First, I am home. I was released from the hospital yesterday (Tuesday, May 19) about 11:30 AM.
Secondly, I want to say “THANK YOU” to all of you who have prayed for Beth and me during my surgery and hospitalization. Many of you have pledged to pray for my recovery. Thank you for that and PLEASE CONTINUE! It will take a while!
Now for a few details on my surgery and results. My surgeon stated that my first surgery (August 2014) did not heal well. This resulted in the necessary hernia repair and many adhesions that he needed to deal with in this surgery. The primary task of the surgery, however, was the removal of the tumorous section (about six inches) of my small intestine (or bowel). This section was “downstream” from my previous surgery. Dr. Johnson indicated it was nearly two feet along from my August 2014 surgery.
For you medical types, you’ll be glad to know that Dr. Johnson “ran the whole bowel” (his words), searching for additional tumors. For you non-medical types, don’t think about that too long.
The results were the removal of a tumor of about four centimeters. No other tumors were found. Dr. Johnson also removed the mesentery connected to the removed section. He also removed two lymph nodes. The pathology report revealed the tumor to be metastatic melanoma. This was expected. The first lymph node, which was in the connected mesentery also tested positive for melanoma. The second lymph node, further away, and presumably “next in line,” (I’ve learned this is a judgment call), tested negative. All in all, Dr. Johnson believes this is good news, and that for now, we “got it all.”
Dr. Johnson was also pretty well convinced that to some degree this tumor was also present when I had surgery last August, but went undetected. Lest that disturb you too much, I would remind you that the endoscopy that revealed the August 2014 tumors could not possibly have found a tumor nearly two feet further downstream in the small intestine. My understanding is an endoscopy cannot go that far. Also, Dr. Johnson was not working from a recent PET scan that “might” have revealed it. In fact, neither did a September 2014 PET scan, nor a December CT scan reveal it. He felt it was there though because he feels it highly unlikely that a new tumor grew to four centimeters in nine months.
Because of the location of this tumor, the surgical procedure itself was less complicated for Dr. Johnson. It still seems to have complicated our lives, though! However, I believe the “less complicated” is already helping with my recovery. I believe things are coming along a little more quickly this time around, but I am trying to go slowly (not really a difficult task). I am still very sore and I am convinced that I had a role in the last surgery “not healing well” by overdoing—probably everything.
Meanwhile, wonderful things are happening! We are looking forward to the arrival of our fourth grandchild, Ellie Catherine to Jonathan and Anna, within days or weeks! And perhaps another surprise to be announced later. Healing will continue and I’ll return to work in a few weeks. And then, of course, Sebring Camp Meeting comes again in July where I’ll be serving as President for the 25th consecutive year and leading the Bible Study.
Thanks so much to all of you for standing with us in prayer! It’s wonderful to know in the words of Carman, that “God’s Got An Army” surrounding us with love, prayers, concern, and support!
God's got an army, not afraid to fight
Soldiers of the Cross and children of the light
Warriors of righteousness with healing in their hands
God's got an army marching through the land
Let me hear your war cry, hey
Let me hear your war cry, hey
We're a people with ears to hear and hearts to respond
To spiritual needs of the nation
We're a showcase of what He'll do when we are strong
In Jesus to a whole generation
The world won't be the same tomorrow
Because we're here today
The kingdom of hell is gonna feel sorrow
'Cause our war cry is worship and praise
God's got an army, not afraid to fight
Soldiers of the Cross and children of the light
Warriors of righteousness with healing in their hands
God's got an army marching through the land
Let me hear your war cry, hey
Come on now, let me hear a war cry, hey
The apostles and profits are speaking forth
The flames of revival, well, they are burning
Like old Joshua, well, went marchin' out to possess
And there's no way our minds will be turning
There's joy in the battle so we commence
To change this nation's course
The kingdom of God is suffering violence
And now violence taken by force
(Taken by force)
God's got an army, not afraid to fight
Soldiers of the Cross and children of the light
Warriors of righteousness with healing in their hands
God's got an army marching to the land
Let me hear your war cry, hey
Come on now, let me hear a war cry, hey
I'm a soldier
(In the army of the Lord)
I'm a soldier
(In the army of the Lord)
I'm a soldier
(In the army of the Lord)
I'm a soldier
(In the army of the Lord)
We're not afraid to stand and fight
(We're not afraid to stand and fight)
We cast out demons left and right
(We cast out demons left and right)
We're strong in battle, strong in prayer
(We're strong in battle, strong in prayer)
We tell Satan, get out of here
(We tell Satan, get out of here)
Sound off
(Jesus)
Sound off
(Is Lord)
Sound off
(Jesus is lord, Jesus is Lord)
