Friday, January 21, 2011

My Champion!!

I have never seen a more handsome face!

I know some of you have been itching for some info but it took until about an hour and a half ago before Kevin was in a room and I could run to the van to get the laptop.  So for those of you who want a lot of details...here goes:  (For those of you who don't, he did and is doing great!  Skip to the bottom.)

Kevin and I arrived at Blodgett Hospital at 8:40am and met Pastor Kevin in the parking lot.  My Kevin joked with him and said "Hey, can you just let the patient get checked in!"  :)  All went well with check in and before we knew it he was in a bed and being hooked up to and IV.  (Unfortuantely it took three attempts but Kevin had a great attitude about it and kept the nurse laughing even in her discouragement.)  Pastor Kevin then prayed with us and shared Psalm 20 verses 1-5 which became my prayer all day "...May the name of the God of Jacob protect you.... May He give you the desire of your heart...."   Pastor Warren also popped in to pray with us and shared  John 10:1-5 reminding us that we are Christ's sheep and He our shepherd.  Christ will protect us, even lay down his life for us and all we need to do is learn to listen for His voice so we can follow him and rest in that protection.

Kevin's parents, my parents and my sister, her husband and my nephew Christian popped in for a short while before Kevin was wheeled back into surgery.  It was one of the most difficult moments of my life, to kiss my best friend good-bye and to entrust him into the hands of the surgeons and nurses.  I think my heart cracked as he disappeared down the hallway.

From the pre-op room we headed down to the waiting room where I checked in and received a pager and Kevin's patient number so we could track his progress on the monitors.  After one hour, we took a brief trip down to the cafeteria for lunch and then headed back to the waiting room (That is, after a short detour to the gift shop.  I rarely pass up an opportunity to wander through cute stores filled with interesting knick knacks.)
About 20 mins after we returned to the waiting room, Dr. Curry spotted me and relief began to flood my heart.  He informed us that Kevin was doing great and that his portion went very well.  Dr. Luchtefeld began the surgery and he, Dr Curry, had stepped in to stitch up the bladder which went very smoothly. 

About 1/2 hour later, Dr. Luchtefeld also spotted me and smiled, more relief pour over me like a nice hot shower.  He also told us that everything went very well.  No really big surprises.  He removed about 8-10 inches of Kevin's ileum and 3 inches of his ascending colon including his appendix.  They did find a third fistula near the second one on the lower portion of Kevin's descending colon but both of those could be removed and just stitched closed.  The pathology report will take 3 to 5 days so we may be home before we know the results.  However, Dr. Luchtefeld is still very certain it is Crohn's.  Just before he left he told me it would be a while before I would be able to see him and it was.  Kevin took a good hour and a half to wake up and be coherent enough to be wheeled to his room.  (He is in 4G room 31 a newer part of the hospital.)

I can't explained the joy I experienced when I was able to see his face and hold his hand again.  I guess it was kind of like being given the absolute BEST birthday gift ever!!

So back to the details... Kevin has three one inch incisions and one 3 1/2 inch one.   As you can imagine he's pretty sore but he is such a champion!  He's already cracked jokes, gotten the recovery transport nurse to smile and made his nurse and nurses aid laugh.  Yep, that's my Kevin!!  And in between dosing in and out he's eaten all his pudding and chocolate shake as well as a good portion of his soup.  After not eating for days, his body has to be doing a little happy dance.

At this point I am at a loss as too how grateful we are for all your thoughts and prayers.  We KNOW God heard them all!  Kevin's smooth surgery and great spirits are evidence of that.  So thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

With love and hugs,
Christine (and Kevin)

I think I might just be a little jealous of his Get Well Flowers!  :)

1 comment:

  1. Sounds like everything is going well. Tell Kevin to keep up the good work.

    Aunt Marcia

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