Surgery report

Thank you for your faithful prayers.

Ron went in for surgery at 10AM. I received a call from OR nurse @ 12:30 saying things were slow but stable. Another call @ 1:45 saying he was still doing well. About 2:30 Dr. Shires called to ask where we were waiting so he could come talk to us. So he was in surgery about 4 1/2 hours (upon being asked, Dr. Shires said they did not get bored after 2 hours...things were too intense!)

Surgery was successful! They were able to resect the intestines end to end. They did find some fistulas (tears) so they removed those small sections but their were none in the colon which is very good. And kidney seemed to handle it all well.

He lost a bit of blood so they gave him a couple pints and still has some bleeding so they may need to give more over the next few days. He will remain on the ventilator at least overnight and on a paralytic drug as well as heavy duty narcotics possibly through the weekend; allowing him to rest and heal without stressing his body any more. They will also have him on antibiotics.

When we saw him in ICU he looked pretty good considering; good color, resting well, but obviously in alot of pain. They are in the process of getting him on an IV drip for pain. He also has a wound vac to help the healing process of the incision site, the area had alot of "woody" tissue and they removed scar tissue from the old drain tube sites. He does have a new drainage tube (not from intestines, just general surgical drain); Gastric tube will stay in until feeding process is successful; and he will remain on TPN for several days to allow the intestines to heal some before they try food. They also decided to place an NG tube (gastric tube down nose) for the next couple of days while he is on ventilator. He has an arterial line in his wrist (line inserted directly into artery that allows best way to monitor blood pressure, can also draw blood to test sugar levels); central line inserted in neck (allows access for more IV ports, blood draws, etc).

Blood pressure has been a little low but pretty steady; heart rate in the 120-130's; high but one way body reacts to stress so not unexpected.

Dr Shires feels good but warns us he still has a rough road ahead and that he will most likely have setbacks; though he should not have to go back in surgically at any point. He feels they should be able to handle everything along the way through Interventional Radiology.

The next couple of days are crucial, so please continue to lift him up! Hopefully he will be able to come off the paralytic drugs, ventilator and NG tube by the end of the weekend and go to a regular room Monday. I'm so thankful he is on the paralytic and heavy pain drugs! So he won't remember this phase!

No time frame given for recovery but I know he would like to be in good enough shape to make an appearance at the golf tournament May 19! Not sure how feasible that is...1 month and 1 day away...but a good goal for him to shoot for!!!!

Please pray:
against prolonged pain; it's so hard to see him crying out (but unable to make any noise due to ventilator)
good blood supply and no tension on resected bowel (actually all bowel, but especially this area)
all vitals (blood pressure, heart rate, hemoglobin level, blood sugar level, kidney function, etc) will stabilize and/or remain stable
AGAINST INFECTION!
any/all leaks will heal on their own, quickly!

That we will reflect Christ to all those we come in contact with; doctors, nurses, techs, other patients and their families, etc.

Praise:
for successful surgery
for Dr. Shires, Dr. Becherel and all those who care for Ron
for the blessing I have been granted to be able to "live" here at Presby...what a stress relief not having to make that drive back and forth

We love you guys and cannot begin to tell you what a blessing you are to each of us!

Christie

"In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry. May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm. May He send you help from His sanctuary and strengthen you...May He grant your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans...May the Lord answer all your prayers."
Psalm 20:1-2, 4, 5b NLT

Thank you, Father!!!