My bili count was 8.0 today - a whopping 2.1 points lower in just 24 hours! Because of this signigficant drop, they did not have to do any adjustments to my stents. The medical team here has a reasonable expectation that my bili count will still drop some more, we'll have to wait and see.
I had a good night. I had to get up twice in the night, and even though I needed David's help, I didn't have to mentally prepare myself for the pain that comes with movement. They are going to keep me here today and watch me and if all goes well, I will be released tomorrow. Then I'll go see Dr. Abrass in Reno after the weekend and determine my next step.
6/30/09
6/29/09
Today's Surgery
First, may I say that the airplane travel to Oakland is the way to go! Soon after we got settled into our cushy leather seats, I told David I thought we were flying kind of low. He said we were landing. It only took about 35 minutes! We felt like we were in very good hands with the Freys. It was so much nicer than driving. We had a Lincoln Continental waiting for us and no traffic, so we actually arrived at the hospital early.
My bili count was 10.1 before the surgery this morning. I went in to surgery at 11:00. I now have three drains instead of two, one on my right side and two on my left side. The new one on the left side is a little sore and cramping but the others feel good with no pain. These new drains have little holes on the inside to help them drain better. They will check these in the morning and see how they are working. If they are not draining very much by morning, they may go back in and make an adjustment. David was watching and thought the old drain was draining a lot, but we'll see what my bili count is tomorrow.
I arrived in my room at 1:50, after just 40 minutes in recovery, where I promptly went to sleep until 5:00. When I woke up I was hungry. They brought me some unidentifiable dinner, but David went out and found some pasta for me that was really good. The hospital brought me some Enlive juices that are 250 calories each that I am going to try to find at home. So now I just wait until 4:30 a.m.when they will come check my bili count.
We really want to thank everyone for fasting and praying for us. This surgery went as well or better than the doctors hoped. David especially feels that one direct blessing from the fasting was that the recovery was not as long or painful as we expected. Thank you so much for helping us through this ordeal and supporting us with your love, fasting, and prayers.
My bili count was 10.1 before the surgery this morning. I went in to surgery at 11:00. I now have three drains instead of two, one on my right side and two on my left side. The new one on the left side is a little sore and cramping but the others feel good with no pain. These new drains have little holes on the inside to help them drain better. They will check these in the morning and see how they are working. If they are not draining very much by morning, they may go back in and make an adjustment. David was watching and thought the old drain was draining a lot, but we'll see what my bili count is tomorrow.
I arrived in my room at 1:50, after just 40 minutes in recovery, where I promptly went to sleep until 5:00. When I woke up I was hungry. They brought me some unidentifiable dinner, but David went out and found some pasta for me that was really good. The hospital brought me some Enlive juices that are 250 calories each that I am going to try to find at home. So now I just wait until 4:30 a.m.when they will come check my bili count.
We really want to thank everyone for fasting and praying for us. This surgery went as well or better than the doctors hoped. David especially feels that one direct blessing from the fasting was that the recovery was not as long or painful as we expected. Thank you so much for helping us through this ordeal and supporting us with your love, fasting, and prayers.
Quick Update
The surgery looks like it was successful - the doctors found a spot in the liver where the bile wasn't draining and there is now a bili tube there! We'll have more info later, but it looks good so far.
6/28/09
Comfort
I made it to church today! I went to Sacrament meeting, which goes from 9:00 - 10:10. At about 9:45 I was worried I wouldn't be able to finish the meeting, but I made it and I hope to be able to go again. I really enjoyed the talks; they were really comforting and it felt like every talk was written just for me. I felt strengthened by being at church. The rest of the day was nice, I got a little nap and then had a visitor. We walked to my mother-in-law's house and sat under the tree and enjoyed the breeze.
I am ready to go to San Francisco. I have been having this odd wake-me-up pain in my ribs and I am hoping the doctors can tell what's wrong with that bili tube. It's not really draining and we think it's blocked, which may be what's causing the pain. I feel peaceful and hopeful about this trip. Maybe a little scared, but not really. I know the doctors will do everything they can and I hope it works. If it doesn't, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Thank you all so much for the fasting and prayers. It has been so humbling and comforting to me to have your support. At this point, we are going on hope and prayers. I know we will get through whatever comes our way.
Surgery is at 9:30 Monday morning. As soon as we're able, we'll get something posted about it.
I am ready to go to San Francisco. I have been having this odd wake-me-up pain in my ribs and I am hoping the doctors can tell what's wrong with that bili tube. It's not really draining and we think it's blocked, which may be what's causing the pain. I feel peaceful and hopeful about this trip. Maybe a little scared, but not really. I know the doctors will do everything they can and I hope it works. If it doesn't, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Thank you all so much for the fasting and prayers. It has been so humbling and comforting to me to have your support. At this point, we are going on hope and prayers. I know we will get through whatever comes our way.
Surgery is at 9:30 Monday morning. As soon as we're able, we'll get something posted about it.
6/27/09
Faith and Prayers
I have been talking to my friends about faith and this is a letter that they wanted to share with you.
Dear Blog Readers,
I’m sure you all feel much like we do as you read this blog every day. We all love Sheri and her family and want to do more. It is a desperate and helpless feeling to watch someone so full of life suffer and be debilitated by sickness. Like you, we have prayed and hoped things would turn around, but we haven’t seen real improvement in Sheri’s condition. It has gotten us thinking about faith and prayer and what we know to be true and what more we can do. As Sheri’s family and friends, we are many religions, but we have noticed one thing we all have in common: we are all praying for her. We’d like to suggest we unite our faith and prayers in a specific way in Sheri’s behalf.
As the Bible teaches in James 2:17, “Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” We all have a lot of faith, and have offered many prayers, but maybe we can combine it with some works. In thinking about faith, there is a passage in the Bible that applies to how we feel about Sheri. In chapter 17 of Matthew, there is a man who comes to Jesus Christ asking Him to heal his son. His son is vexed with a devil. This man has already taken his son to the disciples who could not cure him. After Jesus heals his son and casts out the devil, the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast out the devil. Jesus teaches the disciples about faith: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonderplace; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Then the next verse says, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:20-21)
We invite any of you who would like to join us in fasting and praying for Sheri on Sunday, June 28. There are many things we can pray for, but with her surgery approaching on Monday, I would suggest we pray specifically that Sheri’s surgery be successful so that her bilirubin count will come down and she can start treatment. Fasting is to voluntarily go without food or drink for a certain period of time, such as two meals (breakfast and lunch). You can begin your fast with a prayer, go without food or drink during the time of your fast, then break your fast with a prayer and a meal. When combined with sincere prayer, fasting can give added strength to those in need of blessings. In the Bible, Isaiah also talks about fasting in chapter 58:8, which says in part: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” (Italics added).
We have both fasted and prayed many times and have seen small miracles take place in our own lives. We want so much to help the Faughts in this difficult time. Perhaps her situation is like the family in the book of Matthew that needed fasting as well as prayer. Please join us in this effort on Sunday, before Sheri’s surgery. Thank you for your faith and prayers.
Sincerely,
Anne Hyde and Julie Stockard
Dear Blog Readers,
I’m sure you all feel much like we do as you read this blog every day. We all love Sheri and her family and want to do more. It is a desperate and helpless feeling to watch someone so full of life suffer and be debilitated by sickness. Like you, we have prayed and hoped things would turn around, but we haven’t seen real improvement in Sheri’s condition. It has gotten us thinking about faith and prayer and what we know to be true and what more we can do. As Sheri’s family and friends, we are many religions, but we have noticed one thing we all have in common: we are all praying for her. We’d like to suggest we unite our faith and prayers in a specific way in Sheri’s behalf.
As the Bible teaches in James 2:17, “Even so, faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” We all have a lot of faith, and have offered many prayers, but maybe we can combine it with some works. In thinking about faith, there is a passage in the Bible that applies to how we feel about Sheri. In chapter 17 of Matthew, there is a man who comes to Jesus Christ asking Him to heal his son. His son is vexed with a devil. This man has already taken his son to the disciples who could not cure him. After Jesus heals his son and casts out the devil, the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast out the devil. Jesus teaches the disciples about faith: “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonderplace; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.” Then the next verse says, “Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.” (Matt. 17:20-21)
We invite any of you who would like to join us in fasting and praying for Sheri on Sunday, June 28. There are many things we can pray for, but with her surgery approaching on Monday, I would suggest we pray specifically that Sheri’s surgery be successful so that her bilirubin count will come down and she can start treatment. Fasting is to voluntarily go without food or drink for a certain period of time, such as two meals (breakfast and lunch). You can begin your fast with a prayer, go without food or drink during the time of your fast, then break your fast with a prayer and a meal. When combined with sincere prayer, fasting can give added strength to those in need of blessings. In the Bible, Isaiah also talks about fasting in chapter 58:8, which says in part: “Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.” (Italics added).
We have both fasted and prayed many times and have seen small miracles take place in our own lives. We want so much to help the Faughts in this difficult time. Perhaps her situation is like the family in the book of Matthew that needed fasting as well as prayer. Please join us in this effort on Sunday, before Sheri’s surgery. Thank you for your faith and prayers.
Sincerely,
Anne Hyde and Julie Stockard
6/26/09
Moving Forward
I wish I could say I had a perfect night’s sleep with my new pain patch; but the truth is I spent the night dealing with quite a bit of pain in my left side where the tube is inserted. Every time I moved or got up it sent another wave to remind me it was there. David got up and went to work this morning and I stayed in bed for a while.
Shortly after I decided I had just enough energy to get myself out of bed, my dear friend from Fernley called. I was still in pain and the hard night had made my voice somewhat stressed. She picked right up on that. Without hesitation she jumped in the shower then on the road to get to my side as soon as possible. She played nurse maid tirelessly until 3pm. I know God is watching over me because he has sent me friends such as this.
About noon I started feeling better and ate a good breakfast complete with the required Ensure. I had several visitors throughout the day and felt strong enough to get some more food down in the afternoon. I mixed an Ensure with a supplement David’s Mom found for cancer patients, creating a 600-calorie “power” drink. It wasn’t too bad and seemed to go down pretty well. If I could get three of those concoctions down a day, I would be set!
The call came in from San Francisco. I have a 9:30am appointment on Monday. They feel strongly that the benefits of the additional stent will outweigh the risks of complications. Joe Frey has offered to fly us to Oakland, where a car will be waiting to take me right to the hospital. All I need is a red carpet.
David and I have come to the conclusion that we will hit a wall if we do nothing. Moving forward is our only option. So, we are going to do our part…put our trust in the doctors to do their part…and lean heavily on the Lord to do His part.
Shortly after I decided I had just enough energy to get myself out of bed, my dear friend from Fernley called. I was still in pain and the hard night had made my voice somewhat stressed. She picked right up on that. Without hesitation she jumped in the shower then on the road to get to my side as soon as possible. She played nurse maid tirelessly until 3pm. I know God is watching over me because he has sent me friends such as this.
About noon I started feeling better and ate a good breakfast complete with the required Ensure. I had several visitors throughout the day and felt strong enough to get some more food down in the afternoon. I mixed an Ensure with a supplement David’s Mom found for cancer patients, creating a 600-calorie “power” drink. It wasn’t too bad and seemed to go down pretty well. If I could get three of those concoctions down a day, I would be set!
The call came in from San Francisco. I have a 9:30am appointment on Monday. They feel strongly that the benefits of the additional stent will outweigh the risks of complications. Joe Frey has offered to fly us to Oakland, where a car will be waiting to take me right to the hospital. All I need is a red carpet.
David and I have come to the conclusion that we will hit a wall if we do nothing. Moving forward is our only option. So, we are going to do our part…put our trust in the doctors to do their part…and lean heavily on the Lord to do His part.
6/25/09
Waiting...or Not?
I had my appointment with Dr. Abrass today. He worried the trip had been unnecessary since my bilirubin levels were too high and there is really nothing he can do yet. That left David and I with the question of “What do we do now?” He advised us that I just have to wait. He wanted me to see how things went over the next 3 weeks then call the center in San Francisco. “Wait” was really not what we wanted to hear. He did prescribe the pain patch so I hope that helps me get more comfortable.
We made the trip home pondering the immediate future. Just as we pulled into the garage, I got a call from San Francisco. They had weighed the risks of more procedures against waiting to see if the bilirubin levels will eventually come down. Dr. Warren now recommends action. Despite the high possibility of complications and the pain involved, they want to put in a third stent on Monday. I would be able to come home again on Tuesday if all goes well. I will get a call tomorrow to let me know what time they want me there on Monday.
David and I are now balancing the positives and negatives of proceeding down this path. We have some sincere praying to do and major decisions to make over the weekend.
We made the trip home pondering the immediate future. Just as we pulled into the garage, I got a call from San Francisco. They had weighed the risks of more procedures against waiting to see if the bilirubin levels will eventually come down. Dr. Warren now recommends action. Despite the high possibility of complications and the pain involved, they want to put in a third stent on Monday. I would be able to come home again on Tuesday if all goes well. I will get a call tomorrow to let me know what time they want me there on Monday.
David and I are now balancing the positives and negatives of proceeding down this path. We have some sincere praying to do and major decisions to make over the weekend.
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