Jan. 31, 2008
Yet in Pain
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Bummer! We wanted this done all in 2007.... yikes....
Hey- I'm looking for Dr. info.
It looks like we'll need to be heading to a specialist... I'm guessing Gastroenterology....
Hubbie is not yet feeling good... pain even yet.... we toyed w/ going to the ER on Friday :( but thankfully avoided it.... Monday we'll see his surgeon... but this seems to be outside the surgeon window. He's drinking lots of water and leaning toward a liquid diet... and struggling...
Anybody have Dr. recommendations??? (We're trying to check out the locals!!)
Thanks, ss
Oct. 7, 2007
GSMC D7 JAIL BREAK!!!!
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Well this morning things have continued to progress quickly...
This is a photo of the man who saved my life and then put me back together. I salute him, he has a hard job...
Today my doctor has told me that if I can keep regular food down without any problems then he would go ahead and release me to the wild.
I am currently having a healthy helping of chicken cordon blue.... yummm. My first real meal since last Saturday.
Ice chip diet... I am not sure how much weight I have lost so once I get to a scale I will have to post on that tidbit. I would not recommend it in place of Adkin's or Weight Watchers. But it definitely has some benefits... Stephanie thinks I look pretty hot and I no longer snore.
I still hurt but I guess that is to be expected. Doc has said I can not drive for a week and no basketball, soccer, volleyball, raquetball, full contact football, rodeo riding, bumpercars, skydiving, water skiing, snorkeling so I will try to have patience as I heal. He said that I must not forget that I am not well yet and he actually prescribed a nap in the afternoons until the staples come out in a week.
Well for now I will let you move on to your next order of business.
Pray that I will stop having pains through my shoulders and upper back, my back is having to compensate for having the cuts through my six pack abs... NOT. Actually I can't tell if I have any abs left it is all kind of contorted and has zippers all over my gut. I guess that is enough of a picture to paint.
Free! KjS
Oct. 6, 2007
GSMC D6 Canasta
Posted in Emergency Surgery
I'm beating Hubbie in Canasta... 3010 to 1600.... I'll have to meld 120 and he moved up from a meld of 15 to 90. I played canasta with my Memom Gillespie growing up... I remember playing with all my girlfriends too in the back of the station wagon!! Many moons ago.
Praise the Girls & Grands are home.... Love Bug rang the cow bell atop the rock wall but Ladybug could not reach it!! They visited w/ Uncle Terry & Aunt Shelly & cousins & enjoyed swimming & pizza too.... and crashed into bed at 10!!! Sleepy Girls!! Sleepy Grands, I bet!!!
Hubbie is making progress... clear liquids (broth, juices & an icee) yesterday... full liquids today (soups, puddings, ice cream & a milkshake)... and the Dr. said maybe food on Sunday.
Pray we rest in God's timing for the duration of the stay. Hubbie is getting eager to go. Pray he has no leeks & that the staples hold tight. Pray for James our neighbor in the room across the hall, he's 66 & struggled with setbacks & discouragement & family's not stayed to support.
We are yet here... it has been quiet... Ben & Carol your visits have been wonderful!!! Thanks be to the Grands so I can be all here. Hello to the Ohioites!!!! Glad to have you praying!! Mum hope you get caught up here... My scarf is long enough & needs finishing!!! ss
Oct. 6, 2007
GSMC D6 China & Japan
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Walking & walking! That's Hubbie's ticket out. He's yet on clear liquids and we hope to get an upgrade when the Dr. makes his rounds. I think he's tired of being here.... and I hope to get a game plan with the Dr. to see what schedule we are on.
China.... Tomorrow we have a team of FBCers heading to China. We've made laps praying for their safety, good travel, God guide the details... Open blind eyes & close seeing eyes... Join us praying for this China team.
Japan.... Wow! We have a hit from the far seas.... Japan!! Ken is a pilot w/ AA and he hit our site!!! Pray for Ken & Cherry as in November Ken is up for surgery to remove both kidneys.... and pray a match for his transplant.
Camping Out!!
Prayer: Continued recovery, encouragement, peace as we wait on God. China close seeing eyes & open blind eyes. Ken pray for his kidney removal & pray a transplant. Girls & Grands safety on the road today, rock climbing & swimming... good attitudes & a great visit w/ family. Pray they'd be a joy.
Oct. 5, 2007
GSMC D5 Icee
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Yea!! He got the upgrade to fluids.... and was thrilled with his Coke Icee!!! Praise Praise Praise!!! We are so encouraged & God has truly answerd prayer!!! He enjoyed broth on his first meal tray this evening and has a green tea at his side. This is a huge milestone!!!
He has walked and walked and walked!!!! A shower helped start the day!! He's also enjoying watching movies!! Last night was Red October and today was MacGyver.... my vote is for Anne of Green Gables.... Does anyone have that on DVD?? Want to bring it up on Saturday??? :) We're up to welcoming your visit!!! We are on day 5 here and yet expect 7-10 days here.....
Prayer Matters: Maintain walking, chest pains subside, no leeks & endurance. Pray for safety as Girls & Grands head to Dallas to visit family & rock climb.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58 (Pastor Jim had a worship song of this verse... it would be a great MP3 to have on hand!!!) ss
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Well I am still among the living...
I don't feel very good but they keep telling me I need to walk and sit up so I am sitting here typing an e-mail.
I would like to fast forward a couple of weeks but I guess I must endure. I tried to hit the network to look at our drawings but that was not to be. Something is keeping me from getting on to the network. Once I feel better I will have to talk with Kevin and see if he can help me.
I lost a day of recovery because they told me to use my morphine button when I had pain. Now I just kind of try to ride out the pain and endure it. I figure better to endure the pain than to use the meds and not be able to get up and walk because I am too loopy.
You probably don't want to know what my next progress marker is I will let you know after I pass it...
KjS
Oct. 4, 2007
GSMC D4 Blooming
Posted in Emergency Surgery
After a rough morning, Hubbie got up and walked with his mom & dad. They were a great encouragement. We traded spots for a good part of the day!
This morning I struggled and when tears came.... It was time to trade with the Grands. The girls and I picked up CFA & Dudleys and headed home to enjoy lunch together! I love being with them & missed it.... as I got cleaned up at home I could not rush to skate... We enjoyed the time just taking it easy!! Thanks to Laura for keeping them a bit!! My good news today was no D&C. Praise!
When we got back to the hospital... our room was blooming... flowers on our hardest day.... Wow!! Thank you!!! They are beautiful.... I'm so encouraged.... God's timing is so good. We've walked many rounds tonight!
Praying for rest. Pray his abdominal cavity wakes up & no bloating. Pray he can walk with the girls on Friday. Praising God because He goes before us on the hard days!!! G'nite. ss
Oct. 4, 2007
GSMC D4 Hard
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Yet pray. The day has been hard... He's been dizzy and very discouraged to not be walking. He was out of bed in a chair and overcome with dizzyness.... he went pale.... and felt horrible.... Pray.... ss
Oct. 4, 2007
GSMC D4 2 Tubes
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Praise, the Dr. came in first thing today. He'll drop 2 tubes and be left with his IV w/ pain meds. We're just waiting for the nurse to come back.
Prayer Matters: Pray for God's encouragement & strength to rise. Pray for a walking day. Pray that he'll keep his ice chips down & not get sick. Pray rest & complete recovery. Pray for a smooth time here so I can get out w/ the girls today & to a dr appt. Pray that he'll feel good for his girls visit.
Yesterday was so hard with the tailspin of discouragement. It really was a set back and we lost a day for the buzz to wear off. He did a little walking and that was great. Yet he sees a day without progress... and that weighs heavy. The girls came by in the evening but he was not feeling good and struggling. His sleep was restless and often disturbed... today rest will be easier after dropping these tubes. I slept to nearly 8 this morning.
Hubbie's agenda is to get up... no sickness... to walk. We're yet in the wait game for his digestion to wake. That takes time and walking. We wait upon the Lord. ss
Oct. 3, 2007
GSMC D3 Walking
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Yea! Up and walking!! And he's feeling better as the buzz wears off! All pain meds are a little scary now. The first walk was down 4 doors. His 2nd walk was a lap. That's huge! Yea! He's even had me call so the girls can come back up tonight!!
Thank you for the prayers! Our walls are feeling homey w/ your greetings (wow) & coloring from the girls! I've laughed at a Congrats on you new Plumbing from Joshua.... and a Happy Birthday from Stefani. Kerry's not laughing... it's too painful! I've enjoyed the blog map.... We see the Bunns in Brazil!!! And who is that in England??? Wow! The effective fervent prayer of the righteous avails much!!! ss
Oct. 3, 2007
GSMC D3 No Morphine
Posted in Emergency Surgery
After 22 hits of Morphine... the Dr. says it's wiped him out and was too much... he's definitely not used to this stuff!! We'll try a new pain med as he sleeps this one off... it is a very hard day and little progress (no tubes dropped).... the only comfort I can give is my presence & a ice chip every now and then.... no reading... no holding his hand.... literally just my presence... and someone just walking in the room made him dizzy... Our girls came up and he did not even feel up to them coming to the room... Tough and I had to bail on lunch w/ them :(
But I did catch the Dr.... I'm Praying..... and very thankful for catching Dr. Cook.
And I'm knitting a confetti scarf that a friend said it would add no warmth!! (Mum this is the project from the yarn sale!!) I started during the surgery and did a foot or so!!! I'm trying to be diligent w/ my time... and hour for reading, another for knitting, another for study.... I've not yet wanted to read the paper I brought... I guess it needs an hour too!!! I think the pc takes more than it's hour!! But maybe it's words for today!!
In our weakness... Jesus Christ is strong! We've had the joy of one of the techs praying with us 2x now!! And another asked if he was a preacher.... he weakly said no but he'd could preach to her!!! Little by little. ss
Oct. 3, 2007
GSMC D3 Fire Alarm
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Good Morning! We've started our morning hospital early... It is 5:40 and for an hour they've been testing the fire alarm.... It's yet dark & we've been in Isaiah 40 because He gives strength to the weak.
Hubbie is more alert and with that comes pain. He's calling it a 4 on the scale. He's using a pain pump and had like 13 hits. He's not moving yet and there's talk today of getting up... he's already asked for the extra pain help for that. He said it's been a long night.
Prayer matters: Pray he can get up & start to move & drop 2 tubes today. Pray God's comfort in this great discomfort. Pray for his back as he's mentioned that. Pray sweet rest & God's hand in recovery. Pray good nurses & strong help today.
♦ Love Him in the mornin' when you see the sun arising. Love Him in the evening when He's brought you through the day. And in the in between times when you feel the pressure rising... Remember that He loves you and He promises to stay. ss
Oct. 2, 2007
GSMC D2 Filleted
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Just a short time until I get filleted... 
We have been in the hospital since yesterday morning, I have not eaten anything since Saturday night. If you are considering losing weight the ice chip diet seems to work very well
Even as I write this e-mail I am expecting them to bring the last three pills any moment. I know two will be antibiotics nd then comes the viagra... oops I meant valium.
Last night was rough... they gave me a gallon of stuff I had to drink... the only comparison I can give is if you remember the commercial that the little scrub bubbles that clean up the bathroom like Mr. Clean with his Lysol.
If you want to keep posted on what is going, my wife is posting on her blog a report as the days pass...
http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/. If you visit the blog it tells us that you visited... we have had visits from England and looks like Salt Lake City and all over so far. Jump on and get your location logged. I will not be doing much writing or reporting on matters.
My surgery is scheduled for 1pm and is supposed to last for 2 or so hours... Your continued prayers would be appreciated.
Oops there is the nurse... got to go!
Regards, KjS
Oct. 2, 2007
GSMC D2 Pre-Op
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Just hours to go... Surgery is at 1 and we expect it to be about 2 hrs. Thanks for your continued prayers.
The Girls & Grands came by last night. We have coloring all on the walls :) Lady bug beat me in a game of battle! Guess who always wins??!!! Lovebug brought her puppy to companion daddy.
Last night Hubbie finished the gallon around 10:30. The night was filled w/ yet more pre-op stuff. We slept a little between 12 & 4 and he's been able to rest this morning.... We watched a bit of Dr. Dolittle w/ Rex Harrison!! I won a game of canasta and he went negative thinking he could make a canasta in his 4 red 3's!! He only has to meld for 15 next round!! And he's not yet willing to play again...
9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12
Posted in Emergency Surgery
We moved out of our familiar corner!!! We're now in 1459!! I'm sooooo thankful to be in a larger room off of the hot west window!!!! God is going before us!!
Prayer Hubbie has a gallon of stuff to drink b4 midnight... pray his strength & to drink this stuff.... His IV is in it took the 3rd stick! Oh! God yet goes b4 us!! ss
Posted in Emergency Surgery
We're in..... our same corner and it seems weird... God has gone before us... His grace is sufficient... In our weakness He is strong... We've moved in & will camp here for a bit! By His grace! ss
We'd love to hear from you.... https://www.gsmc.org/sendto.asp?
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Round #2 is planned! We're praying no surprises this round.
Hubbie is scheduled for surgery Tuesday @ 1:30p, that's 10/2. He'll checkinto GSMC Monday morning. This is a resection on his colon to eliminate thecolostomy. Yea!
Pray for wisdom & insight for Dr. Cook, his surgeon. Pray for quick healing& no complications. We are expecting 7-10 days in the hospital. Pray for agood visit for Hubbie's parents as they're coming to keep the girls.
I miscarried our little one last week... as of yesterday my body is yet inthat process... My prayer is for complete healing & no D&D. I'll do bloodwork sometime next week. I've been very emotional with this loss. Also myprayer is to walk in faith not fear, I'm finding myself afraid of what willhappen next. God knows and I simply need to trust him.
The Lord Jesus has been our comfort and sustainer. I had found great joyin Psalm 134 as we were so excited for a baby.... and in the loss of thatlittle one I've seen God's great comfort even in Psalm 134..... the darknessis is not dark to Him... and He hems me in behind & before. I've felt hemmedin so tight... but God has be big through all our tears.
Thanks to all for you prayers to our Great Physician!! And your sweet notesof comfort have been a balm to me. Thank you.At GSMC.org you can send a Health-e gram next week as we'll be there for aspell... https://www.gsmc.org/sendto.asp?
I'll hope to write daily of prayer requests & what's going on... and ratherthan an e.... I'll post it at http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/spike/
He Lives! ss
Sep. 24, 2007
8 Days to Surgery
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Well Huble saw Dr. Cook today & his surgery is on the schedule for 1p on Tuesday Oct. 2. He is ready to have this done yet there is wonder if it has been long enough. His emergency surgery was on 7/31…. Pray for peace and God’s clear direction.
Sunday – Fluids Diet
Monday – Check in to Hospital 10a
Tuesday – Surgery 1p to remove the colostomy
7 to 10 days in the hospital!! Recovery up to 6 weeks.
Sep. 14, 2007
Round 2 Getting Ready
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Hubbie saw the Dr and he’s heading into tests to hit his 2nd surgery. He’s eager to end the colostomy and so glad it is temporary. Our compassion goes to those who cannot reverse. We are looking at an October 2nd surgery and another week in the hospital!! His yoke is easy and His burden is light.
Aug. 5, 2007
Day 5 Saturday Going Home Soon
Posted in Emergency Surgery
Jesus is the Great Physician!
Today Hubbie graduated from ice chips to tomato soup, broth, pudding and an
Icee!!!! It has been a banner day! Lots of smiles & laughs & even a
canasta card game!! This a.m. the Dr. even said MAYBE he could get out
tomorrow! Wow!! The end is in sight! Only the IV is holding him down!
Tomorrow he gets a real breakfast!!!
The girls finally got to come back and see daddy! They are enjoying
time with Memom & Aunt Karen!! The wall is filled w/ colorings and
beautiful notes many have sent online at GS. THANKYOU!!!!!
Praise I've found the song God has played over and over in my
ears... strength will rise as wait upon the Lord!! He is the Everlasting
God.... He has been our Strong Deliverer!!! We have had many chances to
share the reason of our hope in Jesus. Even the huge stak of Invitation CDs
my girls collected have been distributed! I'd thought there were way too
many at our home... and God knew they'd be needed thru this hospital stay!!
As we look at the days to come it is overwhelming... work, vacation (the dr
said we could go!!!!), and another surgery on the horrizon... not to
mention the bills for our visit... God is our Strength and Provider! Pray
our eyes stay on HIM and see these detail thru His eyes!! Even as we look 3
months to Hubbie's surgery.... 5 months or so beyond that we have another
hospital stay... as we just found out we are expecting a little Speicher!!
Oh!! All that during this week has truely been a joy in the trial. And yes
another prayer!
Psalm 40:1-3 I waited paitently on the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and
heard my cry. He brought me up also out of the miry clay and set my feet
upon a rock, and established my goings. He put a new song in my mouth, a
hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in
the LORD.
Waiting!
ss
