update from today's procedure

Actually, I should have titled this "Update from today's NON-procedure". The day didn't go as everyone had hoped. Although we knew going into it this was a possibility, it was still disappointing.

The scope revealed there was too much scar tissue for Dr. A to see a viable spot to place the gastric tube (also known as PEG, feeding tube, and/or g-tube). Due to Ron's past extensive surgeries, things are all out of place in his belly, therefore extreme caution must be taken to ensure tube doesn't inadvertently go through an area of the intestines. The scope also revealed his esophagus looks worse than his last scope and he had a liter of fluid in his stomach. Upon suctioning this fluid out, the intestines dumped a stomach-full back in--not the way things should work.

So, where do we go from here? The results affirm g-tube is the direction to go...since his esophagus and digestive system do not function properly, it's imperative to have a way to empty the stomach in order to prevent yakking thus causing further damage. Though not the first choice, we now go to Plan B, which is Interventional Radiology. Dr. A and Dr. D (head of IR; who knows Ron's anatomy extensively) have been in consultation as to the best way to go about this. Unfortunately, they will not be able to do anything until the week of Jan 24. They will need to use CT machine (which was not functioning today) and since it will be "a complex, difficult procedure", consensus between the IR doctors was that they feel most comfortable/confident with Dr. D performing. Unfortunately, Dr. D is on vacation until the 24th.

The plan is Dr. D, with the use of ongoing CT and X-ray, will attempt to insert the PEG. We have been in consultation with his nurse who has told us she felt sure they would not want to do this as an outpatient due to the complexity, so to bring a packed bag and be prepared to stay.

Please continue to pray. Today's procedure was painful. All the poking, prodding and being stuck with needles in several areas in hopes of finding a spot to place tube into the stomach, has left Ron needing pain meds and ice packs to help with soreness and swelling.

Even though we feel we've been kicked in the stomach; we refuse to lose hope! Though sometimes it's more difficult than others, and I confess, times we want to shout "ENOUGH!"; we choose to trust God has a perfect plan AND time.

I'd love to leave you with some words of wisdom...but, honestly, tonight I'm spent. So, I'll simply say, goodnight.

Christie