Sometimes, a Girl Just Needs her Dad!

Elizabeth and Braces (with softball injury on chin!). She chose pink and turquoise rubber bands

Sometimes a Girl just needs her Dad!

This morning started early for both Mike and I. We were blessed to have Doug Howard pop in last night and stay with us for a very short, but very awesome visit. He arrived around dinner time, we ate, talked, and went swimming. We tried to fill him in on everything in a few short hours before we headed to bed.

We woke up and were at the hospital by 6:30 am with donuts in tow for our beloved nurses in the day surgery. Our GI doctor came in on vacation to stretch Mike and Mike really needed it. Mike was almost completely closed up to the size of a pin hole. Mike was no longer able to drink anything by mouth. He was able to stretch Mike to 8 cm this time. (In the past, it was 11 - 13 cm). Praise Jesus for the stretch as Mike was able to drink water and juice for the first time in 4 days. The doctor is convinced there is a tumor in the upper part of his stomach and around the outside of esophagus that we can not see that is squeezing things shut. He saw no physical evidence (scar tissue again this time), but it is the only thing that makes sense in his mind. We have a PET Scan on Friday and we should know the results on Monday. That will give us the true answer. I refuse to go there. I know Mike is losing weight rapidly right now. He is down to 156. But I really believe it is related to dehydration from the closure of esophagus and the diarrhea issues with the feeding tube. Now that I have taken a nap, I will not fear.

We had another great nurse today whose son is in the AF and works with Ejection Seats. The nurse and Mike talked a long time sharing stories. She was so caring and everyone wants to hear how MD Anderson goes. We are supposed to stop back in when we get back.

Then we came home to discover Doug had spoiled Elizabeth rotten. He changes some light bulbs for me and took Elizabeth shopping for softball shoes, an Edible Arrangement, PetSmart, Target, and Chick-fil-a. All that in a matter of 2 hours. I am still not quite clear how Doug knew that Elizabeth has ALWAYS wanted an edible arrangement, but to be honest, it was yummy. Especially the chocolate dipped bananas. Thank you Doug for everything. You trip was well timed and loved.

After Doug left, both Mike and I ended up taking Elizabeth to get her braces. Elizabeth was excited about getting them until the actual moment that it came to leave. Mike asked her if she wanted him to go with, and she said please. That moment makes me cry. That is what we are fighting for moments when only your Dad will take you by the hand and make everything ok. Sometimes a girl just needs her Daddy, right? Course I went too, so it was a big family outing to the orthodontist!

Prayer Needs:

Mike to gain weight

Negative PET Scan

God's Will and Strength and Reassurance

Elizabeth and her braces - care, pain, and quick straightening

Deanna - all the details to leave to MD Anderson

Praise:

Nurses

Friends

A drink of water - Mike praised Jesus all afternoon everytime he took a drink

That God is bigger than Doctors!