Family Reunion

Much has happened since Dad’s last post, and I (Allison) asked him if I could write an update for all our friends who have continued to pray, even when you did not have specific details on Dad’s condition. We have felt your prayers through God’s sustaining hand as we navigated the last few weeks.

On Nov. 3, Dad had outpatient surgery to place a G-tube, or gastrostomy tube, that delivers nutrition and some medications directly into his stomach. This will address his drastic weight loss over the last year and the difficulty the sores in his mouth have caused with eating. He is still able to eat and drink as he pleases and is tolerating the G-tube well, in his body and his spirit.

On Nov. 4, Mom had knee replacement surgery. Everything went well, and she seems to be right on track, meaning she is in pain! We have a lot of support from family and friends to keep up with PT for her and follow-up and routine appointments for both Mom and Dad. They are good sports about us hovering and reminding them of medications and the like. Our spreadsheet to cover shifts at their home is titled “Family Reunion,” and it has been just that. Though we wish the reason for our reunion were different, we are reminded every day that family is a gift, including our friends that are family, and that our bonds are the fruit of the foundation Mom and Dad have laid together through the years.

Dad’s most recent post here was about his hospitalization because of elevated ammonia in his blood and its cognitive effects. He continues to take the medicine that has helped reduce and stabilize the ammonia level. So when Dad’s confusion increased rapidly again over the last six weeks or so, we made an appointment with his neurologist here in Rome, whom he hasn’t seen since last summer. Before we made it to that appointment, his latest infusion on Nov. 4 (yes, just one day after his G-tube placement and the same day as Mom’s surgery) was canceled due to his confusion observed in the clinic. His oncologist wanted to wait to see the results of his routine scans and what a consult with a neurologist would reveal. We were thankful to have the appointment already scheduled with the neurologist for the next day.

Dad has since completed more bloodwork and an EEG and his last routine scan on Saturday, so once those results are in, his doctors will consult and the next step will be clear.

We ask for prayers for wisdom for Dad’s neurologist, who is persistent in understanding what is happening with what he called Dad’s “perplexing” case; for Mom’s continued healing and good rest as she recovers; that we would all choose grace in the hard moments and in doing so display Christ’s love in our hearts and remind each other of our hope.

Thank you, family, for praying!