I last updated you on Tuesday of last week. Since then, we are just taking one day at a time. Slow improvement each day. Whether the sun is shining or not has a lot to do with how much goes on around here. When it's sunny, Brock wants to be on the go and be outside.
On Saturday, we went to the range as there was a shooting match and Brock very much wanted to see the guys. It was the highlight of his week until Sunday when we went to church. Getting back to church after only two weeks was the ultimate. Here is a picture of our "patient" on the way to church.
He doesn't look much like a patient, huh? Looks pretty good if I do say so myself! :)We had to buy him new clothes, not one thing he owns fits him.
His weight has leveled off for the last 3 days at 217. He is trying different foods each day. So far, so good. Very small meals and still drinking ensure. He gets full easy.
Sleeping is better now, he is able to lay on both sides, but he still wakes up quite often and spends some time on the couch during the night.
You never know when he will get tired and need a nap. It comes on quite suddenly. He naps 2 to 3 times a day.
Eighteen days since surgery. We feel that he has done remarkably well. If anyone would like to come visit, just give us a call. He would love some company.
Today was our first visit to the surgeon. He was very pleased. We were hoping to get the feeding tube removed today, but the doctor said it needs to stay in two more weeks.
Sounds like it has to do with the healing inside. We just have to flush it twice a day with tap water.
Brock thought for sure he would be able to drive, but four weeks from surgery would be minimum, so he's stuck with me as his chauffeur till late next week.
This time we both heard what we thought we heard in the hospital, but were afraid to voice outloud. The surgeon said he does NOT think Brock needs chemo or radiation. If fact, he said it twice. It seems to good to be true. Just making it through the surgery and getting this far has, in itself, been a miracle. The fact that they removed all the cancer and feel this confident about it, is simply, a gift from God.
We do have appointments with a radiologist and an oncologist. That will be the final answer. I know people are split right down the middle, those that think he should have chemo (just to be sure) and those that feel he doesn't need chemo if the man removing the cancer says there is nothing else lurking in Brock's body. We are going into it with completely open minds. We won't make any decision until we hear all sides. Ultimately, it's up to Brock and I will back him on whatever he decides.
One thing has cropped up that I haven't mentioned to you all. Since the moment Brock came out of surgery, he has had high blood pressure and fast pulse. At first we thought it was related to the surgery itself, then later to the fact he was so stressed being in the hospital. Then after getting home and home health care took his pressure, he did have swollen ankles, so the high pressure was thought to be fluid retention. Now that his ankles have returned to normal, he's home, not stressed, his blood pressure is still quite high. At 3:00 today we are returning to our family practitioner to talk to him about it and see what to do. We have been told that a traumatic incident, (an accident or major surgery) can sometimes make a problem like this show up. It may have happened later in life, it was just brought out sooner. There is a lot of high blood pressure in Brock's family, so this might just be the way it is from now on. I'll let you know after our appointment today.
In the meantime, we are asking for prayer for our brother-in-law, Bill, who had a heart attack on Saturday evening. Bill is the husband of Brock's sister Brenda. Many of you met her as she stayed with me during Brock's surgery, and for a few days afterwards. We got the word a little while ago that he has 4 blocked arteries and will need bypass surgery, probably tomorrow. Brock's mom had cataract surgery today and it went very well. This family is sure going through some trials.
Thanks again for staying with us. Your notes of encouragement, your prayers have kept us at peace and willing to accept God's will, regardless of what it is.
We all wish we could manage these trials on our own time, but one thing stuck out in the sermon at church yesterday....the right time is God's time. You never know the who, what, where, when why or how.
Our God is an AWESOME God!
We love you,
Chris & Brock
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