So here's the deal...

It''s been a while since I posted a new blog. But I've got a good reason. I've been SICK!

We went back to Macon on Wednesday the 13th to get the results of my Stress Test. "We were not able to see proper blood flow at the bottom of the heart. We need to do a heart catheterization to check it out".

OH JOY! It is scheduled for Monday the 18th at 1:30.

Wednesday night, I experience pain more intense than that of my gallbladder attack the Monday morning before my Cholecsystectomy. At midnight, Sarah says, "Take one of the Nitro pills, that's why you have them". One NitroQuick under the tongue. Pain remains. Five minutes later, the second NitroQuick, pain remains. In the meantime, we are dressing to head to the hospital per the instructions on the Rx for the NitroQuick. Hours later, x-ray and blood-work and Toradol shot for the pain - I am given a prescription for Naproxen. NAPROXEN??? that's Aleve...

We place a call to the family doctor, after two hours sleep in the recliner on the heat pad. When we get there at 9:30, they have the name and address of an Endocrinologist in Macon.

By the way, when you are stopped by the Georgia State Patrol with your flasher flashing, going 82 mph in a 65 zone and look as sick as I did - the first thing he will ask you is "Do you want me to call an ambulance?" With the advice to 'slow down a bit and be careful', we were back on our way.

We get to the Endocrinologist shortly after 11 o'clock. The Physician Assistant orders liver function test and ultrasound to confirm the diagnoses that I feared some four weeks earlier. I have a stone blocking my bile duct.

Shortly before noon, I am in a hospital gown and waiting in the Surgery Center of the Medical Center of Central Georgia. Two IV's established, blood drawn and at 1 o'clock, I am taken to Ultrasound.

I said to the Ultrasound Tech, "I know you can't tell me what you saw, but there is a reason for me being in all this pain. Right?"

"Yes, let's just say, something is stuck that needs unsticking."

PAIN!!! Pain like I have never experience before. And I cannot have anything for it. Says the nurse in the Surgery Center, "If we give you anything for pain, it will further constrict the bile duct and make it more difficult for the doctor when you go to surgery." Oh, let's make it easy for the doctor, shall we????
We wait, and wait and wait. Between 4:00 and 4:30 the pain peaked. I didn't know it at the time but I was passing the ROCK through my bile duct on my own. Sarah was sitting on the side of my bed holding me, telling me to not hold in my yells. I let loose a scream or three, but then I thought of something. My Lord suffered, He suffered beyond anything we will ever endure. Then I thought of something else. Before we left home, Sarah called one of our church family. They were praying for us. I started. Mrs. Lois, Mrs. Christine, Dennis, Lisa, Melissa, Amanda, little Sami...... I started on the right rows of pews and I named each and every one of the CHURCH FAMILY that were praying for us. I let my mind concentrate on those that were back in Telfair County, with us on their minds.

At 6:30, I am finally taken to the Operating Room. The room is lined with as many electronic instruments, screens and computers as needed for the launch of the Space Shuttle. And I remember nothing else...

I wake up in Recovery. Sarah is brought to me shortly thereafter. It is confirmed; rips, tears and abrasions were present in my bile duct where the ROCK made its exit. The doctors repair and angioplasty the duct. After a while, I was taken to the Medical Observation Suite (one step up from ICU). Sarah insures that I will be well taken care of and is given phone numbers to reach the nurses. She heads back home for some much needed rest.

I watch the Olympics on the TV hanging on the wall and am given something for pain... I don't sleep!

Morning brings breakfast: Clear broth, lemon Jello and a Sprite. I eat the Jello and drink some of the Sprite. The broth - bleeeck!

Lunch: Tomato soup, more lemon Jello, orange like juice stuff and some (it would have been better - colder) Vanilla "shake" in a carton. Remember those 8 oz. milk cartons at school??? The Tomato soup felt so good to my sore throat where all the camera, light and probes when down during the Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). Sarah arrives back at the hospital shorty before lunch and helps me get set up to eat.

Then I slept, the last pain medicine was pumped into my IV about 10 o'clock. I sleep while Sarah reads from her Bible. We waited and I slept some more. Finally about 6:30 the Physician Assistant arrives with my chart in hand while I am finishing the last of my supper - again, Tomato soup! My liver enzymes are still high, white blood count is still elevated but I am able to walk and eat without upchucking! WE GET TO GO HOME.

Much slower this trip!!! As we approach, the Northwest corner of the family farm - two whitetail does are standing in the middle of the road in front of the neighbor's pond. We stop in the road as close as we dare, and watch. Then two spotted fawns jump from the bank of the opposite side to join their mothers.

We are Home. Sweet, Home!