Day #6: One to Remember

Ok...so this is a tough one to even write...

Today started off fairly well for Kara.  After an exam this morning, a small hole was confirmed at the site where the colon was reconnected.  She had a pic line put in (to avoid having more IV lines and for access to draw blood), and was scheduled for surgery tomorrow (Tuesday) morning to have the hole repaired. 

Shortly before noon Kara started experiencing sudden sharp and radiating pain throughout her abdomen.  The pain was drastic and stronger than anything she'd ever felt before.  Various consults, medicines, and xrays followed as the pain did not cease.  Thankfully, a team was able to give her some relief and help her to breathe a little easier.  About 5 pm Kara was taken emergently to the operating room.  The abscess at the site had ruptured and was leaking into her abdominal cavity.  The surgeons cleaned out the drainage and flushed her body with 12 liters of clean fluid.   An ileostomy was created and the original hole in the colon was not repaired at this time.  She will undergo another surgery at a later date when she is more stable.

Tonight Kara is a patient in the ICU where she normally works.  They will keep her intubated and sedated throughout the night and continue to drain fluid from both her stomach and pelvis.  It was so hard to see her in such pain this afternoon, and then all hooked up this evening.  Although we know that she is in great care in the ICU, we also recognize the need for a bigger hand in her healing.  Please pray for strength, comfort, and recovery.

On a positive note, the oncologist met with Kara this morning.  After conferring with his colleagues and reviewing her pathology reports, the Dr. shared that NO further action is needed at this time in terms of cancer treatment.  Even this afternoon, Kara was positive about undergoing any pain or procedure in exchange for being cancer-free.

Prayers, prayers, prayers...