Mark and I visited with the Gastro doctor that took care of my gall bladder problems and directed the shunt insert procedure. He showed us scans from the procedure and explained that the passages my body needs to drain bile are very narrowed, and they may not ever effectively perform their function, even with the shunt. He also told us that if I start to have problems with Jaundice in my liver (not just in the bile ducts), there won’t be anything they can do and it would be bad. I have an appointment in September to replace the shunt in the duct, which will need to be done on a regular basis.
We also have an appointment next Thursday to visit Dr. Sutton in Indianapolis, who was recommended by my OB-GYN doc. Dr. Sutton specializes in OB-GYN Oncology, and he’s already received my records to review, but this is the earliest we could see him. More cancer cells were found during the procedure I had done at Parkview last week, so he’ll be working with my Fort Wayne docs to determine a treatment that would help us. We don’t know any details about this diagnosis yet, including the stage or severity of the problem.
These two new occurrences have knocked both Mark and me back quite a bit. Today’s appointment with the gastro doctor was not encouraging. We don’t have solid answers or information yet, but the potential for seriousness is very high. I’m also in more pain every day, so we’re going to start using the 24-hour pain patches again to keep this under control.
On a much happier note, I’m taking tomorrow afternoon off to take our girls, their friends, and my sister-in-law and her kids swimming! They’ll all finish a week of Vacation Bible School, and they deserve a reward. I’ll also be going to church camp at Lake James from Sunday-Wednesday with Savannah, and I’m really looking forward to the time and 24-hour lake/worship access with her. I plan to attend camp with Shelby, too, in late July. I also went last year with both of them, and this has been one of the greatest times we’ve had to bond together.
Please keep praying for strength and hope.
Sandy
Sandy – thanks for the update. Sorry about the news. You are and will continue to be in our prayers!!! Have fun tomorrow and enjoy camps!!!
Sandy:
You are so brave and strong!
I check your website regularly for your updates. You and your family are in my daily thoughts and prayers. I will continue praying for you and your family that God gives you strength, guidance, peace, understanding, and helps control the pain.
Your journey has been so difficult the past few years, but you have been an amazing example to more people than you know. God does not promise us an easy life, but he does promise that He will always be with us. You are illustrating to your family, friends, neighbors, and strangers the power of His promises.
Thank you for making the wonderful memories you are with your family. They will ALWAYS be so proud of you and know that even though life is not “fair” it is full of love, hope, and Grace.
Blessings to you, your family, and your medical teams.
Stephanie Gray