HERE IS THE NEWS

Stan Here:

Seems like everyday there are some new things and this day was no  exception. Things do remain as stable as they can get right now.  The ICU unit monitors and controls the breathing and everything else.  One of the kids asked me how I feel about this whole thing and very frankly, as this has unfolded, I have a few moments of sadness. The overwhelming emotion is that I just plain feel really sorry for her as she has to endure this. It has been very intimidating for me to see the equipment. Somehow I have reached the age of 60 I have only seen ICU units on TV and I have never quite understood the control they now have over the body and the monitoring levels they have.  It is a lot of stuff. Tubes, TV's, IV's respirators and more others things that I am not sure I need to be around again soon.

They have set up a time for surgery which is 8:30 AM on Wednesday.   I thought I was getting used to this surgery routine but one thing that changes is that surgery will start when the surgery team is ready because the patient is already there.  One other change is that there is no recovery room for a sedated patient and she will be taken back to the room on the ICU.  It has been mentioned that it is possible they will attempt to wake her and remove the breathing tubes late on Wednesday night but that is only if everything goes very well.

Her surgery doctor called me twice today to clarify things as it relates to Deb's condition.  As dangerous as this whole thing looks to me they have made it clear that the ICU, and the graduation from that, is not at the forefront of concern.  In other words the medical people think that the cancer is the greatest risk she faces and they seem assured that they will bring her through the problems related to this infection.  I need to tell you about one little silver cloud, and I kind of  need a silver cloud right now. Here it is. The biological defenses that the body builds to fight an infection, such as this, have been shown to have an impact on remaining cancer cells at a later time.  So there is an element of truth that something like this will have an impact as she continues to fight off the primary disease that caused the whole problem in the first place.  Now that would be something!!!  I will keep you posted on that one.

Allow me to finish with one more thing.  I must tell you that it was shocking to me and other members of our family to see Deb in a comatose state.  She is bruised and somewhat bloated from the fluids and it has been a very stark experience for us.  I visited this morning and was surprised to find her eyes open.  When she is sedated they had had some problems with blood pressure going too low and they controlled this by letting her come to the brink of consciousness.  So by blinking and some minor hand movement she had some ability to answer a question or two I asked her at 7 this morning.  I tried to tell her what had happened and I asked her if she would like to have a long time pastor friend of hers (and mine) come and say a prayer later that morning. Two blinks for yes and one for no. I got two blinks and I went to my office and called Dave Breen. Dave came at 9:30AM. He came in the room and it appeared that Deb was in a very deep sleep.  It kind of struck me compared to earlier in the morning.  Dave did proceed to read a passage and carry on a short conversation with Deb.  Than he said a prayer and at the end he said the word AMEN just slightly louder than the rest. Deb moved her head, opened her eyes, looked him right in the eye and mouthed the words "Thank You!"  Later in the day she again opened her eyes but this time I could detect a look of pain and confusion.  Since that time the ICU people have stabilized the medication to have blood pressure stay stable and to keep her under, which right now I think is really the best. The medications they are using has an amnesic effect so I am quite sure Deb will not remember any of this. At the same time it was amazing to me to witness this and in that moment appreciate the strength and resolve that she has always carried.

Yes we are in a tough spot right now. I write with the confidence that somehow she will endure this and live to post another day.  Thanks for your prayers and expressions.  They mean a lot right now.