Today (Thursday) Gene had his second surgical procedure with the goal of removing a gall stone stuck in his bile duct and inserting a stent to stop the leakage of bile into his abdomen. They weren’t able to get it when they removed the gall bladder because there was too much inflamation and damage in the area. Unfortunately, it was not successful. They inserted a scope down his throat, through his stomach, into his bowel and then tried to thread it up into the bile duct. They work for an hour but could not penetrate the bile duct opening. They said it was like it was glued shut. So, now we have to go to plan B.
Tomorrow (Friday) afternoon they are going to do the same procedure but go through his liver instead of his bowel. This will be a little bigger deal and involves the assistance of radiology to open a path through the liver. I don’t know what all that means.
It was a little discouraging today but we have to stay focused on getting better and being grateful for the progress. He has not been allowed to eat a regular meal yet and the liquid diet of tomato soup, jello, apple juice, pudding and ice-cream is getting old! He has had tomato soup about every meal and today I asked them to please not send tomato soup. It blows my mind that for patients so sick in intensive care and with stomach issues that they think they will eat tomato soup with apple juice to drink, cherry jello and chocolate pudding for dessert! That combination is enough to make your stomach churn! One day in intensive care he was craving fried chicken in the middle of the night. He wants comfort food and calories. You need calories to heal! I understand the reasons for the liquid diet but somehow it seems the dietary options could be better.
I am asking that as you think of Gene, pray for God’s continued healing touch and that the surgeon will be successful in retrieving the gall stone and inserting a stent tomorrow.
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