Update #181

[sigh] What a difference a day makes.

Okay, before I even go there, what a difference a year makes. Last year at this time, I was still trying to communicate every new development in Dave's life with some form of sugar coated optimism. However awful my posts may have seemed at the time, when I go back and reread them, all I can think is that what we were actually experiencing was almost always ten times worse. I've said before that I'm naturally an optimist, which was where some of that communication tone was coming from; it also related to the fact that Dave was still in critical condition, he was fighting his way back from a bout of sepsis, and any step forward was a huge celebration. I was also trying not to scare you. :-)

Now, a year later, Dave and I are both still optimistic, but we have also gotten used to having reality slap us in the face a bit. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst, right? And this time, I'm not sure how to sugar coat it.

That long preface was to prepare you for what comes next. Dave is healthy, I'll say that first. But everything happened so quickly that I couldn't give moment by moment updates, and by the time yesterday ended, we were both too overwhelmed to talk to anyone. I'm sorry if I give you that same feeling now. After spending 36 hours at home (we literally spent 30 of them sleeping), Dave woke up yesterday morning with drainage - not post surgery drainage, but pre-surgery drainage - all over his dressing. After a quick call to the Trauma Clinic, we put our still-packed bags back in the car and headed to the ER at UC. Our initial logical fear, that one of Dave's internal sutures had pulled free or that a new fistula had developed, was confirmed after a CT scan late yesterday afternoon. The short of it: the surgery didn't work. In Dr. Muskat's words, "This is really disappointing."

There are some differences between treating this fistula versus treating the last one. First, Dave is much healthier, and his body is much better prepared to heal. Second, the weak tissue where the first hole developed was taken out during surgery, meaning the hole this time is in healthier, less fragile tissue.

That being said, in some ways where we are today very closely resembles where we were a year ago. The hole is in the same spot and draining the same excessive amount of...stuff, which we are having a very difficult time controlling. As of yesterday, Dave was off all food AND drink (aside from small sips of water for his meds) indefinitely to clean out his system. Instead, he is back on TPN (the nutrition that flows straight into his bloodstream) and IV fluids. The central line in his neck last year will be replaced with a PIC line (better than IVs because it won't come out) for both the TPN and the fluids. Octreotide will be replaced with another treatment (I'll include the name once they say it again). And, we are in the hospital for at least another week.

On the positive, all of this comes with a much more likely hope that the hole will close on its own, which is better than waiting six months for yet another surgery. Hopefully, the doctors will be able to determine how likely that is in the next seven days. On the negative...well, you understand.

After anticipating this surgery for so many months, Dave and I are pretty disheartened. We knew that this scenario was possible, but after the surgery went so smoothly...

In the midst of this new development, here is my challenge to you: fast and pray. Dave is, in essence, fasting for at least the next week. All throughout the New Testament, we see prayer and fasting partnered; yet while we focus so much on prayer, we very rarely honor the other command. In the next week, do be praying earnestly that the hole will show signs of closing. But partner that with fasting something. Fasting all food completely may not be possible, but maybe give up one meal a day. Don't play video games. Go without coffee. And use the time - and every time you remember how much you miss whatever you have given up - to pray for Dave. Pray for his strength, his spirits, his energy, his patience, and always, his healing.

We'll keep you posted.