Unfortunately, not much of an update because we really don’t know too much.  As you know, Kevin and I went to the ER Sunday morning for him coughing up blood and this extreme stomach pain he’s been having.  After a discussion with everyone, we decided it best to stay admitted at LGH (Lancaster General) rather than making the trek to Johns Hopkins.  We decided if it was something serious, we could always be transferred at a later time to JH.

Since then, not a whole lot has happened.  They have Kevin on Delaudid (spelling?), a pain medication that is working AWESOMELY to control his stomach pain.  However, they have not found the root of this evil.  As soon as the pain meds wear off, he’s back up to a 5-7 out of 10 on the pain scale.  Most of it is centered around the feeding tube.

He was also diagnosed with a mild case of pneumonia, which is most likely why he’s been coughing up blood (the coughing up can only come from his lungs since he’s no longer attached to his stomach from his mouth).  They have him on many different anti-biotics to counteract the pneumonia as well as any possible infections going on in his GI tract.

We’re on board with a team of doctors including our local oncologist, nutrition, GI, and soon Cardio-Thoracic.  We’re hoping they can all put their brains together to come up with the root of the pain rather than just masking it with medication. 

Kevin is getting a 2 unit blood transfusion as well today.  His hemo dropped to 8.2 which is not great.  He is definitely bleeding out again from the tumor, which was expected, as there are signs of it through his feeding tube.  We fully expect Kevin to have to be on continuous blood transfusions bi-weekly as long as he has this very vascular tumor in his chest.

Today we’re hoping to get ANSWERS rather than just more medication.  They also have him on meds to get him “moving” if you get my drift, as they believe that is also contributing to his stomach pain.

Pray that we get the answers we seek here in Lancaster and do not have to travel to JH.  Also pray this can be a short, successful hospital visit.  Pray for continued healing as God is the miracle healer of all!

I’ll update as I can, but I do not have the laptop with me anymore, so continue praying for only positive, and I am sure the Lord will hear our prayers.  Whatever His will, we follow.

Brenda wanted me to give an update.  Kevin will be an Lancaster General Hospital until further notice while they run more tests.  They have given him better pain medication and he is doing ok right now.

Kurt

Just stopping home quick to pack.  Spent 4 hours in the ER and found out that Kevin has some pockets of “something” in his stomach.  Could be related to his feeding tube or the cancer, not sure.  They are transporting him to Hopkins as soon as a bed opens.  Pray for us dearly and I’ll update when I can since I won’t have the laptop on me.  Thanks!

Heading to the ER here at LGH for our weekly visit.  This time, increased stomach pain, the “leak” from last night, and now coughing up blood.  Seems like pneumonia, especially with a slight fever, for that last symptom.  Others, unsure.  Hoping they take a CT scan and get my boy better.  Pray Hard!

It’s 5 am Sunday morning and Kevin woke to a “leak” which is never good when you’re the proud new owner of a j/g feeding tube!  It turns out something is leaking from around the j/g feeding tube site where it isn’t supposed to.  I put a call in with the cardio-thoracic on call Dr. and he said it isn’t normal, but that some fluid can build up and be released that way from the procedure.  However, if his symptoms (gagging, nausea, pain) increase and it does it again, we need to go down to JH. 

Ugh.  We are so sick of all these j/g issues and fear that it was misplaced, yet again.

  Dear Lord, please let this not be the case.  Rid Kevin of his stomach issues and help the j/g tube work the way it is supposed to so we can get much needed rest and relaxation for Kevin to recooperate.  We will do your will, whatever it is Lord.  Give us the calm we need to get through this situation, especially if it requies us to go down to JH again.  Amen.

…Just thought since we’re not having the most positive posts today, I’d post some old school pictures of Kevin and I from the past few years!

Kevin last summer at Assateague

Kev and I May of this year at Assateague

Me and Kev at my surprise bridal shower in Winnipeg-Summer 2006

Kristi, Kev, Me, Lou, Joni, Kurt & Bethany in Wellsboro, Pa at the PA Grand Canyon-Fall 2007

Kevin and I at Assinaboine Park in Winnipeg on New Years Eve 2005/2006

Kevin showing off our 1st Thanksgiving Turkey-Thanksgiving 2007

Our adorable Kitty Darrell who is currently staying with our great friends, the Mellingers-THANKS!

Me and Kevin at Uncle Don’s in Toronto over Christmas 2007

Kevin and I at a friend’s wedding-Summer 2007

Me and Kevin as a “Mob Couple”-October 2005

Kevin and I at a B&B in Missoula, MT where we originally hoped to be married-Spring 2006

Me and Kevin at a cousin’s wedding-Fall 2005

Bad webcam shot of the engagement ring after we were engaged in April 2006 in Missoula, MT!

Kevin and I in Medora, ND (home of Teddy Roosevelt National Park) on a camping expedition

Kev and I during St. Patrick’s Day 2007

Kev and I in Washington D.C. the week before our wedding-January 2007

Kev and I having fun at Winnipeg Beach-Summer 2006

Kev and I at our wedding social in Winnipeg-Summer 2006

Exchanging our vows-February 3, 2007

Kissy Kissy on our first anniversary where we cooked at home

Enjoy!

Kevin is still having major tummy troubles.  He’s a 5 out of 10 on the pain scale, which for him, is not great.  It’s been constant, and not even the fentanyl lollipops are doing much to cut the pain.  It started yesterday, and escalated today.  We believe the new tri-fecta of meds may not be working at all, so we’re going to stop the green liquid one that was added and just stick to the usual until we can talk to Kevin’s doctor on Monday to see what’s next on the list.

Frustrating for both of us as Kevin can’t get out of his chair or even stretch without gagging, which leaves me to do everything.  I don’t mind, but my body has its toll taken right now as well with my aches and pains.  I think I’ll go back on my joint glucosamine chondroiton meds to see if it helps at all with everything.

Keep us in your prayers and ask God to eliminite our pains and to continue to help this chemo disintigrate Kevin’s tumor.

Thanks so much.

Kevin’s stomach continues to be giving him lots of pain and nausea.  His gag reflux is especially going overboard with ANY unpleasant scents. Please lift him up so that he can overcome this and the meds will work.  Pray solutions will be found to give us a quality of life.  Thank you.

Yes, we’re very grateful it’s Friday.  Although we had a nice mini-vacy this week, we’re both just EXHAUSTED today.

Kevin just wrapped up his first round of chemo here in Lancaster, which completes 4 rounds!  Hopefully that means he’s well on his way to kickin this cancer in the bum!  Either way, something is kickin him in the bum, and he’s very tired and having lots of stomach issues again.

Praying something starts working soon and that new nutrition arrives on our door.  I’m praying that will solve all his digestive issues!

Wishing you all a safe, wonderful, Fall weekend!  Get outside and enjoy God’s amazing creation!

Congrats to my cousin Suzanne, and her hubby Stan, who welcomed a daughter on September 30th at 8:09 a.m.

Welcome Erilyn Rose, 9 lbs 5 oz to the Druck family-hopefully the FIRST of many grandbabies for the Druck side of the family.

Suzanne and Stan live in Terrace, British Columbia