After being home for 3 days after my 2nd trip to the hospital with complications from the colonic resection surgery, I started having the same problems again. This time, the doctor did a ct scan and found what seemed to be a kink. The only way it could be fixed was to do surgery again. The doctor said recuperation would be extremely hard on my body, having just had major surgery 2 weeks prior but I hadn’t been able to keep anything down for 1 1/2 weeks now and my body was so very weak from serious malnutrition. I’d lost 25 lbs. in the past 2 weeks. So the next day we went back in to surgery and afterwards, the doctor said it was actually a series of kinks – kinda like I had tried to make balloon animals with my large intestine…he fixed me up and now I’m in ICU. The recuperation is very slow. I’m just glad I was in good health when all this started. I can’t wait to eat mexican food and have some margaritas when this is all over with!

Well, the Dr was satisfied enough with my extra credit work that I put in and he is letting me go home today. I’m a bit nervous about how things will progress at home just because I haven’t really eaten in several days.
But home is always better! What an experience this has been from someone who has never spent a night in a hospital until this month. And now my Bentonville Medical Center Frequent Stay points are up to 13 nights.

Once again, I cannot express how wonderful the outreach has been. It has made a huge difference in having something to look forward to each and every day. Thanks again to each of you.I will continue to post on my progress from home.

But it’s slow. I finally got my NG Tube out (thank God) yesterday. Still having some difficulties with the proper “flow” of thinks. Looks like I’m going to be here at the hospital for a couple of more days while the Dr’s observe how things progress.

Amanda (pic) is a nurse student that was working ICU the 3 days that I was in it just before my surgery and she came by to visit me last night. The staff here has really been wonderful.

The notes and comments have been fantastic prompting laughter out loud on several occasions yesterday. Thanks again for all of the thoughts and prayers!

After my very short visit home, I’m back at the hospital with some type of blockage. The way it is described to me is that the bowels diced that they want to go nappy nap again. So I was admitted again on Friday and I am still awaiting my fate (test after test). I’ts been a very difficult past few days due to the fact that I have been suffering with cramps and nausea the entire time. They are keeping everything pumped off my stomach via the dreadded NG Tube (be sure and put that at the top of your “no thanks” list).

I’m not sure yet when I’m coming home — soon I hope. I miss my girls

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers!

Wow, what a week. February 6th, 2008 is the first birthday of my second daughter, as well as the day that I found out that I had colon cancer. At 34 years old, father of two and a guy who takes pretty good care of himself — to say that this was a shock would be a huge understatement. It was a flat out kick to the nuts.

I am early in this now life long process but I have already learned so much. Not about cancer, chemotherapy, treatments or anything. But about family, friends and support. When something like this happens to you, news travels fast and you quickly realize that there are a lot of people that truly care about you and are willing to jump in and help out wherever they can. Thanks to each and every one of you who offered prayers, thoughts, stories and support. Thanks to my immediate family for putting all of your individual lives on hold to support me unconditionally – without question I have the most wonderful family in the world. With all of your ongoing support we will make it through this one day at a time.

I have also learned early in this process that no matter how in control that you think you are in life, you are merely a passenger my friend. Life is a train and God is laying down the tracks. Surround yourself with wonderful passengers as I have and enjoy the ride.

I will be posting updates from time to time as I walk through this so hang in there and thanks again for your support.