SPCU (special procedures care unit) room 12 is my room. For some reason, I always get assigned to that room. Next time I think I will bring a little plaque to put on the doorway so everyone knows.
Today, they drained 700 ml from my lungs after only 70 hours. That is a lot for such a short time! That means the fluid is producing faster and faster.
As soon as the Dr. confirmed with the ultrasound machine that I was as dry as possible, he pulled my chest tube out. I am chest tube free!
Now we need to pray that my incision will heal up at the top where the chest tube went in and that we will figure out if it’s best to put a permanent catheter or if I should keep going in and having my lung drained.
It’s hard to decide what to do.
The catheter is permanent. They put them in. They do not take them out. I would have it for the rest of my life. It was hard to hear the doctor talk about how they only do that for patients when it’s getting closer to the end of their life. They don’t plan for it to be in for years. That’s the native side of the catheter. The positive side is that I could drain it whenever I need to and would not have to go in.
The other option is to keep going in and having it drained. This involves a COVID test (12 hours to get results) or if there’s no time for me to have that, they have to treat me like I have COVID. That isn’t the end of the world, just more work for them and possible COVID exposure for me. Every time they do that procedure, there is a risk of a little air getting in like this last time, and then I would need a chest tube again…..which would then fill up quickly with liquid…lots of complications with that if I am producing as much liquid as I think I am.
We know there is a surgical option as well, but Dr. Leung does not recommend it based on what he has seen it do to other patients.
I am so thankful for the knowledgeable radiologists we are working with. The nurse we had today was wonderful as well. Her name was Alex. She was so kind and caring and gave me time and held my hand when she knew I just needed a little extra time to think before answering a question.
I’m doing okay tonight. My breathing is not fabulous. But I’m sure I’m already filling up with liquid. They did a chest x-ray before I left and everything looked good. So I’m home for now and I know what to keep an eye on.
The discussions that Tom and I are having to have are so difficult. Today we talked about where I would want to be buried and those kind of things. He just mentioned that at some point we needed to talk about it, and since we were sitting there alone in my special room 12 of the SPCU, why not just get it out of the way and do it then, right? So that’s one less discussion we now have to have. Glad that’s over.
I know that as this disease progresses my blog posts will get harder to read. If you subscribe to my blog by email please know that I will not be offended if you unsubscribe and don’t want to hear about it at 8:00 in your inbox at night. You can always go straight to the blog. Or you can always just check in occasionally and pray. The Lord knows what’s going on.
From the beginning I said I would be transparent and I don’t want to stop that now. I hope and pray that by sharing what’s going on with our family, it will somehow help someone else in the future.
As you pray for our family, please pray that we will all sleep well tonight. I am thankful I am home and can sleep in my own bed! My dad and Else just arrived up here for a 5-day visit. Please pray that our visit will be relaxing and please pray for quality time together. Will you also please pray that the chemo will do it’s job and that the cancer cells will die and that my body will stop producing so much fluid. Thanks!
Prayers are an absolute and I’m very glad you’re home. Sending peace and love. xoxo, Shanna
The prayers are never stopping, Jennifer. God wakes me up to pray for you, or doesn’t let me go to sleep until the wee hours of the morning. Besides praying for your specific requests, I am praying for your physical comfort, complete peace in your decision-making, and that you will feel at ease talking about your next home in heaven, however long it is until you get there. You are preparing for the journey. You are in the birth canal. God will decide when it’s time to wait/breathe and when it’s time to push. Try to remember that even though you don’t want to leave, you will have a wonderful outcome and God will take care of each one of your family members, too. He will see you all through. Use this time to soak in His love. (and ours.) <3
judy
Praying for you, dear friend. Love and hugs to you! Thanks for sharing this journey with us. ❤️
I read every post, and pray for you all even though I don’t usually comment. Just wanted you to know.
Thankful you are home
I you will have a wonderful visit with your dad.
Praying for God to hear your prayer requests and bring peace and joy to all.
I’m along for the ride my friend! Whatever twists and turns your journey takes I’m going to still pray for you and yours… thank you for your heartfelt posts, it helps to know what to pray for specifically… hugs and prayers for a restful night tonight❤
Oh friend, thank you for both you’re transparency and specifics to pay for. I feel that whenever I read this, 8:00 at night or 5:00 in the morning, God knows that’s when you need prayed over. I love you and am continuing to pray for His complete healing! May your family feel his calmness and peace tonight and bless you with a good nights rest.
We prayed for you tonight Jennifer. So, so difficult. Hugs
I’m not leaving, I am here to stay connected to you. I wish I could do more things for you, but you will always have my prayers and love. Be strong my friend and let God carry you with His love and grace.
Praying and praying some more. I wish I had a book like this when Alpha was going through all this.
My heart is hurting for you and your family. I’m so thankful that your dad is able to be with you. I pray you have a comforting visit with him. Praying you will sense the loving presence of God carrying you and your family through this very difficult experience.
Sweet Jennifer, my heart carries your requests to our loving Lord and Savior. May He brighten your day and give special moments with your family. ❤️
Jennifer, I am so sorry that the road you are walking is such a difficult one. We are committed to praying for you and your family! You are a gift to us all and I just pray that you sense the Lord’s presence with you as you face these trials❤
Jennifer, I’m so glad your Dad is able to be with you and pray you are able to relax and enjoy the time together. I ask Jesus to heal you, to perform a miracle that He has been known to do!! I know that you have endured insurmountable pain and hardship but decided to surrender it all to Jesus and His will for you. You are a blessing to many and reading your posts help me to grow deeper in my faith. I pray for you and your Family daily. Thank you for being transparent and sharing your journey through cancer. I may be a distant relative, ( my grandmother is Beatty Conver) I may have never met you in person, but that doesn’t matter because we will always be sisters in Christ! sending lots of love, hugs and prayers to you!
Glad you are home Jennifer. Continual prayers as always and sending you a BIG hug.
Praying for you every day and through the watches of the night! May His peace reside in your soul and be the lifter of your head as you approach every decision with a need to be practical even though these are very difficult days. Gary and I have continually been amazed with the grace with which you approach your cancer as it daily evolves into another set back. Yet always being grateful for any good news. You continue to blog and keep us all informed as to how to pray for you, Tom and your precious girls. Thank you for the privilege of being a part of your life these last 5 years! We remain importunate in our prayers ❤️⚓️
I echo the comments of Judy Jansen and Lisa – they have both expressed so beautifully the thoughts in my own heart. Thank you for the incredible privilege of walking this journey with you and lifting you up to the Father. Please continue to share your thoughts as you are able and we will continue to hold you in our prayers. SO glad that your Dad and Else are with you – praying for an extra special time with them. Else has become a VERY dear friend to me and I know she will help your Dad deal with whatever the Lord has in store for your family in the coming days. Much, much love and Big Hugs
We never stop praying for you,Tom and the girls . Praying for some great sleep. Praying for a relaxing visit with your Dad . God bless you Jennifer . Lots of hugs coming your way
Dear Jennifer – as with everyone, we will continue to pray for all that’s involved with procedures, tubes, breathing and for your family as they go through this with you. Praying for God to give you the continued strength and courage to meet every new complication with the grace and trust you have been doing through this entire journey.
Love you and praying!
I just saw this post although I have been praying for you and your family all along. My heart hurts for you and your family and all that you are going through. Praying that you will feel especially close to the Lord and that His strength and grace will sustain you. Thank you for being so honest and transparent. I did see your photos from a later post and loved the pictures of the family and your new wig looks fabulous. I’m so glad your Dad was able to visit and that you all had a wonderful time.
Love,
Jan
❤️ continued prayers for you & your family, always!!