Thanksgiving Edition

Psalm 71 (NIV) 'do not forsake me when my strength is gone'

With Thanksgiving in just a few days, we tend to be more mindful and thankful for the blessings God has given us.  This Thanksgiving is an extraordinarily special one for us. It marks the one year anniversary of a procedure that now allows Gaston a much better quality of life.

Several years ago, Gaston began having pain, nausea and discomfort so severe that we found ourselves in the ER numerous times. Each time the diagnosis was pancreatitis, the doctor would give him medications for the pain to subside, hydrate him and dismiss him. Strangely though, each time the test results would show elevated liver enzymes which is unrelated to the pancreas. God put it on Gastons' heart to see a local gastroenterologist who specializes in liver problems to get his opinion.The physician was convinced it was related to the bile duct being partially blocked considering his major whipple surgery. This doctor had just returned from Mayo clinic training on how to use a scope for liver procedures traditionally done by surgery. What a blessing that would be if we could avoid more surgery!  We were encouraged!  Since Gaston had endured so many procedures in the past and was currently having no problems, he decided to wait.

At this point in our Christian walk, Gaston had been involved for many years in a prison ministry in which he is actively involved today.  Several months after seeing the doctor, Gaston was away for a prison ministry weekend and began to have the symptoms of an attack early that morning. At breakfast, the group prayed for him and his symptoms subsided. I went to the prison that evening for the closing ceremonies. When I first saw Gaston, he had a different color to his skin and appeared more pale and weak.  He told me what happened earlier in the day.  He said he felt better other than the typical fatigue brought on by all the weekend entails for them while getting very little sleep. After the closing, we came home and he became violently ill. We headed straight for the ER.

Here is where more blessings than we could ever imagine started to happen: 

Thank God Gaston had been to see the liver specialist since he was called immediately rather than the on-call physician who would have been untrained in using a scope versus surgery. For a patient without adrenal glands, it's very dangerous to be sedated for any type of procedure for any length of time much less a surgery of that magnitude. Gaston was admitted and tests showed scar tissue that had formed over time where the intestines were sewn back to the liver during the whipple procedure.  The scar tissue was causing complete blockage of a bile duct. The bile had no where to go except be released in his body causing him to be so sick. He was given IV antibiotics to prevent infection, medicine for vomiting and nausea and had to recover for a day before anything could be done. At this point, we had no idea if the complicated formation of Gastons' intestines would allow a scope to pass through and if we still were facing major surgery. I spent alot of time in scripture, talking with God, longing to hear from Him, and keeping my ears open. 

Early one morning as I drove back to the hospital, I was at the end of my own strength.  I needed a strong word from God, and I needed it badly. About that time the Christian radio station I was listening to played the Lincoln Brewster song "Everlasting God".  It recalled one of my favorite verses that I love dearly and read frequently. It brought me such comfort that I never knew was possible in such a situation.

Isaiah Chapter 40: 29-31 (NIV) says "he gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint."

 I had such a peace come over me that I KNEW it was going to be ok no matter what we were about to endure. Later that day, would be the first procedure.

After I had Gaston secured and sedated in the OR, I went to the cafeteria to grab a bite to eat while I waited. When I walked in, there stood the hospital head chef (who normally is in the kitchen at lunchtime). He happened to be a good friend of ours and ironically had served that weekend with Gaston on the same prison ministry team! God placed him there at that time at that very moment knowing how much I needed his prayers and hugs.  

• Day 1 - The first scope was unsuccessful in that the physician couldn't locate the duct due to the  malformation of Gaston's intestines so he was referred to a radiologist.
• Day 2 - It is back to the OR so that the radiologist could inject dye during a procedure to locate the blockage. This time it was located and 'tattooed' with ink so that when the permanent procedure was done it would be much easier to find. Also if the duct starts closing or has other problems in the future, the location will be permanently marked. A drain was installed for the rest of the bile to drain and to help the liver recover somewhat before the next procedure in a couple of days.
• Day 3 - Finally, a day of rest for Gaston.
• Day 4 - Another scope to remove the drain and place a plastic stent in the duct to hold it open allowing bile to flow and to allow the liver to continue to recover.
• Day 5 - We were discharged from the hospital with instructions to return as an outpatient in 6 weeks for the stent to be removed and for the procedure on the liver duct. 

Gaston did well with the stent and began to return to full health; however, the stent started causing some problems.  The liver specialist wanted to remove it and do the permanent procedure a week earlier than planned--the day before Thanksgiving. He explained to me that the procedure may be lengthy and he would also prepare Gaston for surgery in the event the scope couldn't attain the angle he needed to perform the sphincterotomy (stretching and cutting the muscle of the duct to prevent it from closing again). The procedure began.  I prepared myself for what the surgeon said would be a long wait and I began praying. After a short few minutes, the door opened. I would have been very concerned if the surgeon didn't have a huge smile on his face. The procedure was done much quicker, was less complicated than he had planned, and Gaston was returning to the recovery room!

God had his hand on that doctor guiding him to work quickly and efficiently with the least amount of stress to Gaston's body. As the different procedures were being performed, I will never forget such a Holy presence so intense during my wait.  It felt like Jesus himself was breathing on my neck.  He was so close, watching over us during this time. 2 Corinthians 12:10 says, "for when I am weak then I am strong". I lived this out that week. My own strength would have left me an emotional wreck.  By clinging to Christ, He lifted me up and He gave me the strength and the peace I needed to take care of Gaston.

So this Thanksgiving marks one year that Gaston has had no problems and is living an active, healthy life. We just had yearly checks of his kidneys and retinas and I am proud to report they are clear! As God continues to do great things in our journey with VHL, I will be back to share more with you.

Psalm 71:14 (NIV) " But as for me, I will always have hope, I will praise you more and more."