Bettyjo Update

The funnel/tube that is supposed to divert saliva a down Bettyjo's esophagus did not come in this past week. Hopefully it will be in this week and Dr. Willet can install it early next week. We are a little disappointed that Dr. Alam has apparently not called Dr. Willet back. We were hoping the two of them could collaborate on Bettyjo's care, so that the very best action plan could be developed. As most of you know, Bettyjo has a feeding tube that goes directly into her stomach from the out side in. Last night it came out unexpectedly while I was on my way back from visiting my grandfather. Fortunately a lady from church was able to take her to Riverside ER where a new one was inserted. They did not get home until 2:30am. Thank you Karen.

On another note, my grand father starts chemo Monday, and will have it Tuesday, and Wednesday as well. With out the treatment he was given two to eight months. With the treatment, the doctor would not say. My mom and aunt are planning an anniversary party for my grandparents at the first of May, they have been married 67 years.

Thank you for all your notes, thoughts and prayers. We really do appreciate it.

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo saw Dr. Willet yesterday. He is going to order the diversion funnel for Bettyjo, which should be in next week. Surgery will be the following week. He may have to open her up on the vertical, and if he does she will have a trach installed for at least the time she is in surgery and maybe a little longer. In addition to this possible complication, the hole is so high on her esophagus, very near the tongue that Dr. Willit is not sure that Bettyjo will be able to stand the funnel, as it may cause her to gag. The only bright spot to the Dr. appointment is that he said that he is not ready to give up.

On another note, a while back I had asked you to pray for my grandfather and some surgery he had. Well......a biopsy has shown very aggressive cancer. He will see an oncologist Monday for a more concrete diagnosis.

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo is on some kind of antibiotic, and the infection seems to be under control. She will be seeing Dr. Willet next Friday, to discuss options.

I think the whole family is just........sort of numb right now. Everything we had been planning for the next year or so hinged on her getting better. And, now that is not so certain. I know, I know that nothing is for certain, even our next breaths, but when you are told by your Dr. that 95% of patients that had the first flap procedure (October 2007) have success, and of the remaining 5% , 90% of those having the radical reconstruction have success that means that only 1 in 200 are at the point Bettyjo is at.

Bettyjo and I are going shopping tonight for some material for her to make a curtain for the kitchen, she and Brenda are going to a movie tomorrow while Emily and I attend the Crew (MLS Soccer) home opener with tickets I won in a drawing at work.

Bettyjo Update

We received the very worst news possible last night. Bettyjo's options are 1) a tube can be inserted past the hole so that saliva will not go down it, and "hopefully" it will heal. 2) they can take her stomach out attach it to her arm and attach it to he side and slowing stretch her stomach to make a new complete esophagus. 3) she can give up. They will put in a permanent feeding tube, and she will never eat or swallow again.

I am not going to ask for prayer at this time, because it seems that God will do what God will do, and I guess we will just have to accept it. Maybe prayer is really accidental anyway.

Bettyjo Update

Thanks to all of you reading the blog. And, to those of you leaving comments. I read them to Bettyjo and they are encouraging.

At the moment Bettyjo is in a lot of pain, from this last surgery, from the infection, from the previous surgeries, from the rod and screws in her neck and from the rheumatoid arthritis. She had an MRI last night but no one has been in to brief us on the results. I say no one, because both Dr. Willet and Dr. Baird (infectious disease) will use it to see multiple things. She is still getting IV antibiotics, and well...........we are just waiting. Not much fun, and getting very old.

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo came out of surgery well. Dr. Willet said that she had a large puss sack behind her esophagus and a small amount on her voice box. He said that he really was not able to see anything for all the puss and blood that was coming out. In fact when the Anaesthesiologist pulled the breathing tube out it also had puss on it. Dr. Willet drained all the puss, flushed it out and then put in a Primrose drain. He will consult Dr. Alam either today or Monday, and will order another CT scan for Tuesday.

Bettyjo Update

Bettyjo's neck started to swell yesterday, and this morning it was very swollen. We took her to Riverside for a CT scan, and it revealed an abscess behind the esophagus most likely caused by the stitches dissolving too quickly. This has allowed some material to drain into the neck, causing the infection.

Dr. Willet will do surgery to drain the abscess, and will install a drain. She will be in the hospital for a few days.

Please pray for success of the surgery, and that the flap and the repaired esophagus will not suffer permanent damage from the infection.