Dr. Shires was in today and said "We're on the launch pad". His kidney and liver functions are stable, there have been no indications of infection, or any problems with blood pressure or heart rate.
We've had several questions about the upcoming surgery (as I'm sure many of you have) so I'll give you our Q&A with Dr. Shires. Keep in mind these are answered in typical Dr. Shires form, along with the customary shrug of his shoulders...
What can we expect? I don't know. We'll find out when we get in there. There is always the possibility we'll get in there and find it's too early and have to close up and try again later down the road. (He's told us this happens very rarely; and once again reminded us Ron's an alien!)
What time will surgery take place? Not sure, you know how it goes around here. You're second on the schedule so should be around 9, unless the person in front of you chicken's out, then you'll be moved up to 7. If the first takes longer then it could be later!
How long do you anticipate surgery to take. I don't know...could be anywhere from 2-5 hours. We get bored after about 2....
Will he go to ICU? Yes, for a couple days or so
How long will recovery be? It all depends; he'll have to learn how to eat again.
Where will the incision site be: starting at midline to existing drainage tubes (basically left side, belly button straight across just below ribs)
We did find out that he has adrenal failure..part of the function of the adrenals is to produce adrenaline which helps you deal with stress (and his body has been under ALOT of stress!); it produces steroids as well and it has something to do with how your body handles water/salt balances in the body thus the reason he has been getting dehydrated and having blood pressure issues. Treatment is steroid shots twice a day. They do not know at this point if this is a permanent condition...won't know until after recovery and they begin to wean him off the steroid.
I think there's more I wanted to tell everyone, but I'm tired; so my brain isn't functioning. If you have any questions about the surgery, e-mail them to me...if I have the answer I'll include in my next update; if not I'll ask Dr. Shires.
Good night! PLEASE KEEP PRAYING DILIGENTLY FOR BEST CASE SCENARIO!!
Love, Christie
From my devotional today:
"By faith Abraham...obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going." Hebrews 11:8
Abraham didn't know where he was going; it was enough for him to know he went with God. He did not look at the difficulty of his circumstances but looked to his King!
We must be willing to take our ideas of what this journey of life will be like and tear them up! Nothing will happen as we expect. He will lead us through ways we would never have dreamed. He knows no fear, and He expects us to fear nothing while He is with us!
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