Processing & Preparing for Upcoming Surgery
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Jamieson Family Health Journey
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Jamieson Family Health Journey
I was unprepared for how busy these days before surgery would be with doctor appointments, information management and prayerful processing of it all!
First off — Larry and I are deeply thankful for the morale and practical support we have from our children, family and friends. Your cards, emails, treats, gifts and ways of helping are great blessings! We’re amazed by how often outreach has come in timely ways, and often such simple ways. Kudos to those practicing the “ancient gift” of handwritten notes and using an actual postage stamp! The financial gifts have been very helpful already, giving us flexibility to fill some additional care shifts for Carly that weren’t in the budget for this year.
Praise the Lord, we have a surgery date, and it has left space for two trips we were very hopeful to preserve. The first is to a family wedding later this month. The second takes us to the Disability and the Church conference in Washington DC from April 20th to 23rd. Between those travels, there are numerous doctor appointments and preparations happening.
My surgery is April 27th — the Monday after we return from DC.
My surgery is April 27th — the Monday after we return from DC.
There is no new information about the cancer itself. We continue to be very grateful that the tumor was caught early, is well differentiated and slow growing. Nonetheless, while my cancer prognosis is very encouraging, the surgical situation is not so straightforward.
Over the past couple of weeks, I had been realizing that I have been comparing my cancer to others and not feeling like I should be too dramatic about it because my expected outcomes are more promising than most people have the privilege to experience. Most of the time, Larry and I feel carried in a wave of hope and peace. For sure, we are praying and believing for satisfying lifestyle rhythms and full health to come soon. I am very aware that many people who hear the word cancer do not enjoy the kind of prognosis I do. But after we actually met with the surgeon, we began absorbing the realities of how complex it is to have pancreatic surgery, no matter the reason.
During our appointment with the surgeon, we learned that pancreatic surgery is always intricate, with risks and potential for complications that are more complex than we initially realized. Based on the position of this tumor, what is hoped to be a simple robotic laparoscopic resection or “shelling out” of the tumor could become more involved (e.g., distal pancreatectomy, distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy). As a result, the surgeon’s “Plan A” approach could change once he gets started. He anticipates that I will lose 30 to 40% of my pancreas.
The type of surgery I have will influence the length of the surgery (2 to 6 hrs) as well as short term recovery process (e.g., 3-to-7-day hospital stay, lifting restrictions, diet sensitivities) and long term outcomes. The more of the pancreas that needs to be removed, the greater chance I have of developing diabetes and/or life-long need for digestive enzymes every time I eat. Statistically and practically speaking, this is a daunting surgery and recovery.
We are thankful to have learned valuable encouragement about statistics many years ago when Carly was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome. Well-meaning people warned about the strain disability parenting has on marriage. Though divorce rates can be high, we now know (and teach others) that they are frequently misquoted and misinterpreted. We got educated about statistics, asked people to be praying for us, worked as hard for date nights and intentional communication, and invested in marriage and family counseling. Our family still feels the strain but these things, and prayer most of all, have strengthened us in so many ways.
Once again, we’re reminded that no diagnosis has ‘prophetic power’ over our lives. Our marriages, children and circumstances are under God’s authority. Information like statistics can guide us into prayerful, proactive, and intentional living and encourage us toward positive momentum. We must never give the enemy power to rob us of the certainty that God will lead us to the victory side of the statistics! A diagnosis is not a prophecy about your future. It is simply one person‘s description of what they believe to be your current situation. God has the final say. Full stop.
Some are asking how we are going to manage my recovery through the logistics of work and Carly care. We are currently working with Carly’s staff to arrange 24/7 coverage while I’m in the hospital and then cover as much as we can afford through the end of May. My work and counseling schedule will be on pause. I hope to ramping back up as summer kicks in.
Over the past two years, God has been growing the amazing ministry team at Walk Right In and the timeliness of this was already becoming evident when Larry had his heart attack months ago. Board and other team members are providing strong leadership and are extremely supportive of our family’s need to focus on health. Anthony Peterson is just one example. He serves, like me, as a caregiver coach and pastoral counselor to families impacted by disability. His schedule and expertise ensure that my own clients have a wonderful alternative while I am on leave.
Prayer requests:
- Thanks be to God Larry and I remain firmly on the victory side of marriage and health statistics!
- Praise the Lord for a strong and supportive work team and family!
- Lord willing, may all pre-op appointments and processes stay on track.
- Adequate sleep and strong general health (e.g., family colds and viruses, Lisa relief from waves of GI symptoms)
- That Carly would have only positive outcomes from being completely weaned off one of her long-time meds (last dose almost 2 weeks ago)
- Discipline and motivation to go for daily walks
- Cured cancer with a straightforward laparoscopic surgery, sparing as much organ tissue as possible
- For the surgeon: focus, energy and discerning and effective decisions during surgery
- Protection from complications including infection, fistula, diabetes, lifetime enzyme reliance
- Effective post-operative decisions and management
The love of God is our everything. Always and forever. But especially so when life is complicated.
Zephaniah 3:17
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.
Stay safe and warm out there this weekend! (We’ll be hunkered down with pancakes and a spring blizzard.)
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