First of Many

Hello to you all dear family and friends. This is the first of many entries that will be posted to update you on the ins/outs; ups/downs and in-betweens of the most recent journey that Dad (AKA - Bapo to his grandkids) has decided to take us on. The journey will be long and interesting, but through faith, trust, great docs and humor we will press forward.

For any of you coming in mid-stream a brief "catch-up" ... Dad is a professional RVer and explorer. He was in the Black Hills with his brother and his wife when he began having horrible pain in his left mid-abdomen (where his kidney once was). He drove back to Colorado, forgoing his orginal plans to continue West (thank God). After receiving IV treatment for nearly 2 weeks and following a 2nd CT scan in 2 weeks we learned that he had a mass growing in the area where his kidney once was located. Melissa and I quickly made a trip Friday morning early out to Colorado where we later learned that the fluid they had drained off of the phlegmon was pancreatic "juice". They are saying Dad has a pancreatic fistula and needs surgery to remove the lower portion of his pancreas. We were told that this is not an "easy surgery", but it can be done. They said to expect at least hospitalization for minimally 7 - 10 days and then possibly some assisted care until he is strong enough to be on his own.

We arrived in Omaha safely thanks to my brother-in-law, Curt last night around 11:30. He was a great driver and we all appreciated his safe driving. Dad was able to stretch out on the couch and watch satellite TV nearly the entire ride from Denver to Omaha. Upon arrival we got Dad checked into his new hospital. My dear friend from high school, Michelle, is a PA in Omaha and is with an Internal Medicine group (by the grace of God) and aided us greatly in getting everything lined up and if I must say so myself a nice room with a beautiful view of the sunrise! (Thanks so much Michelle!) Dad and I are sitting watching the sunrise and Discovery TV!

Dad has already been down for chest and abdominal x-rays this morning and will be drinking his "liquid glowing juice" soon. They are going to be doing a CT scan (yes, again ... 3rd one in 2 weeks) as well as another EKG. We will meet with the on-call doctor of the internal med group today and hopefully have a bit more information as to what our next few days might look like.

We appreciate your prayers you may try to contact us, but as you can imagine things are a crazy to say the least between Dad, kiddos, coordinating schedules, figuring out care, school etc. We need not worry for He is in control and is watching over us - as are our special angels up above. And in Dad's classic words, "Oh well, hey!"