The Lewis County Herald  – 2/14/23

Twenty short weeks ago I sat down to write about the first steps of this journey. In that first installment I wrote that I didn’t know the important details and the outcome of the story that I would share with you.

While this isn’t the end of the journey, it is one of those important details that was unknown when we took that first step.

As this edition of The Herald is going to press and being distributed, Tammy and I are preparing for a procedure to reverse the ileostomy I received on September 27 when the surgeon removed my colon and the cancerous mass within.

The prep for this surgery isn’t quite as involved as for the original surgery because the territory to be cleansed isn’t as expansive as it was prior to that original surgery.

I recently visited the hospital where the surgery is scheduled to have some pre-admission tests. All went well and the results of the EKG and blood tests were within acceptable ranges.

Did I mention that when I showed up at the hospital for those tests, I was informed I was there on the wrong date.

I had received detailed written instructions in the mail, which I readily produced to indicate I was indeed there on the correct date and some 40 minutes before the appointed time.

It took them a bit to round up the personnel to perform the tests, and summon an anesthesiologist to review the plans for my scheduled procedure.

We double checked our schedules for the procedure. They matched.

The hospital set me up with several delicious immunonutrition shakes to be consumed in the days leading up to the procedure along with some clear pre-surgery carbohydrate drinks.

They also sent me home with several packets of skin prep cloths to help prepare for my visit to the OR where the surgeon will connect everything up so I will no longer need to have an artificial appliance attached to my belly.

While I won’t be as good as new, I’ll at least be operating with original equipment.

Since we made the decision to chronicle this journey, I have heard from several who have been following and thanked me for sharing our experiences.

Some have said they made the choice to have a colonoscopy and others told me they asked their doctors for a non-invasive test.

Most said their tests were negative with a few reporting they had received diagnoses of varying degrees.

By all indications, my cancerous mass was found early. I had no symptoms and no family history.

The outpouring of prayers and support from family, church family, friends, and our community has played no small part in the favorable outcome of this chapter. I am certain that God heard and answered those prayers.

Tammy hasn’t reinstated my marker privileges since the “Have a Nice Day” incident on the day of my original surgery.

I do have a blue Sharpie fine point that isn’t completely dried out I keep in the tool drawer. I don’t want the surgical team to be disappointed to find a blank slate when we meet in the OR.

I ask for continued prayers and support as Tammy and I prepare for this procedure, which the surgeon said would last for a couple of hours followed by a few days in the hospital.

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