We left for the hospital at 12:15 with Christi's procedure being scheduled for 3:15. It was old hat by now and we came prepared for the possibility the tube would not be removed. Christi has been such a good sport about the IV's, the blood test, the continual poking and taping and tape removal. Her skin seems to have some reaction to the tape and it looks awful whenever we have to pull it off. This time, we got smart and removed the tape around the tube before she went down so they wouldn't have to do it. So many of the nurses have just ripped it off with no concern for her pain or for her discomfort. We got the impression that some of them think she is overreacting or being a baby about it, but she wasn't. Instead she was incredibly stoic after everything she's been through! I left her with Dr. Harker after a brief conversation. This time they let me into the room. It was a different room this time because Dr. Harker wanted to get started and her original room wasn't available. (I snapped these pics with my cell phone and Christi wasn't too happy!) We really really like Dr. Harker. She's no nonsense and very honest. She didn't promise us anything, but we made sure we understood what was possible and what would happen from here. She was good enough to take my number again and call me--something she doesn't ever do. I left Christi in their capable hands, ran to the cafeteria to get lunch, headed back to the room and within minutes Dr. Harker called. Here's the e-mail I sent to everyone.
"Hi Everyone,
Good news today! Christi entered the outpatient center at 12:30 p.m. today for her 2:30 PTC. Dr. Harker warned us she might not want to remove the tube, but she would check the drainage and make sure the bile duct was cleared of any debris or stones before making a decision. We were trying to keep our hopes reasonable, but were so ready for this tube to be out!
I left her in the operating room at 3:00 p.m.--ran to get lunch, move the car, back in the room at 3:25 and the receptionist said she was on her way up already! I wasn't sure that was a good thing until Dr. Harker called and told me Christi was crying tears of joy because the tube was out. She's here until 5:30 p.m. and then was told to not lift anything over 10 lbs for the next 7 days.
She'll see her surgeon next week and Dr. Batista the gastroenterologist also. Dr. Harker wants her to have an ERCP in a couple of weeks with Batista, but we are hoping all will go well in the coming weeks.
Thanks so much for your e-mails, calls, and concern. We are grateful for good advice and prayers offered. Soo so happy to be getting Christi back with her spirits raised and a body that is slowly healing!
Fawn"
This time Christi came out of the anesthesia pretty well and we didn't have to stop for her nausea. She had some discomfort at the site, but felt so much better than any of the other times. We stayed with the Tylenol and Ibuprofen and she made it through the next few days just fine. Carey and the girls were due Monday morning and we were planning on leaving on Thursday, if all was well with Christi. We had to touch base with Dr. Batista, but things were certainly looking up for Christi. And we were just so grateful to Dr. Harker.
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