Home for a Little Bit

Friday's test showed that Travis' 2mm size leak has not healed. But thanks to the amazing staff at Salt Lake Regional, Travis was able to come home over this past holiday weekend. What a blessing it was! The case managers surprised us on Friday afternoon that all had been cleared with our insurance to give Trav a break and let him come home for a bit.

We brought him home on Saturday afternoon, a home nurse came over and showed us how to give him his meds, etc and left us alone!! Yay, no nurses or doctors!

Travis' took to the recliner not skipping a beat and started watching the car races. I wouldn't be surprised if that leak healed up while he was home! You can't underestimate the power of family and home and where it can take you.

Last Thursday, our doctor said that he had a "rep" call and talked to him about a stent that can be inserted into the esophagus by endoscopy to patients where surgery is not an option and the tumor is blocking food/liquids to pass through the esophagus. Our dr asked, "Can this be used to help a leak heal?" and the rep said, "Yes." Our dr started calling physicians out-of-state who have tried this procedure and they told him that they believe it would work. This could be the answer to our prayers.

Tomorrow, the rep is coming to town to assist our doctor in the procedure. Since it is done by scope, no surgery is required. The stent will be temporary to allow the tissue to heal and then removed again by scope. We have done some investigation on the internet, actually Angie has :), and it looks very encouraging.

We had a conversation with our doctor a few weeks ago. And we told him that, of course, we are disappointed that Travis' surgery has not gone as planned. Who could have foreseen the complications we have had to deal with? No one. But we ultimitley believe that Travis was diagnosed with cancer for a reason and that was to help others. And if our doctor can use Travis' case to help others with radiated damaged tissue then this experience is not all for nothing.