Five Weeks Post Surgery
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Jamieson Family Health Journey
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Jamieson Family Health Journey
I’m encouraged that my general sense of wellness is progressing. I could take deep breaths this week without pancreatic pain and sleep longer stretches at night. Daily walks are longer and my pace is finally satisfying. But I still hit walls of physical or mental fatigue and need to lay down and/or nap with little warning. So, I have extended my pause from counseling and care ministry. I hope to start easing back in the week of June 8th. Having ministry colleagues sharing responsibilities is a tremendous gift!
My surgeon warned me in March that this would be a tedious and lengthy healing process. (That’s why I asked for prayers about what felt daunting.) Now here we are — making progress but still quite a way from normal.
The pancreatic drain remains in place. Dr. Sparkman is optimistic but monitoring the leak carefully. Last Thursday’s drain (fluid) amylase level was much lower than the week prior (29,485 U/L) but still way too high. Shortly after my surgery, we mistakenly ordered three times more split sponges (gauze for the drain site). I’m glad I didn’t return them because now it seems God was out ahead of me knowing I would need every last one of them — and maybe more yet!
I’m experiencing layers of perspective about “surviving cancer” and recovering from major surgery. I’ll spare you those details. But I do appreciate your joining me in praise and prayer for what is still healing in me — body and soul.
Patience is like a muscle in our souls that God strengthens through stretching.
Prayer Requests
- Please keep praying for my speedy and uncomplicated recovery. Specifically, we’re asking God to heal the pancreatic leak, no infection, removal of the drain and restoration to full health.
- Pray that Larry’s schedule and energy will allow him to return to cardiac rehab and have his own health needs well cared for.
- Pray that Carly quickly experiences the benefits of an iron infusion she received on Friday. (Praise God, I drove for the first time since surgery!)
- Keep praying for healing of Carly’s bladder. We’re working through some medication adjustments, but we’re all discouraged there hasn’t been much progress yet.
- Pray Carly’s new fiscal year (starting June 1) for her disability waiver and Medicaid services cycles seamlessly for caregiver staff payroll and other disability services. The last couple of weeks of May are always a puzzle finalizing the previous year and beginning a new one. So please pray that Larry can get some rest from constant paperwork and bookkeeping on top of his work and caregiving roles with me and Carly. (My husband is an AMAZING man of God, and a very tired one.)
- Pray for team transitions. One of Carly’s long-time companions graduated and will be moving out of state to begin her career. Ella’s last day was Friday, but another new friend is completing paperwork to start training this coming week. We’re overwhelmed with gratitude that God has provided consistency for a while now and such wonderful people!
Isaiah 55:8-9
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.”
Psalm 16:8-9
I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
My body rests in safety.
Psalm 117
Praise the Lord, all you nations.
Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For his unfailing love for us is powerful;
The Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
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