NEW UPDATE ON ROD'S SURGERY....FEB 6, 2014

[Ittybittygma]

This is a "Quick update on my dh, Rod." He had surgery on the skin cancer on his forehead yesterday. Still in a lot of pain. He said the dr told him she gave him a free facelift. It hurts everytime he tries to eat or yawn or even laugh. Guess your forehead moves more than you think. I will have to remove bandages tomorrow afternoon and clean it all up. I hate that part. Hope it heals quickly and not too painful.

The incision is about 1 1/2" long and has stitches in it. The tape is on his eyebrows and in his hair so that hurts too. He has had a bad headache since the surgery and not feeling well yet tonight. Didn't sleep much last night at all so napped a lot today.

Good News tho.....Thanking God for all HE has done for us. God has blessed us with yet another miracle. Four of the 6 biopsies are negative. The drs think they may have been a scratch or a sore that got infected. Gave him antibiotics to put on them. One on neck, two on back, and glory be, the one in the top of his ear that looked so awful. He is so prone to infections but at least none of those turned out to be cancerous.

He still will need future surgery on his nose and they redid a biopsy on his lip. AZ VA dr had done a huge biopsy and thought maybe they got it all but never redid the biopsy. Here in Kan City, MO at the VA, they did that one over again yesterday to find out if they need to do surgery on it or not, Need to go back 12th to remove stitches in biopsy and on forehead surgery area. Hopefully by then biopsy will be back on lip. I will keep you posted on those results.

Thanks for past prayers and kind words from everyone. Please keep praying a little longer on this one. Rod was so worried about his ear and that one is ok so you all prayed us thru some more disasters. I am fine, just tired but grateful for my quilting family of "angels" at my side.

May God bless each and everyone of you today. May you all be surrounded by many angels for all your own needs today, tomorrow, and always. Don't always read but do pray for all of you. Love and hugs to all, Shirley Mae ps we had 11" of snow so slipped and slid our way to VA and back but made it safe and sound.
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Previous post on 2/04/2014

Teresa and Denise, Thanks for the pm's you sent. Sorry I haven't posted an update lately. Life and weather etc getting in the way.

Thank you everyone for your uplifting and kind words and thoughts, and all of your prayers. Sorry I have not posted for awhile. So much going on here. Rod's surgery on 4 biopsy sites is supposed to be tomorrow, wed at 1:30 pm. But we have 7" of snow and still coming down. Not sure we can even get there. Will call VA in am and see if dr even made it in before we try to get out of here.

He still has 3 other more serious biopsy sites that will require a consult and then more extensive surgery with a specialist, ENT. These 3 are one on top inside of ear, one beside his nose, and one on lip that I just found out is also on the inside of his mouth. He never told me that until yesterday. I can tell he is really worried about all of this. I have had to clean up and change bandages on all of the biopsy sites every day.

Thank you for all your prayers. Guess we need more with all this going on. Will try to post tomorrow nite to let you know what all happens if we get there. Snow should end at 3am but then will be bitterly cold here.

He also has a CT Scan next mon to see what all is happening with his liver and spleen. Some of you newbies probably don't know but Rod had a liver transplant 12 yrs ago. No problems in that dept just lots of blood tests and medication over the yrs.

He had an aneurism on his spleen 2 yrs ago. They are normally small but his was large enough that it took 20 coils to block it off so it would not rupture. Normally they do 2 or 3 coils on a small one. In the process of blocking that off, he lost blood supply to spleen and they thought he lost the spleen. It is still in there tho so they want to see what is happening there. Both these diseases cause a very low immunity level so has to be careful not to catch anything or could be deadly to him. A recent test in AZ showed that his spleen may be partially working. They want to know how well it is working.

We are still trying to organize our house and take care of all the paperwork involved in moving, new ins for car, house, and us. Medicare is crazy. Called 4 diff drs before we found one that hasn't just retired or else refuses to take medicare this yr, even tho they were on the list in the book. Then a storm hit and had to cancel that apptment last fri. Finally got all last yrs stuff, so need to do taxes soon too.

Have had company, mostly family but enjoy spending time with them. Try to have our 2 DGDs over for supper at least one night a week. They both work and just live about 3 miles from us in an apartment. Son and DIL live 45 miles away but come in on weekends to see their DDs and us too.

Finally the old house in AZ got rented in mid Jan so got partial months rent and most of our deposit back. Took that check and went shopping for washer and dryer and a bed among other things. Now we won't have to pay rent and utilities for 2 places. Been doing that since we moved in Nov. Hard on the old pocketbook, especially when you live on soc sec.

We love where we live. So many beautiful birds out in front of our garden apartment. We have a bird feeder up. Rod's hobby is now seeing how many of each kind show up. He keeps his binoculars handy too. Son ask if we were spying on the neighbors. LOL

With all this snow, we filled the feeder twice today. I throw out some scraps of bread, etc over the bank to feed the 4 legged critters too. We have a small creek just down behind us. I watched two skunks across the creek, on a nature path, frolicking in the snow. We have seen skunks, raccoons, a very large rabbit (looks like somebody's pet, and lots of cats. Supposed to be coyotes and deer here too but haven't seen them yet. If I ever figure out how to post pics, I will take some of the area. Our little corner of heaven and we love it.

I am just now trying to sort out my fabric and organize my bedroom/ sewing room. WE each have separate rooms since we both snore and wake each other up. House is beginning to look like a home and snowy days are perfect for looking out window at snow, birds and critters, but also sorting thru fabrics and UFOs.

I need to get to bed. Just looked outside and wind came up and now the snow is drifting but still coming down. Welcome to winter. I still love Missouri. Haven't lived where there is snow since 1997. I missed it. Rod went out and shoveled twice today and already all drifted back in. Mgmt will come around with snowblower tomorrow but Rod is enjoying something to do.

I love the projects and pics you all post every day. Hoping to get back to doing some things soon. You all take care, stay warm and just enjoy the beauty of the snow. May God bless you all in some special way today and all your tomorrows. Thanks again for your prayers. Prayers for all of you today that God will provide for all your needs. Special prayers for those who are ill, or going thru cancer treatments, or sitting at the bedside of a loved one, and especially for those who recently lost someone in their own family. I think of you all much and I do pray for you all every day. Shirley Mae

[billizzy]

Wow Shirley Mae. Life changes make us appreciate family and friends. I will add you both to my prayer list. Hope you make it to appt today if not hope it is soon. God bless

Izzy

[Marilynsgrammy]

thanks for the update.. keep us posted.

still have you all in my prayers

[Becca]

Shirley Mae You & Rob have been in my prayers.May God give you strength & comfort for each new day.Hope you can get it done today...Becca

[KATHYSQUILTS]

Morning,

Thank you for the update. You plate is so full you need a platter. You & Rod are in my prayers. You have my empathy for the wound care I for it difficult to do it for my DD1.

(((((((HUGS))))))))

[cindyg]

Shirley Mae - prayers being sent up for you and Rod. You sure have a lot to take care of. Heavens - my head would be spinning! Take care of yourself - you are needed.

[purrfect-lady]

Shirley Mae, thank you for the update on you and Rod. I'm so sorry he is going though all these health issues and the insurance/doctor dilemma sure can push a person to the breaking point. But sounds like you have things pretty much sorted out now. Your home sounds delightful, snow and all! Please know that you have my prayers for all that you need, for doctors' skill, and good results on all of Rod's tests and biopsies. God bless. Mary z

[WeeOne]

Shirley Mae, thank you for the update. You & Rod are in my prayers. Sounds like your enjoying your new home.
Lyn

[toekeyotow]

Shirley Mae....Thanks for keeping us up to date on you and Rods progress. Sounds like things are going to turn around for the both of you. God knows you both deserve a break. Glad to hear the house is coming along and you will be getting back into sewing again. Prayers that all of Rod's biopsies come back negative.

Joan

[sharonkl]

Shirley Mae.... I am sending you huge hugs and prayers. It was so good to hear from you.
I'm glad you have settled in your new home.
Take care!
Sharon