surgery! God has certainly answered our prayers so far.  We are asking you continue to pray for her complete healing in her mouth.  There is much healing that needs to be done yet.  She probably has about 3 weeks of good healing time left for that wound to close up.  Mom is taking minimal pain medication.  Actually, she's just taking Tylenol now instead of the Vicodin.

This has certainly been a most special time for Keith and especially me.  I have so enjoyed being a help to Mom and having her and Dad here while she recovers from her surgery.  I do think it was a good idea for them to be here; it helped her get more rest when she didn't feel good.   Even though her body is frail, she is such a strong woman; she just amazes me! They will be heading home tomorrow.  There will certainly be a very quiet and empty house when they leave.  :(

Please continue to pray for Dad's salvation.  There were a few times when we would get our meal, such as at breakfast, Mom and I would be sitting down already having coffee and he'd bring his cereal to the table and hold out his hands to pray with us.  He also did that with Keith one day when they were eating together.  Little as it seems, the Lord could use this time in Dad's life as well as Mom's.  Just keep him in your prayers.  Never give up.

Friday and Saturday morning

Mom has been doing quite good with the recovery of her surgery.  We think she hit a brick wall, so to speak, on Thursday, because the steroids are wearing off from Monday.  She was feeling better yesterday, though.  The only issue she had was her ankles were swollen.  The doctor said he thought it was more an "overall health" issue and should be treated by her Primary Care Physician.  Since Mom has never been bothered with swelling of her ankles, we both were wondering if it could be due to the Vicodin.  I'm so proud of her, and that she's taking that just when she needs it.

This morning, after breakfast, she got dizzy, and went and laid down in bed. Unfortunately, that is one of the side effects of Vicodin.  So, she said she's going to just try to cut down on it and see if that helps. 

We are all thankful the Lord has answered prayer in that her recovery has been going good for her.  On Monday, she'll get her pathology report and also find out how things are looking from the doctor.

Also, this morning, she was surprised to receive a vase of beautiful flowers from her home church, Cornerstone Baptist Church.  Thank you, Pastor Jim and church family for all the lovely flowers and prayers for Mom.

Wednesday and Thursday

Wednesday:

Mom woke up pretty well rested and with quite a lot of energy.  She noted that her mouth felt a little swollen, and took a pain med.  After we ate breakfast, she and I worked on a little project for Keith.  We were able to get that finished, and then had some lunch.  In the afternoon, we went outdoors to sit in the sunshine.  I got out my pruners and she started in pulling weeds!  I told her I thought she had better watch out not to overdo it.  She hasn't been taking her pain medication, only about every 6-8 hours...or when it starts to bothers her.  Keith had arrived home from school and we ate some dinner after he and Dad worked on the lawn mower.  Mom and Dad went to bed around 10:00 and seemed to have a good night.

Thursday:

Mom and Dad slept in until 7:45 today.  When Mom came out into the kitchen, she said her face was swollen again.  To me, it looked even more swollen than yesterday.  With that, I thought it wouldn't hurt to give her doctor's office a call to just check.  The nurse returned the call by mid-morning and said, it will do that as she had been given steroids during surgery to keep the swelling down.  It's starting to wear off now, so she may experience some more swelling.  She will be going into her post-op appointment on Monday afternoon.

This morning, Dad watched his TV show, Matlock, and Mom worked on another little project to help Keith out, while I worked on yet another project of sorts for Keith.  She finished her project and had a little lunch and now is taking a nap.  I just wonder if she felt so good yesterday and the previous day because of the steroids.  Today, she seems to not feel as good as yesterday, most likely from overdoing things.

I just want to share that Keith and I would appreciate your prayers for us as well, for an unspoken request.  We SO appreciate all the prayers for Mom and Dad.  Today, I noticed that when Dad got his sandwich for lunch, he sat down at the table where Mom and I were already sitting and he put out his hands to pray.  God just may be starting to work on his heart.  We sure keep praying that way.

Update on Mom...

The doctor was in around 6:30 a.m. to visit Mom.  He said she was doing good and could be discharged.  At 1:00, I went to pick her up, and she was back to her spunky self.  I was amazed how she was doing.  She had such a positive experience at the Lacks Center.  When she got ready to leave, she told her nurse, if she ever had to go back there, she wanted the same room!  haha!!!  She also asked her if some of the nurses that she had could come in for a picture.  These are the awesome ladies that helped care for Mom. 

As for her medication, she's been taking her Vicodin only when she needed it.  So far, she only took one pill around three o'clock.  Thankfully, the Lord has answered our prayers and the pain has just been minimal.  It will take her three to four weeks to heal.  She will stay with us at least until she has her post-op doctor appointment on Monday, May 21.

Yesterday was a hard day physically for my Dad.  He's been recuperating today as I've been his "strict" nurse and making him only eat liquids most of the day.  Poor guy, he's hungry, but he knows it's best for him for now.  We were able to get him some over-the-counter medicine and he seems to be doing much better this evening.  Hopefully, he'll be able to return to a more normal diet tomorrow.

Thanks to our wonderful friends and family for upholding her in prayer.  We have certainly appreciated them. 

Update on Mom's Surgery

Praise the Lord, Mom came through her surgery like a trooper.  She had 3 molars removed along with bone and into the sinus.  The doctor will check her very early tomorrow as to how she's doing and then again later in the morning as to whether or not she'll be released tomorrow.  Dr. said he didn't want to just release her and let her go until she's ready to come to our house.  He said the pathology report would not be ready until the end of the week.  That will tell whether he got it all, etc. 

Thank you for your continued prayers.  She has some time now for recovery.  Pray she'll be able to manage the pain, etc.  The doctor wants to see her in a week.  So, she will most likely spend the week with us until she sees him and he can tell if she's ready to head home. 

Would also appreciate prayers for my Dad.  He's been quite upset about all this and today it took a toll on his body.  He didn't eat or drink much today and just pray he'll feel better once she's back to our house to begin her recovery. 

The Lord is Our Strength...

Today is the day that Mom has her surgery.  It will be 3:00 at St. Marys Hospital in Grand Rapids.  We will be heading to the hospital around 1:00, and will certainly appreciate prayers.  After celebrating Mother's Day yesterday with my neighbor friend, Ilene, Mom is in good spirits today.  She's looking forward to getting through this and on her recovery. 

We just can't thank you all enough for keeping us in your prayers.  (Thanks to whoever prayed for me last night to get rest.  I was up twice in the night and feel right back to sleep, which is very unusual for me!)

We shall keep you posted when we hear anything.  In the meantime, your thoughts and prayers are giving us all the strength to get through this.  "The Lord is my strength and my refuge...."

Update on Mom

Last Friday, Mom had her doctor appointment (yes, another appointment, with yet another doctor!) here in Grand Rapids.  She met with an Ear Nose Throat Specialist who will be doing her surgery.  He said he would extract two teeth, plus the bone the teeth are attached to, which will in turn leave an opening to her sinus cavity.  There will be no reconstructive surgery; things will hopefully heal all on their own.  As you can imagine, it will be painful for some time.  They will give her some medicine to manage that.  Her surgery is scheduled for late Monday, May 14.  This will be an out patient surgery with an overnight stay.  They want her to stay for observation and make sure she's doing good before leaving.  After the surgery, she is coming to our house to stay for at least a week, depending on how well she's feeling etc. to return home.  We'll play it by ear to make sure things are going okay before she returns to Ludington. 

Please pray for the doctor to have wisdom as to how much bone around the area of the two teeth needs to be removed, and that he will be able to remove the whole tumor without any other complications such as infection.  Also, pray for quick healing and recovery for her...and the pain to be minimal. 

In times like this, I don't know how people that don't have the Lord in their life handles these situations.  I am so grateful for you, my family and friends, who are upholding our family in prayer.  Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.  God is the Great Physician and Healer, in Him we will trust.