My pancreatic drain is still hanging with me because I have a pancreatic leak with high fluid amylase levels. (Normal is 1 to 160 units per liter. Mine is currently over 57,000 U/L.) I have a pancreatic fistula that isn’t healing as quickly as everybody hoped. The great news is that I’m avoiding an infection so far. But that risk increases as the drain stays in longer. 

Please keep praying for the fistula to heal, NO infections and pain relief. 

The drain site stings now and then. But the surgical site is PAINFUL. I’m figuring out what helps and what exacerbates it. I’m very thankful to have tools for keeping pain and spasms manageable but don’t like the side effects. 

So, we’re in a holding pattern. The phrase often used in medical terms is “watchful waiting.” Today, my surgeon compared it to “Ground Hog Day.” We’ve been seeing him weekly for a month now. Each time, he’s expectant about pulling my drain tube out. But before each visit we get some surprise lab result or change in symptoms that cautions him to slow down and give the healing process one more week.  

By definition, “Ground Hog Day” means an endless, monotonous cycle of repeating the same daily experiences, tasks, or problems without any progress or change. It reflects a feeling of being stuck in a rut where time blurs together and each day feels identical to the last. In this case, it is worth the waiting if it protects my health. But there is a balance to strike in that the longer the drain stays, the more risk of infection too. 

I’m disappointed and frustrated but trying to be a good patient. There have been some nice things about this weird rut (cycle). The slowness of life is reminding me that my value is not in what I produce. And I’m enjoying a few little things that feel like big things. For example, Larry and I have squeezed in some day date lunches around visits to the hospital for labs and appointments with the surgeon. I have been able to read a couple of terrific books. I’m feeling very supported and encouraged by my family and teammates about resting. These are not perks but there are treats in the tedious waiting. 

Please keep praying for Larry who is juggling so much but always a servant-hearted champion. We’ve had a couple of ugly nights when pain was unbearable and he could have felt helpless trying to offer support. Still, he got me through with his incredible patience, flexibility, perseverance, discernment and prayer. He’s my new favorite brunch chef having perfected two meals I love any time of day! 

Please pray for Carly’s health and peace. She’s wanting much more snuggle time with me than I’ve been able to offer. She’d prefer to sit on top of me in the recliner (which won’t do, of course) but my sitting upright on the couch beside her has not been comfortable for more than about half hour at a time either. I end up spending a lot of time in our bedroom where we have an adjustable bed. Meanwhile, her bladder has not been responsive for her this week. This could be stress related. It could be medication related. We never know for sure and the issues often resolve themselves as mysteriously as they start. Like for all of us, toileting “regularities” are key to quality of life. So, if you don’t mind, please pray for her entire digestive system, bowels, and bladder to function well. 

I pray you have a wonderful holiday weekend even as we each take time to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.  We’re hopeful to spend time in Wisconsin on Sunday and Monday celebrating a graduation with our very dear “Jamoa” family (Jamiesons and Stoas). 

We’ll be back to labs next Thursday and a visit with Dr Sparkman on Friday, May 29th. I’m praying this "Ground Hog Day" will finally be over. 

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