Blessed, but weary

Dear friends and family,

I come once again praising God for miracles, but also requesting continued prayers.

My appetite is continuing to increase little by little.  The pain and nausea after eating has decreased.  My sugar levels have continued to do well.  I have NOT had low blood sugar levels once.  My strength and stamina have increased.  I have continued to be able to walk outside every day with my mom.   My confidence is increasing with taking my blood sugar.  I saw a mama deer and her two babies in my backyard.  I started a new Bible study by Priscilla Shirer entitled Discerning the Voice of God; How to Recognize When God Speaks.  The list goes on and on.

However, the past few mornings have been rough and keep getting worse.  Today I woke up at 4:45 AM feeling like I was choking.  I have a sore throat and it hurts to swallow.  I continue to have a phlegmy cough.  I did my best to cough up some mucus, suck on a cough drop and adjust my pillows.  By 7 AM, I was soaked with sweat, had the chills, thought I was going to vomit and pass out, I had stomach cramps, back pain and diarrhea.  I checked my blood sugar and it was normal.  I took my temperature and it was normal.  

I believe what I am experiencing is pain medication withdrawal.  Last Sunday I dropped back from two pain pills a day to just one.  I experienced these unpleasant withdrawal symptoms in the Spring.  The good news is I know I will live and eventually the symptoms will go away.  The hard part is coughing, in particular, hurts a lot with a sizable abdominal incision.  It is also discouraging to have made such progress and now feel so awful.  

I broke down in tears this morning.  I naturally feel fatigued and not up for a new round of battle.  I started to doubt whether the pain will ever go away.  I feel like I am dying and the days feel soooooooooooooo long.  My mom is amazing at finding silly old movies to distract me.  My mom also reminds me of truths and rebukes the lies that are bouncing around in my head.  I started to feel sorry for myself.  Why must I suffer?  Why must anyone have to suffer?  I am SO ready for a sabbatical from pain!  How much longer?  How much more must I endure?  Shouldn't I be a pain expert by now?  Why cannot I handle this pain?

My mom is a great cheerleader.  I am now repeating to myself that, "I am going to make it.  The pain will not last forever.  The best is yet to come."

As I was reading my Bible study lesson today, a verse of Scripture jumped off the page and almost gave me a black eye :0)  Isaiah 50:4 "The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.  Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will."  I have been surrounded by comfort and feel terribly weary.  I felt God saying that through this experience, I will be able to comfort others who are weary.  I have been so blessed that I am grateful to be a blessing however and wherever I can.  

I received an email yesterday from someone I have never met, stating that one particular blog entry really touched her and encouraged her.  Well, I am not the one with wisdom, but God is.  I guess in a way it is a miracle, how God can use my experience, my brokenness, and request for prayers to encourage others.  

I appreciate your continued encouragement and support, especially while I am weary.  Your prayers are greatly appreciated.  Blessings to each of you!

Love,

Becky

Update from a pancreas-free gal

Dear faithful friends and family,

This is Becky!  I dreamed of the day I would write an update without a pancreas.  I just never imagined that it would be only 2 weeks after major surgery.  Miracles have abounded!

Jack did an extraordinary job of writing updates while I was in the hospital.  Most of my hospital stay is a blur.  I received excellent care and was kept comfortable.  There are 3 details from the hospital that I want to pass along.

I woke up from the surgery with ZERO pain.  As the sleepy medicine wore off, but before I could open my eyes, I began saying "Thank you, Jesus!" over and over again.  One of the hospital staff said to another, "What is she saying?"  The other person replied, "I think she is praying."  I wasn't just praying, I was praising God!  I have never come out of a surgery or procedure without pain.  My abdomen was completely numb.

Unfortunately, the night right after the surgery, the numbness wore off on my right side.  I asked the ICU nurse to call my husband, Jack.  He came to the ICU at stayed with me ALL night, encouraging me to take deep breaths and not to give up.  This is pretty amazing in itself, but what makes it miraculous is Jack hadn't been able to sleep well the two previous nights, so he was running on fumes.

The surgeon came to my hospital room every day to check on my progress.  He is a kind and compassionate man, but does not show a lot of emotion.  The day I was discharged he was grinning from ear to ear.  After examining my incision  he exclaimed, "How beautiful!  That is some amazing craftsmanship! Someone really talented must have done that!"  While he was being silly, the serious truth is that my incision is doing amazing.

A few final miracles to share:

1) I was able to have my surgery on time and did not contract the flu Jack had prior to my surgery.

2) I arrived home from the hospital to balloons, flowers, signs and cards everywhere.  I feel surrounded by encouragement.

3) I haven't vomited since Monday.

4) I have been checking my blood sugar 4 times a day (this is a miracle in itself) and NOT ONCE did I have to give myself insulin since I have been home.  Way to go islet cells!

5) I have been able to take a walk outside every day.  It has been warm and sunny here in South Carolina.  Fresh air makes a world of difference.

I am struggling to find the right words  to capture how in awe I am of my recovery.  I am humbled by how many people are praying for me.  I know I shouldn't be surprised by how well I am doing, but I am.

Two prayer requests:

1) Grace with myself - I am doing far better than I ever anticipated, but become easily discouraged and frustrated because I think I can do more.  I become tired easily and need 2 naps a day.

2) Eating - right now I am eating a few bites at each meal.  I become full quickly.  Many times after eating a few bites I become very nauseous and experience intense pain.  Please pray that as my digestive track heals, I would be able to eat more and experience less pain and nausea.  Also, that my islet cells would be able to keep up with my appetite.

Please know from the bottom of my heart, how much I appreciate your concern, compassion, love, encouragement and prayers.  

I continue to pray a lot  and at many strange hours.  I would be honored to lift up a situation or person in my daily prayers.  Please let me know.

I am thankful to have this form of communication to thank you for being a tremendous blessing in my life.  I wish I could do more to personally thank each of you, but right now my energy is weak.  I appreciate your understanding.

Blessings and deep, deep gratitude,

Becky

Home Sweet Home

Becky is home. I am so thankful to have her back. I think it goes without saying that she is also thrilled to be back home, too. It has been a long day with lots of hurry up and wait moments, and Becky didn’t leave MUSC until 2:15 p.m. It was a long drive with lots of jostling along the way. Becky arrived home happy but tired, and although she hoped to make it through Downton Abbey, she just went to bed. We pray she’ll sleep well and wake up refreshed and comfortable.

Thanks again for all your prayers and support. Please continue to hold Becky in your prayers as she relearns her daily routines and new ways of eating. We know there will be bumps along the way, but we are confident that before too long, checking blood sugar and counting carbs will be as routine as putting on socks or brushing our teeth. Blessings, peace, and grace to you all.

Goin' home (Take 2)

Today was the second day in a row that Becky didn’t need any additional pain medication. She also didn’t need any nausea medicine. This is indeed reason to celebrate. She continues to eat and tolerate food – and best of all, is enjoying the food she is eating. We’ve taken several walks throughout the day, and Becky continues to get stronger and gain energy. All of this leads us to some very good news – Becky gets to come home tomorrow!

Now I know we’ve been here before when we thought Becky would come home on Friday, and we were certainly disappointed when she didn’t. But things have definitely progressed to a point where continued hospitalization would no longer benefit Becky’s recovery. Her bags are already packed, and as she told me, she is ready to blow this popsicle stand.

We are certainly amazed and very thankful for God’s healing work in Becky’s body. We are also thankful for the incredible people and facilities at MUSC. Everyone has been wonderful and so many people have gone above and beyond to ensure that Becky’s stay here has been comfortable and recuperative. But most of all, we want to thank all of you reading this who have sustained us with your prayers, well wishes, and loving support. God has worked a multitude of miracles already, and we look forward to even more revelations of God’s power as Becky continues to recover at home… beginning tomorrow.

Onward and upward

While Becky didn’t get discharged today as we had initially hoped, she is continuing to improve in big ways. It was great to be here to encourage her throughout the day, which proved to be a very full one.

Becky ordered herself some diet ice cream and jello for breakfast this morning, but after taking her morning pills, she didn’t feel up to eating anything. The nurse was very nice and put the ice cream in the freezer. Becky was able to get some of it down for lunch, in addition to a Club cracker. While it doesn’t sound like much, it was truly wonderful that she was able to keep it down, and not feel overwhelmingly nauseous. We were extremely happy and encouraged. Becky was so encouraged, that she ordered a more ambitious dinner consisting of chicken noodle soup, a small garden salad, graham crackers, and a rice crispy treat.

The soup was terrible, which I verified (don’t they know she is supposed to watch her sugar and not her salt?!?), and she didn’t eat more than a bite. However, the graham crackers, rice crispy treat, and most of the salad didn’t stand a chance. She even had a bite of a contraband sugar cookie that some devilishly handsome young man brought to her from the cafeteria. While she did experience a little discomfort from the salad, all of her food stayed down, and Becky felt up to going for a walk after dinner.

It was her third walk of the day, and Becky ran her mother and I ragged circling the halls. Unfortunately, the temperature in Charleston dropped about 20 degrees overnight, and with the fleeting 80 degree weather we decided not to venture outside. That didn’t stop us from enjoying the beautiful panoramic views of the Ashley River marina, the blue skies, and the bright sunshine from the widows in the hallway.

Our day wasn’t all walking and eating, though, and at times Becky’s room felt like Grand Central Station. We met with the diabetic educator this morning. She was outstanding in her presentation as she trained Becky and I on how to use all our new equipment to test Becky’s blood sugar, administer glucagon (if Becky ever passes out from low blood sugar), and inject insulin. We also met with the diabetic dietician today, and she patiently explained several times how Becky’s eating habits will change as a diabetic. Thankfully, Becky can eat just about anything she wants, although we will need to be diligent in counting carbohydrates and portion sizes.

Becky’s surgeon, Dr. Adams, also came by after being out of town for a few days. He seemed pleased with Becky’s progress and is encouraged that she will be able to leave soon. In addition to this good news, Becky’s staples were removed this afternoon. She wasn’t looking forward to the procedure, and while it wasn’t overly painful, it was a little uncomfortable. The saving grace was that it didn’t take long to do, and Becky’s incision site continues to heal beautifully. Even with all of this going on, Becky did not need to take any IV pain medication today, relying only on her oral maintenance dose!

A couple of members of our church family also stopped in for a brief visit this afternoon. Before they left, they offered these words from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the church in Rome: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:26-28).

Becky and I want to offer these words as our hope and prayer for all of you who are reading this. Most of you have experienced those groaning prayers, and many people have offered them on Becky’s behalf over this past year. God indeed continues to show us how all things are working out for good. May this hope and promise sustain you as it has sustained us.

With digs like this, who could leave?

It seems we got our hopes up a little too soon. Becky has been struggling to eat and keep food down. As a result she won’t be coming home tomorrow as we had expected. While this is not the best news, we know that being in the hospital is the best thing for Becky right now. We certainly wouldn’t want to have to transport her back to Charleston while she wasn’t feeling well. That would be a very unpleasant trip.

While Becky couldn’t wait to try everything on the menu, she couldn’t keep her breakfast or lunch down today. That meant that her dinner consisted of a couple of lemon wedges for her water. Even though she has been sick several times today, her spirits are still good, and she looks wonderful. She has continued to walk the hallways, and she is getting faster and stronger with every lap. Her blood sugars continue to be in the normal range for the most part, although she did need some insulin earlier today. Becky was able to inject herself for the first time. She said it didn’t even hurt.

Tomorrow we will meet with a few more educators who will help us understand how Becky’s lifestyle will change. The diabetic dietician will go over all the details of her dietary needs. Many people have been wonderful by offering to help us when we get home by providing meals, so it will be good to let them know what Becky will and won’t be able to eat. As excited as Becky is about food, the doctors have told us that it might be a while before Becky is really able to eat more than a small snack or meal at any one time.

I am glad to be back with Becky. The church has been great at allowing me the flexibility to be with her. While it was nice to be back at the church for a few days and to connect with so many of the congregation, I am glad to be back in Charleston. I will be here through Saturday before driving home to prepare for Sunday services. Becky’s dad, Ed, will fly in from Lancaster on Saturday, and I know both Sue and Becky are looking forward to that.

We are so thankful for all the amazing healing that Becky has experienced over the past week. It seems natural to be discouraged by the bump in Becky’s healing journey, but she has been doing so well overall that we remain convinced that Becky will be feeling better and back at home very soon. Please continue to pray for Becky to be able to eat food without experiencing pain and without vomiting, and also for her nausea to go away.

A Great Day with Wonderful News

Today has been a wonderful day. I talked to Becky early this morning, and she sounded wonderful and energized. She had a restful night and was feeling refreshed. She still had some pain, but was managing very well. Becky wanted to eat, but wasn’t sure when they would allow her to have food.

The answer came around 4:30 p.m. Becky called me to tell me that the surgical team had just come in to visit with her and gave her their plan of action. First, she could eat real food for dinner tonight. Second, she would have her staples removed on Friday. Third, they tested the islet cells and learned that they are functioning just as they should. Finally, they were planning on discharging her on Friday! This is all incredible news.

Becky was so excited about the prospect of eating real food again, that I think she wanted to order one of everything off the menu. She planned out her next three meals. When she finally got her tray she started with the vanilla wafers, and according to her they were the best vanilla wafers she’d ever tasted. She also ate some corn muffin and a little bit of a quesadilla. Even though Becky was told to take eating slow, it sure felt good to be able to eat again. However, a week without food caught up with her very soon, and she needed some pain and nausea medicine shortly after eating. We know it will get better soon, but it is still hard to be so hungry and not be able to eat much.

Even with eating food, Becky’s blood sugar continues to remain in the normal range, and she hasn’t needed insulin today. Her strength is also continuing to return to her, and she was able to take a couple of long walks with her mother today. Becky is finding that she can walk further with less pain.

Needless to say, this is all thrilling news and we are rejoicing. It has been good to get back to work for a couple of days, but I miss being with Becky and am looking forward to going back tomorrow. It is wonderful to know that she will be coming home with me on Friday. She still has a long recovery ahead of her, but we all feel a lot more confident and encouraged that Becky is going to make it through her recovery with flying colors.

P.S. Several people have been curious about whether God answered prayers for Becky to pass gas. Last night, they gave Becky an injection to counteract the effects of the pain medication on her digestive system. It did the trick.

Pain Management Resources - From Sue

I felt led this morning to write before returning to the hospital. Jayne, the pain management nurse has been fantastic and spent over an hour with us yesterday. She herself was a wonderful source of information and she also recommended different resources. I know many of you that are reading this deal with chronic pain and so I hope this will help. First she had recommended a TEDTalk on pain explaining that it can be a disease and not just a symptom. When Becky and I watched this Monday night we felt it enlightening. You can watch the video by clicking here or by searching YouTube for Dr. Elliott Krane.  She also recommended a book that you can get from Amazon for about $15 entitled Managing Pain Before It Manages You by Dr. Margaret Caudill. She also suggested the website www.painaction.com. I pray these resources will be a help for you or those you love. I know that we are all on a journey together and I can't thank you enough for all the prayers.

Love,
Sue

A Down and Up Day

Becky had a down and up day today. She had a rough night sleep-wise and started the morning feeling a little run down. She was also experiencing a lot of pain today, but nothing out of the ordinary considering everything she’s experienced.

Her stress level was also a little higher today. Part of her not feeling well had to do with Becky’s slow digestion, and her doctor changed her orders this afternoon so that Becky was once again considered NPO (nothing by mouth). This meant no more food or liquid until she was able to move her bowels. Becky felt like this was a step backwards, but again, she is not experiencing anything out of the ordinary given everything she’s experienced.

Today was also very busy in her room. She received a lot of education today from the surgical team, the endocrinologist, the diabetic educator, the dietitian, and the pain doctor. While a lot of the information was extremely helpful, some of it was very scary (especially when they talk about rare, but extreme, complications). The combination of having so many people visiting with Becky and absorbing all the information they had to share made Becky extremely exhausted.

After a nap this afternoon, though, she rebounded. She took a nice long walk down two hallways and was surprised when they wound up back at her room. She was also able to take her first shower. She told me that she was finally starting to feel like a human again. However, she is still very groggy, and not being able to drink anything has left her throat feeling very sore and scratchy as she still recovers from the ventilator and N-G tube.

Even in the midst of today’s setbacks, God remains faithful and we are continuing to recognize answers to prayers and reasons to give thanks. The pathological report of Becky’s stomach tissue revealed that she does not have Celiac disease. This thrilled Becky as she loves bread! They also gave Becky an injection to counteract the effects of the narcotic medication on her digestive system. As a result, and after a lot of painful effort, Becky was able to pass some gas and move her bowels a little. This is great progress, as they won’t release Becky until she is able to do that.

Thank you all for your prayers. I have appreciated hearing from so many in emails, facebook comments, and here on the blog. I am able to share them with Becky at different times, and it means so much to her that so many are sending their love and prayers. She wishes she could reply to everyone, but her energy is very limited and talking is painful and difficult for her. Becky’s mom and I, when we are serving as caregivers, don’t often get long stretches of time to sit still, and that can make answering the phone or emails difficult. We thank you for continuing to check in, and we hope no one will take it personally if we don’t get to respond to you right away. Please know that you are all tremendous blessings during this time, and we are encouraged by your care, concern, and love. Blessings to you all.

More good news from Charleston!

We just received a very good report from Dr. Adams. According to him, Becky is doing very well. He told us to expect her to come home this week! We are pleasantly surprised at this news. To give some perspective, Becky had an ERCP in April at Johns Hopkins that kept her in the hospital for 11 days. This was a relatively low-risk endoscopic procedure that is considered outpatient for most people. Based on this, we were expecting a long hospitalization following the total pancreatectomy – major surgery, especially in comparison to the ERCP – and certainly nothing short of 10 days. Given that today is Day 4, we are in utter amazement at God’s handiwork as we are beginning to talk about Becky being discharged!

Moving towards this goal, they removed Becky’s epidural this morning. Her pain has increased slightly, and she definitely notices a difference without it, but the worst of the pain is behind her, and the oral medications seem to be helping keep her relatively comfortable most of the time. She is currently receiving an infusion of magnesium through her IV, but once that is completed, they will temporarily disconnect her so she can take her first walk down the hallway. They are also planning on removing a drain that they inserted to help promote healing around the incision, and in the next couple of days they will remove Becky’s staples. Once they confirm that her digestive tract is indeed ready to process solid foods, there won’t be anything substantial preventing her from going home.

Regarding that, and not to be crude, we have an unusual prayer request. Becky needs to be able to pass gas. As Dr. Wright, one of the docs on the surgical team, said, we aren’t looking for a girly fart, but a big old manly fart. I’ve given Becky plenty of encouragement through example, but she needs a little more prodding. Part of it is facing the pain that will come with that kind of exertion, and part of it is the trauma that her gut has experienced, but we are confident that it will happen soon.

We also ask that you continue to pray for pain relief and comfort. We are so amazed at the progress she has made thus far, and so proud of Becky being what Dr. Adams called, “a superstar patient.” We thank you all for your prayers and encouragement, and praise God for all this provision – miracles are happening every day! With all of this progress happening, it makes it a little easier for me to return home this evening as I prepare to go back to work tomorrow. Becky’s dad, Ed, will also be flying home tonight so that he can return to work as well. Becky’s mom, Sue, will remain with her in Charleston. I plan on returning Thursday afternoon – hopefully just in time to get her packed up and on the road to home. I will be in regular contact with Becky and Sue and will continue to post updates to the blog.

Another Great Day

Today has been a day of celebrations. We started this morning celebrating Becky’s mother’s birthday. Sue started her day with a special breakfast, followed by spending time with Becky, and finished it off with a nice dinner out with Ed in downtown Charleston.

We also had a lot to celebrate with Becky’s progress on the road to recovery today. Becky spent some more time sitting in a chair this morning. Later, she was able to walk to the bathroom, twice. They’ve reduced her epidural medication, and they are planning on removing it tomorrow. But perhaps the biggest celebration of the day was that Becky was transferred out of the ICU this afternoon. She is now settled into a regular room. When I left her around 8:15 p.m., Becky was resting comfortably. She had a little bit of a headache, and was very tired, but her surgery pain was minimal. We are extremely thankful for this as they prepare to transition Becky to a pain management regiment consisting entirely of oral medications.

Becky is indeed getting stronger every day, and continues to impress her doctors and nurses. In fact, one doctor came in to see her this morning and told Becky that she was the most upbeat and energetic pancreas patient she had seen that morning. Becky, who for some reason is used to a weird sense of humor, thought that the doctor was joking and that Becky was the first patient the doctor had seen that morning. The doctor assured her that she had seen several patients already, and that Becky was her last patient on her rotation. Becky has indeed been an inspiration to us as she exhibits continual strength and endurance. She is recovering with flying colors.

As always, we thank you for your continued prayers, and we invite you to join with us in praising God and celebrating all the little things that quickly add up to BIG things. May the days ahead be full of celebrations for us all.

Milestones on the Road to Recovery

Today was another long, but great, day. We celebrated a lot of milestones on Becky’s road to recovery.

            She had a relatively restful night, getting about 3 solid hours of sleep while dozing off and on the rest of the night. Hospitals are not great places to get rest to begin with, especially when they are checking your blood pressure and blood sugars every hour. When we arrived at the hospital this morning, Becky was sitting up in bed with a big smile on her face. She was looking very good, and her heart rate and fluid output had normalized. However, she was still in a good deal of discomfort.

The pain medications were helping her, but they were also making her very drowsy. Her breathing was shallow and slow. Because her doctors and nurses were afraid of Becky coming down with pneumonia, we were tasked with being Becky’s breathing coaches and cheerleaders. For several hours we sat by her bed watching her monitors and encouraging her to take deep breaths.

While we were cheering her on, the pain team came in and fixed her epidural again. It was a big ordeal and tired Becky out. Initially, she had more pain because of all the manipulation, but soon the medicine from the epidural kicked in and made her a lot more comfortable. Eventually she succumbed to her drowsiness and fell asleep.

However the day was just beginning. Becky saw her first visitor today when Pastor Heather from Sea Island stopped by. Shortly after Heather’s visit, Becky’s nurse, Amy, made Becky get up and out of bed! She was able to take several steps to a chair, and they were able to get her comfortable and situated in an upright position. Amy wanted her to stay in the chair for at least 2 hours, but Becky was able to remain there for 3!

In addition to sitting, Becky was served two meals from the diabetic diet. She enjoyed some sugar-free popsicles and jello, along with apple juice and lemonade. It really perked her up. It was also relatively kind on her islets, as her blood sugars didn’t spike to astronomical numbers; another great sign that Becky may not need insulin long-term. Before she returned to bed, Becky got a sponge bath and her hair washed. You can only imagine how good that felt to her.

Just before we left her tonight they were transitioning her from her pain pump to a combination of oral and IV pain killers. No doubt this will lead to some additional discomfort, but with Becky’s breathing troubles and the doctors desire to get Becky more mobile tomorrow, it is the best thing to do.

After we left Becky before the shift change, Sue, Ed, and I went to a great restaurant that specializes in southern food. We had a very nice meal and a time to relax. We are trying to take care of ourselves in the midst of being present with Becky, and overall, we are all doing fine. Thank you to those of you who have offered words of care and concern for our well-being. Many of you have experienced what it’s like to be a caregiver. God is definitely providing for us from an unfathomable well of energy. We are able to find things to sustain us and celebrate every day. We are looking forward to celebrating Sue’s birthday with her tomorrow, and Ed has a special evening planned for the two of them.

Ultimately, we keep trying to encourage Becky, and we appreciate you joining us in your prayers for Becky’s encouragement and strength. She is doing remarkably well for someone who has just undergone this type of major surgery, but she still has a long road ahead of her. Thank you all for walking beside her on the journey. Keep your prayers coming.

Wonderful News! Surgery Update #7 - From Jack

Becky had a pretty rough night. Her epidural shifted and she wasn’t receiving any pain relief in her right side. As a result she began to feel a lot of the incision pain in that area. The pain medication they were using to help take the edge off wasn’t effective and she was very uncomfortable. They ended up calling me back to the hospital around 9 p.m. and I was able to be with her through the night.

They adjusted her epidural a couple of times and they were finally able to get her back to her baseline around 2 a.m. Shortly after, they got her hooked up to a patient controlled pump of pain medication so she could begin to take a little more control over her pain management. She rested off and on throughout the night, and I left her around 7 a.m. (There are no visitors allowed in the ICU from 7-8 a.m. and 7-8 p.m.) I went back to the hotel to sleep while Becky’s parents came to sit with her. They’ve been here since around 8:30 a.m.

While Becky continues to be uncomfortable, we are rejoicing in some very good things that are happening. When Becky first arrived in the ICU they were checking her blood sugar levels every half hour. They are now checking her blood sugar every hour. She has been off the insulin drip since 5:30 a.m. this morning, and has been maintaining blood sugar levels ranging from 108-110 every time they check it. This is amazing news! This means that the transplanted islet cells are taking to their new home and beginning to work! This is a huge praise.

They also removed Becky’s N-G (nasal gastric) tube around 3 p.m. This tube ran down her nose and into her stomach to help drain her stomach to allow healing in her stomach. Becky finds these tubes extremely uncomfortable and annoying (and who can blame her?). When they told her they were going to remove it, she got a sudden burst of energy and her face lit up. I don’t think she would have been happier if they told her she just won the lottery! They have ordered ice chips for her, and they plan on starting her on a clear liquid diet soon.

We continue to be impressed with the level of care that Becky is receiving here. Her nurses and doctors have been wonderfully attentive and compassionate. With all of Becky’s progress, she is no longer considered an ICU patient (she is now considered a step-down patient). While we are sad that Becky will be leaving these nurses who have been taking such good care of her, we are excited to get her into a regular room and confident that the same level of care we have experienced in every department we’ve visited will continue in her new room. I’ll keep you posted when they move her.

As always, we are so thankful for all of your prayers and well wishes. Please keep them coming, as they are working and encouraging us, even when things seem to take a slightly downward turn. We are continuing to pray for Becky’s comfort and pain relief as she recovers, but we are praising God for how wonderful she is doing less than 24 hours after the surgery. God is good… all the time.

Surgery is officially OVER: Surgery Update #6 - From Jack

Betsy just let us know that Becky's transfusion is complete and she is back in the ICU. Her surgery is OVER!

They counted the harvested cells twice. The first count came out to 130,000 cells. The second count came out to 170,000. They believe that, taking the average, Becky probably received 150,000 cells! Praise God! That was the number Dr. Adams told us to hope for! Betsy is now back checking on Becky and we may be able to see her soon.

Surgery Update #5 - From Jack

Becky is currently receiving her transplanted cells. We haven't heard how many they were able to harvest, but we are anxious to find out.

Becky's parents and I were able to go back to the ICU around noon and spend about an hour with her. She was unconscious the entire time and breathing with the help of a ventilator, but we were able to talk to her and be near her. She looked good, and the nurses and doctors attending to her were able to confirm how good she is doing. It was wonderful to have that time with her, especially because it helped alleviate any fears we might have had about how she was doing or feeling. We feel very reassured at MUSC's commitment to keep Becky comfortable and manage her pain during her recovery.

The Young’s and I were able to grab some lunch. I think the food is giving us a little energy as we hit those late afternoon doldrums. We've also been bolstered by brief visits from Pastor Steve and Pastor Ashley. Your prayers on our behalf are also keeping us going. Thank you. I look forward to updating you soon with the results of the transplant.

Praying for 150,000: Surgery Update #4 - From Jack

Becky is out of surgery and on her way to the ICU. We just met with Dr. Adams. He said everything went very well, praise God, and that she had "a good anatomy" for this surgery. The doctor said there were no complications and she didn't need any blood.

We will move to another waiting room until they let us go back and see her. Now we are praying for 150,000 - that's the number of islet cells they will need to transplant that will give her the best chance at not being an insulin-dependent diabetic long-term. Thanks for your continued prayers - and praises!

Surgery Update #3 - From Jack

Becky's pancreas is out and off to the lab! Betsy just came out to let us know that Becky is now pancreas-free. She also affirmed that having this surgery was indeed the right decision. This part of the operation should be finished in about an hour. She'll be moved to the ICU then and we should be able to see her in about 2 hours. So far things are going very well, praise God!

Surgery Update #2 - From Jack

     The transplant coordinator, Betsy, just met with us. The surgery is going well so far. Dr. Adams estimates that he should have the pancreas removed by 9:20 a.m. He is seeing a lot of damage to the pancreas. Betsy said that, based on the amount of damage, it is evident that she has suffered a great deal.
     They anticipate moving her to ICU around 10:30 a.m. Betsy told us that at that time we will meet with Dr. Adams to find out how things went with the pancreatectomy. After we consult with him, we will be able to go back to ICU to see Becky! That is an unexpected surprise and blessing. She will still be asleep, but we can talk to her.
     Once the islet cells have been isolated, Becky will be moved to a radiology suite where they will complete the procedure (that part should take about an hour). Betsy estimates that Becky should be awake and off the ventilator around 8 p.m., but we'll know more as the day progresses.

Surgery Update #1 - From Jack

It seems hard to believe that we are already well into January, and that Christmas Day was over 2 weeks ago. The weeks leading up to Christmas constitute a season called “Advent.” For many Christians, Advent is a time to prepare for Christmas. It reminds us of the time when people were waiting for a Savior, hoping for God’s physical presence in their midst. It was a painful time, marked by persecution and exile. Many images associated with Advent, including the lighting of the Advent candles, signify the movement from darkness and despair to light and hope.

As Becky, her parents, and I were praying together this morning, Becky’s mom reflected that this painful season – the past few years, and this past year in particular – has been Becky’s Advent. She has been waiting, oftentimes experiencing deep darkness and despair because of her pain. Today is Becky’s Christmas Day – the day she has been waiting for with hopeful expectation of God’s healing miracle. Today is the day where we mark the dawning of a new light in Becky’s life. Beginning today, Becky will be able to experience life without the torture of chronic pancreatitis and the pain associated with it.

However, like the Christian journey, there is no promise that the road going forward will be easy and without its challenges. We are realistic about the painful 3-6 month recovery from this surgery. We understand that Becky is trading in an unmanageable disease for a manageable one as she will go from having chronic pancreatitis to having diabetes. We know that our lives will change, and Becky will days of limited energy.

Yet, also like the Christian journey, we aren’t walking this path alone. We have found tremendous care and a wonderful facility at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). Our doctors, nurses, and technicians have all gone above and beyond to show compassion, care, and competence as we’ve explored this procedure as an option. We are thankful to be surrounded by loving family – both near and far – who have been nothing but supportive. As I write this, I am sitting with Becky’s parents, Sue and Ed, who are committed to being here to help me and Becky as she recovers.

We are also exceedingly blessed by our church families. The congregation of Sea Island Presbyterian Church where I am currently serving as an Associate Pastor could not be more loving and supportive. Even though we have only been here for a few months, they have claimed us as their own, and we feel like they are our extended family. We are also lovingly prayed for and supported by our former church families from First Presbyterian Church in Lancaster, PA and St. James Presbyterian Church in Mechanicsburg, PA. The people who make up these fellowships have continued to bless us with cards, emails, calls, and prayers during our transitions and continue to hold us close in their hearts as we undergo this trial.

It is just about 8 a.m. as I write this. Becky’s procedure began about 20 minutes ago. It’s going to be a long day. The surgery is estimated to last 8-10 hours. They are currently working on removing Becky’s pancreas, spleen, and part of her stomach. Following this part of the procedure, Becky’s pancreas will be taken to a lab in order to harvest her islet cells. Becky will be moved to a surgical ICU room where she will remain unconscious. After the islet cells are harvested, Becky will go back into the operating room so they can transplant the cells into her liver which will eventually begin to produce insulin and glucagon to help her body regulate sugar. We are indeed “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14). We are so thankful for the science, technology, and skill that God has given that is making this day possible.

As I said above, this is the dawning of a new light in Becky’s life as she realizes the potential to begin living a more normal life free from the bondage of physical pain. The journey here has been difficult, and we thank you all for the part you played in making it bearable. The journey ahead will have its own challenges, and we praise God because we know you are all gifts that will help us make it through. Thank you all. Keep your prayers coming.

Blessings and Answers to Prayer Leading Up to Surgery

Dearest faithful friends and family,

I have debated about sending out another email, but there have been so many blessings and answers to prayer in the past month that I have to share a few.  Your partnership in prayer has meant the world to me.

I had the best birthday EVER.  I had very minimal pain during the day and enjoyed lunch and dinner in the homes of our new church family.  Not only did families open up their homes, but prepared delicious Gluten-free meals that included chocolate lava cake.  I received over 100 birthday cards in the mail and quite a few from individuals I have never met.  All of the cards said they were thinking about me and/or praying for me.  I have kept all of the cards and enjoy holding them all at once in my hands.  To me it is a symbol of the outpouring of prayer.  I also received many e-cards, emails, texts and phone calls.  I have never felt so loved!  It was also during my birthday celebration that I realized I have 4 budding, close friendships in my new community.  This is a miracle.  Making friends within 3 months of moving to a new community is impressive, but for God to orchestrate this while I am feeling icky is supernatural! (This is a huge answer to prayer – thank you for praying!)

God was gracious once again to allow me to enjoy Christmas with minimal pain.  Our church participated in something called Advent Conspiracy.  The tag line was, “Christmas is not your birthday.”  The congregation was challenged to match however much we spent on Christmas gifts for friends and family with gifts for Jesus (giving to “the least of these”.)  Our congregation was encouraged to give funds to the local food bank, an organization that provides clean water around the world, or another organization that benefits “the least of these”.  I am humbled to say this was my first Christmas where my focus was on giving to the least of these.  This Christmas was the most low-stress and joy-filled, making it my favorite Christmas yet.

As previously mentioned I have been flooded with answers to prayers and miracles.  In the month of December I recorded over 400 praises in my gratitude journal.  This is not to say that December did not include heartache and pain.  They were present, but God’s presence was never absent.  I recently read in the devotional, The Cup of Our Life, that sorrow and joy are sisters in the same house. (Side note: this devotional has calmed me down and centered me on my most anxious days – this is no small feat!  I highly recommend it.)

The recorded praises included items on sale at the grocery store that we needed to a neighbor sucking up our leaves to holding a baby to hearing from a friend about an answer to their prayers.  I won’t list all 400+ praised, but I have a few highlights that I cannot keep to myself.

I received a check in the mail from a prayer warrior to cover my surgery expense.  A few days later, I received a bill from the hospital saying before I can have surgery they must receive in full my medical deductable.  The way my insurance works I have deductable and then insurance covers 80% up to a point and then the insurance covers 100%.  We were expecting to pay our medical expenses after the surgery, so not only the check, but the timing of the check, was divine.  My surgery is estimated to cost over $115,000 and between insurance and this generous gift from an individual, it is paid in full.  Can I get an Amen?!

I also received two handmade pillowcases from someone I have never met.  The name of the fabric is Heavenly Peace.  Thus, I will be resting my head on Heavenly Peace and holding Heavenly Peace in my arms.  (Holding a pillow against your abdomen after surgery helps reduce the pain when one sneezes or coughs.)  In addition, pillowcases have comforted me when Jack and I have been apart.  He has sprayed them with his cologne so I wouldn’t feel alone.  Only God knew all of these details.

This past Sunday my husband, Jack, was installed at our new church.  (A worship service similar to an ordination service to make official the accepted call of a pastor to serve a church.)  Unfortunately, last Thursday Jack spiked a fever and began vomiting.  Praise be to God Jack felt well enough to participate and enjoy the celebration and milestone on Sunday.  Dear friends from Lancaster, the Hacketts (Don, Rila and their son Colin), not only joined us for the celebration, but were part of the service.  Don and Rila have been mentors to Jack and me for years and have supported and encouraged us from low points in life when hope felt completely absent to our most joyous day when Don married us.  There was something tremendously special about having people from our past supporting and launching us into our future ministry.

Birthdays, Christmas, and Installation consumed my thoughts and energy.  This is also a praise.  We did not choose the installation date, but God made it possible for me to be present and gave me an additional distraction before surgery.  During the installation the reality of my upcoming surgery hit.  What better place than church to fall apart.  My Lancaster church family (represented by the Hacketts) and my new church family embraced me in my brokenness. 

Sunday evening Don and Rila gave Jack and me a tremendous gift (backing up a second they had already traveled, been flexible with Jack’s health, preached and played music at the service).  Don and Rila asked 4 simple questions and listened.

1)      How can we pray for you?

2)      What Scripture had spoken to you recently?

3)      What are your future hopes and dreams that we could pray for? (this question was particularly hard, because for the past year pain and illness has shattered many of our hopes and dreams)

4)      What would be helpful?

These questions really made me think and I continue to ponder them.  I wonder if you would be willing to reflect on these questions and share them with a close friend. 

Being helpful is different for each person.  It is not fair to expect others to be mind readers.  I have two requests:

1)      Prayer – prayers for healing, for minimal pain, for strength and courage (right now I feel terrified), for support for my caretakers, for the doctors, nurses and staff that will be caring for me, and my greatest request is that God would be glorified through this surgery and recovery.  (FYI - The surgery is scheduled to begin at 8 AM this Thursday (Jan 10^th) and last between 8 and 10 hours.)

2)      Cards of encouragement.  I would love to hear answers to prayers in your life and where you have seen God at work.  For example, a friend shared a story of needing bookcases and finding beautiful ones, but she could not afford them.  On her way exiting the store the same model bookcases were on clearance because of a small imperfection.  Or a lyric from a song that touched you – a friend shared the line from a song that went something like “when times are dry our roots run deep”.  Also sharing Scripture or a quote and how it has touched you.  Hearing how you are encouraged (in whatever form that takes), encouraged me.  Snail mail is the most helpful. E-mail overwhelms me right now.

I am told that the next 3 months are going to be rough and in 6 months I should be well enough to look for employment.  Hallelujah! 

Jack will be posting updates here on this blog.  We look forward to sharing how God is answering prayers.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers.

Blessings and love to you in this new year,

Becky