Hospital - Day 2 - Surgery

I am going to attempt to keep this post short because I am just emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted. Chad is currently passed out due to his anti-nauseous medicine, so I thought I would take a quick minute to update the blog. I am typing and checking his breathing every two minutes :) This stuff just makes me nervous.

When we first received this diagnosis and did the research on exactly what this cancer is and what it can do - it scared the living daylights out of me and it still does. It always will, for the rest of my life. From the very first day, once we absorbed the diagnosis - I took on the approach of "It could be much worse"....

Even on Day One, I have always believed God meant for Chad to get through this. There's been so many things along the way that left me in pure awe. While it absolutely, beyond sucks, that Chad has to go through this - it could have been so much worse.

We could have not had bad BBQ. Chad could have not gotten food poisoning or whatever caused his stomach pain. We could have not gone to the ER. Twice. We could have not fought to get him admitted. His Gallbladder could have not failed. The doctors could have not taken out his appendix....

The appendix could have burst. The tumors could have spread. The Blood Tests, CT Scan, PET Scan, biopsies could have shown the cancer metastasized.

Dr Sardi could not have agreed to take on Chad. The VA could have not agreed to send Chad to an out of network doctor. We could have not have had such an incredible amount of love and support in the form of donations for travelling and Chad being out of work and everything else.

Dr Sardi COULD have cut Chad open and seen tumors everywhere. But he didn't. There was nothing he could find to give any indication that the cancer had spread. He performed the right hemi-colectomy. He did create a large incision and while it will be a more difficult recovery than laproscopically, we have comfort in knowing the doctor was VERY thorough. The surgery went as well as it could have. The lymph nodes were removed and they looked clear and were not enlarged. They were sent out for biopsy to see if the cancer has spread there. We will have those results in about a week. The pathology of that will determine the chemotherapy regime.  If there even is one.

God willing, our prayers will continue to be answered. Chad is a warrior. Dr Sardi is a warrior. God is a warrior. Dream Team.

The road to recovery will be long and we still have hurdles to over-come but we're so very very thankful for all of our blessings and we thank you so much for your past, present and future prayers xo