Update at the Hospital

Greetings! This is the Jollette, otherwise known as David's daughter. My dad asked me to update his blog for him, so here I am.

    This morning he went into the hospital at 9, for who knows what, because his surgery was at 11. I arrived at the hospital around 10:30 to some very wet eyes and tear streaked faces. That's where he asked me to update his blog. I don't remember all that happened that morning, but I can say it was a mixture of emotions and humor. I took some very embarrassing pictures of my dad ;). But, fret, you shan't! I still love him. So before I get off on too much of a tangent, lemme get back on track.
    He went into surgery at 11:15. My family and I waited in the Family waiting room for hours as elders, and loving families from our church trickled in and out. Every now and then I would look up and see my Mawmaw (my dad's mom) reading her book with teary eyes. It was all very depressing. At about 2:30 the doctor came out to tell us that the surgery went well. They removed the tumor and stitched him right up. He doesn't even need a colostomy. Here's the bad news: somehow (don't ask me how), the doctor discovered that my dad has 2 fairly large tumors in his liver, as opposed to 1 normal sized tumor. His lymph nodes are also infected. This isn't exactly something we expected, but, it is what it is, and we can't change it, so for now, we'll deal with the tumors he has, and rejoice for the one's he doesn't have. Chemo doesn't start till he's made a full recovery, which won't be for about 4-6 weeks. Doc says he'll be in the hospital 4-7 days. We got to visit him when he first got out of the OR, and he was so loopy. He kept asking questions over and over again. Once again, it was rather amusing. Other good news is that he doesn't need to go to ICU and he has his own private room!
    Now for an even more recent update! I just got off the phone with my mom and dad. My mom is staying the night at the hospital with my dad. I asked him how he was feeling, and his exact words were, "For just having a major surgery, I'm doin' pretty good." He's doing really well, and with his spirit of determination, he'll be back on his feet in no time. Please continue praying for him, and I want to thank everyone so much for the prayers you've sent up already, they seem to be working.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise Him all creatures hear below
Praise Him about ye heavenly hosts
Praise Father Son and Holy Ghost
Amen

Check back for updates in the coming days!
Peace

Comments

[Angie Sutton]

Jollette (and I really know you!), thanks for the update! You did a great job! We are praying for your dad and all your family, so we appreciate hearing how y'all are doing. A verse that has meant a lot to me over the years and that I keep thinking of in connection with this situation for you guys is Psalm 31:14-15a: I trust in You, O God, I say you are my God. My times are in your hands.
Love ya from Florida!

[chrisdat]

How proud your father must be of his daughter. Thank you for sharing this update. I’ve never met your Dad but through this blog he has made us laugh and also pointed us to Christ. I’ve been praying off and on all day for your Dad and will continue to pray for him. Thank you for keeping us informed.

[Adrian Warnock]

Well done Jollette. I reckon you're a better blogger than your dad! Thinking of and praying for you all this Christmas morning.

[Mark Daniels]

I commented over at Facebook, but will do so here as well. David is in my prayers and will be in those of our church as well.

Blessings in Christ,
Mark

[stephen shields]

thank you for being a wonderful daughter!

please tell my family and I are praying for him.

[stephen shields]

sorry - that sd be: "pls tell *your* family"

[David A. Porter]

Jollette,

Thank you for the update. I agree with Adrian, you just might be a better blogger than your father. I also appreciated your sense of humor amidst the storm.

My prayers continue with your family and I pray that God will make his glory known clear in these difficult days.

[Ollie]

Jollete,

Thank you for the update.

I've been reading your dad's blog regularly the past couple of months and it has encouraged me as he sought to live a Christ-honouring life.

A few of us in Singapore are keeping your dad, you and your family in prayer. May the God of all grace continue to sustain your family in this difficult time.

[Mark La Roi]

I'm praying for you and your family brother, may God be greatly glorified because of you, and your difficulty be quickly removed!

[Robin]

Praise God they found these things during the initial surgery. The lymph nodes and the liver are the common places for colo-rectal cancer to spread. Also, praise Him that your dad did not need a colostomy. While they are not really bad to deal with, it is another surgery, should he only need it temporarily.

We have been going through this type of cancer with my mother for two years this month. We have praised through the initial surgery, the removal of the ileostomy and reattatchment of her colon, the liver surgery and the surgery to remove a tumor from her head. She is riddled with tumors at the skin surface and is doing chemo.

All that to say to you and your family... keep praising the Lord. As you put it so well, Praise God from whom all blessings flow! I have had so many opportunities to witness to my mother, to my unsaved family and to those at the hospital and oncologist's office. God is good, and He is faithful.

Our church family is praying for David.

God's blessings on you all.

[Sonia]

Thank you for the update. I'm praying for you and the whole family. May you all find peace, rest and comfort in God in the midst of this storm.

[Julianne B]

Thank you so much for the update. Suzette has shared with many of us and we continue to share this prayer request for your dad with our churches and friends. Back in 2000 I was sending out a prayer request similar for my mom as she went into surgery for colorectal cancer. Suzette was one who sent it out for me too! What a sweet blessing to have a network of siblings in Christ!

I know not your father, yet he is my dear brother in Christ. He is my family too. And your tears and laughter will be ours too.

Blessings to you and your family. May the grace and peace of God be yours overflowing.

[Kinnon]

Jollette,
Thanks for the update. Hugs to your Dad. Praying for all of you.

[Rhett Smith]

David,

You and your family in our prayers.

Thanks for keeping us up to date on the blog.

Rhett Smith

[Rick Moore]

We're praying for you, David!

[ostomy supplies]

Hi David,

We're praying for all of you!

Regards,
-Luigi