I am home!!!!

Oh happy day! I came home yesterday after 2 weeks in the hospital. I was home for about 12 hours on Feb. 24- 25 but then had to go back with severe abdominal pain and vomiting. It turns out that I developed a bowel obstruction close to the area where they reconnected my small bowel. So thankful that it resolved itself by having clear liquids for a few days.
   They would not let me come home till my extreme bloating went down and I was able to eat soft food again. Most of my stay I had no appetite and got full very quickly if I did eat. Because of this, and frequent diarrhea, my electrolytes got out of balance so they started me on complete liquid nutrition. This required a Picc line to be put in which was good because all of my IV sites were failing at that point. My veins were pretty shot from chemo and being dehydrated. The liquid nutrition really helped me to feel better and sustained me till my system started working again.
  The doctor feels that several things contributed to my bowel blockage. They probably sent me home a bit prematurely. I got dehydrated and had too much food for my system to handle when I came home the first time. I also had something called ileus which is when a part of your bowel just stops working from having surgery. I could feel this happen and it is miserable to say the least. My dear sister Carole was at my side during those times and just blessed me so much by massaging my back and feet and trying to keep me comfortable! Pain medicine only helps to a certain degree. The doctor said another contributing factor could have been some swelling or inflammation in my bowel near the surgery site. My WBC count is not quite back to normal yet from chemo.
 We are doing well, thanks to all the meals and prayers. Duane and the kids have been troopers but they are so happy to have Mom back home.
  They sent me home with orders to take my diet really slowly. I need to be on a soft, low residue diet and eat small, frequent meals till my system is fully healed and functioning more efficiently.
  I have experienced so many unpleasant things on this stay from lots of  needle sticks, vomiting, severe gas pains, a  very sore bottom, not making it to the bathroom on time, picc line mini surgery, drinking soapy lemony tasting stuff for my CT scan, to sharing a cramped hospital room and just being exhausted....HOWEVER......God is so good! and I was able to develop a relationship with my one roommate and the nurses. I had plenty of company and flowers to cheer me. I really sensed God's presence with me in a special way. If I have learned anything from this experience it is this :   When we choose to declare our trust in Jesus and give thanks in every situation it prevents the enemy from gaining a foothold in our lives. I know deep in my heart that God was and is watching over me!!! and He was and is working everything out for my good!
  It is so wonderful to be home! esp. since today is Heidi's 16th birthday!
Love you all!
Marcia

More meals needed.....

With Marcia not getting out of the hospital as planned I have decided to extend their meal schedule for a few more days....I think they could really use some more meals after Marcia gets home.
If you would rather make a frozen meal you can give it to me at church and I will make sure they get it.
It is going to be a long recovery for Marcia and I know it will be a blessing to her to not have to think about supper every night for her crew.

Thank you for continuing to pray for her. Pray the blockage will break up and pass and that she will be able to eat some "real" food soon! Thanks so much!
http://www.takethemameal.com/meals.php?t=KEYA2647

A bump in the road.....

So....Marcia has been sensing that something just wasn't "right" and yesterday so she strongly asked the doctor to do a CT scan on her belly to try and figure out what is wrong.
And she just found out that she does indeed have a small bowel obstruction near the staple line where her bowels were reconnected. :(
So this is a bummer of course but we are thankful for an answer to the pain and discomfort she has been in.
She is waiting to hear from the doctor on what the plan of attack will be.  I will update as I can.
They did put in a pic line yesterday to give her nutrition as she really hasn't eaten anything for over a week now.
So please just keep praying for her and the whole family as they walk through this new development.

Continue to pray.....

So yesterday morning started out I was feeling really good. After eating some yogurt and crackers for, lunch I developed another episode of severe abdominal pain. I have only been able to eat very small amounts at a time. My bowels are moving but I am still very very bloated. They are going to do a CT scan this afternoon to check if there is any kind of obstruction or possible swelling around the incision where they reconnected my bowels. My iv also stopped working so I'm waiting for them to come and start another one.  
On top of all of this, on the way home last night Kyle was following Duane in the Subaru.  Duane was in the suburban. There were deer crossing the road and Duane had to come to a complete stop.  Kyle did not get stopped in time and  he rear-ended Duane. The front end of the Subaru is smashed in. The suburban has minimal damage. They're all okay thankfully but it just feels like one more big thing right now.
I know you are all praying for us.  It feels like a huge test in trusting and being thankful in spite of it all.  
Thank you! 
Marcia

Making progress

Well folks....I'm still in the hospital. Each days has its little victories. Progress seems so slow and I'm so ready to come home but I'm trusting God knows best and will see me through this.