Not So Good

I wish I could give you all better news, but its just not happening right now. The test revealed another small leak. These leaks are all due to radiation damage of the tissue. Our main surgeon is out of town until Wednesday afternoon. We are going to regroup and come up with another plan of action. Our first priority is getting Travis home. We strongly feel that Travis will heal better at home rather than the hospital. We truly did not anticipate this long of an ordeal, and I guess we are learning the lesson of God's timing.

Same ol', Same ol'

I'm kind of running out ways to say the same thing, but I know that many of you are wondering how Trav is doing. So here goes - He is doing OK. Hey, it could be better - he could be kickin' it in the lazy boy watching a little HD TV! His numbers (white blood count, heart rate, chest drainage) are all still in the normal range. The next test will be Monday, if all goes well they'll take the nose tube out on Tuesday and he can start eating and drinking on Wednesday. If you ask me, that's when the real "test" is. So far, all the tests have come back clear, it's when he starts eating that trouble starts.

Say a little prayer for Trav's spirits - will ya? As I said last week, he's tired of getting knocked around.

Thanks to all those who have pitched in for us lately. Words can't say how much you've touched our hearts.

Playing Tag With 5 Things You Don't Know About Me

1. My dream job is to be an auto parts delivery girl. How great would that be?! The only stress you would have is traffic.

2. I have a terrible memory. At first, Travis would get really frustrated when he started a story off by "Remember when . . . " and I'd look at him with a blank stare. But now, he just deals with it. I can't remember many things from my childhood, nor things that happened last Tuesday. And lately, all the days are running together. So, if I owe someone money, a favor or whatever, please tell me, I've probably forgotten and need to pay you back!

3. I'm reading the Bible. And I must say, I know the reason why they call it "The Good Book", its because its a good book! Great stories about Jesus, miracles, forgiveness, hope, on and on.

4. I love to people watch. Sitting at the airport waiting for someone to arrive doesn't bother me a bit. It's a bonus when I see a semi-famous person from the local area. I sometimes see local newscasters, etc. My latest "spot" was the Bishop of the Salt Lake Dioceses.

5. This might not be a surprise, but I like quotes. Although I can't remember most of them (see #2 above) I still enjoy reading them. I was excited to find that the new interior design rage is vinyl lettering. In Travis' hospital room, I put up a new quote every day. I know I've done good when he says, "Good one, Babe."

Holdin' Our Breath

Surgery number 3 (in case anyone has lost count) went well. The doctor tried something different this time. He pulled some tissue from the rib over to where the leak was, therefore, giving it a blood supply to help it heal.

I'm starting to think that surgeons are glorified mechanics. One of the nurses wished we could give Travis some fix-a-flat! If only it would be that easy. Nothing comes easy when you are dealing with the big C.

Travis' spirits are certainly taking a hit. You know, his whole life is devoted to us. The kids and I are his #1 priority, no question! So, when he sits in the hospital, he has many hours to think and wonder what he's missing. No matter how often I tell him, "Things are fine or it's been taken care of . . " He still is worried about us. When he gets home he's gonna see that it was all good on the home front. Hey - I'm an independent girl - I can handle things, plus I'm not doing it on my own - I have help. But dammit, he better hurry home, this is getting old. (JK)

So, we are in Week 5 of the hospital stay. Travis' white blood count is improving, heart rate looks good, things seem to be going in the right direction. The next test will be either next Friday or the Monday after that. Until then we are holdin' our breath and lookin' up for help.

Third Time's a Charm?

The leak is back. Travis will go into surgery again for the third time in less than a month. I'm beginning to think that this blog is not giving us the best of luck. Every time I post a good thing, something happens that sends us right back where we started.

We are handling this the best we can and trying to hold it all together.

I know you'll keep us in your thoughts...

Keepin' Our Fingers Crossed

Yesterday another study was performed to see if Travis' second leak was healing. And yes, it was. Whew! We are so relieved! His doctor wants to progress slowly and cautiously as he begins to let Travis start drinking and eating. He did remove that irritating nose tube today. Travis immediately felt better - no more sore throats and he actually had free range of motion with his head and neck.

The kids and I are doing fine. I am still doing the daily trek to Salt Lake every morning. Keith and Linda go up and stay with Travis in the afternoons. The kids go down on the weekends. We all miss Travis very much.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and prayers! They most definitely do work!

Leaks Happen

Unfortunately we can't seem to be catching a break lately. Trav went in for his test yesterday and they found another leak. His doctor does not want to go into surgery this time, he would like to wait and see if it will heal on its own. We will not find out if it has until next Wednesday or Thursday.

As you might expect, Travis is very unhappy. We all are. He is anxious to come home and we can't wait for the day he steps through the back door.

The passed two and a half weeks have not been easy for us. Travis had not shaved since he entered the hospital. I know he didn't expect to be there this long and figured he would shave when he was released. And although, he had a pretty cool looking beard growing in, today he decided to shaved it. The chest tubes and his nose tube are his biggest complaints. He no longer needs the strong narcotics for pain. He receives his calories and nutrients through the IV and J-Tube (feeding tube) and hasn't lost a whole lot of weight, but he has lost muscle tone from not being active.

Travis has come so far, and getting through this surgery has been tough, painful, frustrating, and scary. However, we know we will get through it, somehow.