No Pain, No Gain!

Our day begun at 7:30am on Oct. 2.  Kent's Co-worker came to pick us up and drive us to Ann Arbor. Our expected time of Arrival was to be at the Hospital at 10:00 am. We arrived on time and the hurry up and wait became our theme for the day.  Kent was not called into Pre op until 1:00 pm.  So we sat in a sunny waiting room with many walks of life happening around us.  Kent was in a good mood.  He often jokes to pass his fears and calm his nerves and this time was no different.

 He then was taken back at 1:25pm.  I walked the long hall with him into Surgery and before he went into the operating room, I went right as he went left.  I said a little prayer as he separated from me.  Many of you know that Kent and I are a team.  We often do things to help each other to later help others.  As I walked away, I thought about my mom and dad and that they also were a team and as they went through many hardships through cancer I was thinking... we are too.  What they had together is such an inspiration and seeing our spouses going through a terminal illness just makes me all the more not want to be separated from Kent.

 Surgery lasted roughly 1 and a half hours.  The Dr. came out to tell me that the surgery went very well.   The tumor they attacked was superficial and near the most tender part of the liver.  He followed the short conversation by" it will be  a painful recovery." I, then came back out to the waiting room and told Kent's co- worker what was going on.  I said that the Dr. would not let me go back for 2 additional hours as he needed to be flat and he was out of it.  It was roughly 5:15 when I was paged to go back and see him.  He was alert and I held his hand and told him his color looked great and how proud I was of him.  We, Kent's co worker, myself , Kent and the nurses then moved into yet a third recovery area where we waited an additional 2 and a half hours.  Kent was able to sit up and eat and drink.   Later, he told me he didn't know if that was the best choice but .... he did it.  They then let us go after dinner and a few episodes of "Castle." It was 7:45 pm and we were just leaving the Hospital.  Kent was wheeled in a maize and Blue wheel chair and loaded into the back of the FRC van.   The seats reclined that was a little more comfortable for him.  The FRC van acquired wings and we made it home in quick fashion.   Kent then scuffed himself into our house and I tucked him into his own bed which gave him a greats night rest and a much needed sleeping in.

Today, I was fully intending to stay home from work with a sub lined up for me and I turned to Kent and said, "How are you?" he said, "pretty good, go to work. "   So I made a few calls canceled the Sub and headed in for a very busy and productive day in preschool... a day in preschool is never dull:)   I received a call at preschool today from my mom and she said my uncle had broken collar bone and she was unable to help me with my afternoon kid sitting with my nephew due to her needing to help my Uncle out.  I quickly said, no worries Kent is doing great, I would be happy to help.  Lukas soon accompanied Kent (passenger) and I to Kent's work to grab a few conversations and a much needed new phone and later lunch. We loved having a little helper this afternoon. Lukas brings much excitement and we always love our little man. 

Kent has done well all day.  He hasn't had a pain med all day.  We both agreed that we could possibly make it to our Gilda's support group and so we pushed forward and did that.  I was shocked on how well he has done after this procedure.   This day has proved to me how hard he is fighting to keep fighting this cancer away and still be a Great father, husband.  

I can not end this post without saying, how dependent we are to asking in prayer from our heavenly father to stand next to us and reveal his plan in our lives.   I want to leave you with a few very special thoughts that happened in the last few days.   Lydia's classroom prayed for Kent during his surgery in their outdoor classroom and that touched my heart so much.  I love that Lydia is in a Christian school and is able to do that.  The other is that my preschool director has been praying for those who have cancer and the preschoolers have made cards for those who are in treatment.  Wow! what a blessing they all have been.  Thank You!  Lastly, I would like to take a moment and thank all those who have taken care of Lydia in the last few days. 

This has been a journey.... where the journey leads us next is this.... Dr. Appt. on the 9th. with Kent's oncologist.  Then followed with chemo in 2 weeks.  He then will be monitored with an MRI in 4 to 6 weeks.   What is after that we will learn to lean on the everlasting arms of Jesus.

Leah