Day After Implant of Internal Metal Stent at UVA

      I am going to try to write what I remember, although the anesthesiologist told me I wouldn't remember much of anything.  Well, what I faced afterwards is what I do remember the most.  
    They did not use my port to access the sedation because, we were told, that it flows much better and faster through the IV "stick".  Actually, I have no black and blue spot to remember it by either!
      There is NO pain from the stent.  He took out the biliary tube, so the little hole that is there is supposed to mend.  They told my girls that I had a vasovagal "attack" while on the table.  Glad I wasn't aware of that either!!!!
      But, the sore throat, the coughing up phlegm all night, lots of gas, plus not being able to take the Ativan at night didn't give me a very good night's sleep.  This was an ERCP (down the throat) as described in my "blog" from Saturday.  I guess they "blow" you up and dry you out!!   This  too shall pass.   (No pun intended:)
      The doctor explained a lot of negative things that can occur after one of these implants.  So, those things like infection, fever, internal bleeding, pain, jaundice, etc.  are the things that we pray about now🙏😏  These are what we hope for: The good things are showers, swimming, no dangling little tube hanging from my side, and no changing of dressing every few days:)
      I was prescribed a very strong antibiotic called Cipro....   When you read the side effects and talk to some people who have taken it, you wonder if there is something else with less terrible side effects for "old people".   However, on the other hand, having a "foreign object"  in my body may be an important reason to try to stick with it!  I also figure I have had so many side effects from chemo, a couple days on this stuff, except for broken tendons and death, I can make it through:):):)
      I was given very good care at UVA and so grateful for my family's support.  
      We left for Charlottesville, VA, at 10:30 AM Monday, April 29 AM and got home about 6 PM, same day.   I was so glad to get home even though uncomfortable.  
       

Thoughts on Saturday AM, April 27, 2019

     Yesterday, Friday, around noon I got a call from "Irene" at UVA Hospital, nurse for Dr. Dushant Uppal, who told me there was a cancellation with him on this Monday for an ERCP.  An ERCP stands for Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography...a technique that combines the use of endoscopy and fluoroscopy  to diagnose and treat certain problems of the biliary or pancreatic ductal systems.  So what does this mean for me?   I am assuming he can check to see if he will be able to put in a "hidden" ductal tube so we don't have to change dressing all the time and I can get in water without any problem!  One of the risks with this exploration can be pancreatitis.  I am praying that no side effects from any of this will occur🙏
           Thursday, I got to hold our newest grandchild for part of the afternoon.  I got to change her, feed her and hold her and she fell asleep.  I get to see all the grandchildren at different times and in different ways.  One of our grandkids came and trimmed up all the edges the mower didn't get to do.  And, by the way, our neighbor Eddie conscientiously takes care of mowing our lawn whenever he does his.  What a gift we have.
      As I go through the next few days, being prone to "anxiety" about the unknown, as I always have been, I have to remember the gifts that are always around us and not the worries that are also tempting us.  

         "The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want;  He makes me to lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul;  He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me.  Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil.  My cup runs over.  Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."  Psalm 23

Easter Sunday AM Thoughts

      I woke up this morning feeling "normal", well and full of thankfulness for another Easter here on earth.  I know that one day I will be living in a new place and time.  I read about it in the Bible, I believe it in my heart and I trust God for this gift.

      But, this morning when I woke up I thanked God each personally for my family members, my friends, for life with no complications at the moment for me and for all those who are now going through suffering type experiences in their lives whether physical, mental or spiritual.  I might add here that the last few days, late in the day, I have felt achey and wonder if a fever is working on me.  But, I take Tylenol, rest and then sleep all night, and feel fine in the AM.

     Back to Easter thoughts:)    I remember the days when Easter was a very stressful time for me but in a positive way of course:)  I was preparing for dinner guests after church at our house, I was directing brass, choir and "Easter music" at church plus all the details that go on before, during and after these events.  "Easter Sunday" was not really a relaxing time until it was all over and everything went well😉

      The special hymns and songs for today that I appreciate are:  "I Know that My Redeemer Liveth" from Messiah;  "The Trumpet Shall Sound" from Messiah.   Two hymns I love  that come to mind are "Lift High the Cross" and "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross".

       I wish everyone reading this a joyful Easter, a day of peace, love and thankfulness and for my Jewish friends  a Happy Passover!

Job 19:25  "I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand on the latter day."

Matthew 28:6  "He is not here, for He is risen as He said.  Come see the place where the Lord lay."

It has been a good week

     Since I was released from the hospital one week ago, I have felt better than I have in a long time.  I do have a little handicap in that my tube is still coming out of my abdomen and the dressing has to be changed every couple days.   Ruthie is my "nurse" for that.  One of the handicaps that this dressing and tube "provide" is wearing close fitting clothes around my waist.  It is uncomfortable  and I can't wait until I get home after being out to put on a muu-muu or night gown:)
     Yesterday, my oncologist told me that she hopes that somehow the doctors can put the tube totally inside me.  I am hoping that too!   June 6 is my appointment for the removal of the biliary duct tube.  No one really knows whom I have asked yet, what will happen during this procedure.
      The other piece of news today is that my tumor marker is slowly going down again. I will wait for another month or so for another CT scan to really tell if the new pills are working.  The idea is to shrink the tumor in the pancreas so it doesn't get in the way of the bile duct which caused the blockage to back up the bile duct to cause my jaundice.  Not that I have a stent in there that is bypassing the tumor, it is at least helping that situation!
       I am looking and feeling fine and know that dealing with pancreatic cancer does have its end one of these days.   Meanwhile I am thankful for each day and each hour of good health and "quality of life":)
       I am thankful for the time God has given me so far and continues to give me.  The "new" pills (Lynparza) that I am taking now don't give me anymore side effects at all.  This is a wonderful blessing as far as I am concerned.   I have energy that I haven't felt for a long time but realize that this too shall end sometime.
      Only God knows our futures.