Hopper52 Update

Well, it's been a week since my aborted surgery and the bad news. I feel I should share what transpired and where I am now. I had my MIE scheduled for Oct 07th. Not having difficulty swallowing but it seemed like nothing or very little was passing through. On Sep 12th my abdominal pain got unbearable and my research indicated a possible small intestine blockage. I called the surgeon and was advised to get to a hospital like quick. No beds open at Moffitt so I spent a week in a local hospital waiting. They did another CT scan and the ER doc said he saw blockage but he also saw tumor. They put in an NG tube to keep my stomach drained until I could get to Moffitt, where I was admitted, had another CT ran, upon which my oncologist came up and said I have weeks to months. The surgeon decided to have an ultrasound done but the ultrasound tech couldn't see any tumor (again a ray of hope). Surgeon came in and said he was going to go in and clear the blockage and check for tumor in the small intestine area and if there was none he would proceed with an Ivor Lewis. Unfortunately there was mucho cancer in my abdomen. Could take out some but the other he just resection and isolated. So I'm recovering from that surgery now. Having a lot of pain and an infection that I'm on antibiotics for. Receiving lots of loving care from my wonderful family and if we can get this infection/pain issue under control I can get back to having some quality time with them. I'm on morphine sulfate 30mg SA every 8 hours with oxycodone for breakthrough pain.Any suggestions would be appreciated. Like I said, once the surgical pain and the infection goes away, I'll be able to get a better picture.

On the mental and spiritual side, I'm not willing to accept weeks, months etc. When the Lord calls me I'll go. On the day Hezekiah was to die from sickness he asked for more time and God gave him 15 more years. How blessed we should be if He would do that for us all.

Mentally, I'm still dealing with the finality of it. Thought the other night that I guess there's no two minute warning. I'll just keep taking it one day at a time and trust in my God.

Thanks for everyone's prayers and support

Michael Daniels Stage IV
Brandon FL

Comments

  • TerryV
    TerryV Member Posts: 887
    Bless you, Michael!
    Your faith and courage are inspiring. Having good family around doesn't hurt either ;)

    The prayers and support from here continue.....

    Terry
  • rose20
    rose20 Member Posts: 258
    Thank you Michael for the update!
    I was just thinking and praying for you this morning and was so glad to see the update.
    I pray you will get to feeling better so you can share time with your family.
    As you say, God has that final word.
    In His time.
  • chemosmoker
    chemosmoker Member Posts: 501
    SO GOOD TO SEE MICHAEL POSTING AGAIN!
    Michael,
    You know that I love you, and that everyone here does, too.
    We are ALL praying for you. Maybe you will get that 15 years, I know I sure would like that amount of time with my wife, my kids, my family, and all of you. I think I would just keep on posting for 15 more years. But, as you said, when we are called, we must go.
    None of us know when He wants us home for good.

    I am truly sorry you had to suffer and that you have pain and infection. I wish those away for you very very quickly. I hope the Morphine and Oxycodone work for you well. Take MORE when you need to. I take those, and my dosages are MUCH higher. Makes me wonder just how "spread" my tumors really are. But I am glad you have your family and your kids and wife and the Lord watching over you, taking care of you, and I wish you peace and calm.

    Don't let the "thought boogieman" get to you too much. He does me, once in a while. It takes EXTRA prayers to get him out of my head and get the calm back in. You are not alone with the thoughts and two minute warning scares. We are all here for you. We are all pulling for you.

    I admire your strength to post in your current condition and it shows your dedication to all of us and I am moved by that too.

    I admire you Michael. I have never met you, I have never met anyone here, but you were one of the first ones to write back to me here, and I have looked up to you ever since then.

    Keep up the good fight and continue to take it a day at a time, as that is all HE has promised us, ever. I am grateful every morning when i realize that I am awake, alive, and have another day to enjoy. I usually head straight here to see how all of my friends are doing, before anyone else is even awake.

    I look forward to your posts and I wish you all the strength in the world, and a very speedy recovery from your surgery. I sure hope there is less pain now that the blockage has been bypassed. May you eat and enjoy your time with everyone again soon.

    For now just rest. I am glad you are here.

    Much love and may God bless you,
    -Eric
  • Joel C
    Joel C Member Posts: 174

    SO GOOD TO SEE MICHAEL POSTING AGAIN!
    Michael,
    You know that I love you, and that everyone here does, too.
    We are ALL praying for you. Maybe you will get that 15 years, I know I sure would like that amount of time with my wife, my kids, my family, and all of you. I think I would just keep on posting for 15 more years. But, as you said, when we are called, we must go.
    None of us know when He wants us home for good.

    I am truly sorry you had to suffer and that you have pain and infection. I wish those away for you very very quickly. I hope the Morphine and Oxycodone work for you well. Take MORE when you need to. I take those, and my dosages are MUCH higher. Makes me wonder just how "spread" my tumors really are. But I am glad you have your family and your kids and wife and the Lord watching over you, taking care of you, and I wish you peace and calm.

    Don't let the "thought boogieman" get to you too much. He does me, once in a while. It takes EXTRA prayers to get him out of my head and get the calm back in. You are not alone with the thoughts and two minute warning scares. We are all here for you. We are all pulling for you.

    I admire your strength to post in your current condition and it shows your dedication to all of us and I am moved by that too.

    I admire you Michael. I have never met you, I have never met anyone here, but you were one of the first ones to write back to me here, and I have looked up to you ever since then.

    Keep up the good fight and continue to take it a day at a time, as that is all HE has promised us, ever. I am grateful every morning when i realize that I am awake, alive, and have another day to enjoy. I usually head straight here to see how all of my friends are doing, before anyone else is even awake.

    I look forward to your posts and I wish you all the strength in the world, and a very speedy recovery from your surgery. I sure hope there is less pain now that the blockage has been bypassed. May you eat and enjoy your time with everyone again soon.

    For now just rest. I am glad you are here.

    Much love and may God bless you,
    -Eric

    Michael,


    I’m so sorry to hear about the pain and disappointment you are going through. It has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride. Like Terry said keep your family close. As far as suggestions I’m not sure what to say, perhaps don’t let your mind fight your body too hard. Try to be as peaceful as possible and your body will take you to where you need to be. I know those are only words Michael but I hope you find peace and comfort.

    Take care my friend,
    Joel
  • Wpturner05
    Wpturner05 Member Posts: 114
    prayers
    I am glad to hear that you have the loving support of your family as you are recovering, yet preparing in the days, weeks, months, years ahead. Hopefully the pain subside quickly and the infection clears quickly as well so that you may move onto enjoying and living the days the lord has given you.

    Whitney
    wife of Kevin
    stage IVb
  • bingbing2009
    bingbing2009 Member Posts: 177
    Good to hear from you!
    It's good to see you posting again. I'm so sorry you're having pain. Infections can certainly be nasty. Thank goodness for the love and help of family. By the way, I had a nasty infection after my Ivor Lewis surgery, so I can relate to what you're going through infection-wise. Eating high protein foods helped my infection heal faster.
    Your attitude is certainly inspiring. Here's hoping you can get those extra 15 years!
    My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Melinda
  • sammy123
    sammy123 Member Posts: 65

    Good to hear from you!
    It's good to see you posting again. I'm so sorry you're having pain. Infections can certainly be nasty. Thank goodness for the love and help of family. By the way, I had a nasty infection after my Ivor Lewis surgery, so I can relate to what you're going through infection-wise. Eating high protein foods helped my infection heal faster.
    Your attitude is certainly inspiring. Here's hoping you can get those extra 15 years!
    My thoughts and prayers are with you.
    Melinda

    I thiink of you often and
    I thiink of you often and know the pain and anxiety you and your family are going through at this time. No one, not one single person can tell us how long we have to live. None of us who are strong and healthy or weak and frail knows our destiny. My neighbor was Stage Four Lung Cancer 3 years ago, they gave her grim news, today she is going to the movies. Stay strong, stay prayful and live each day like there is no tomorrow!!!! That's my two cents!!!!! xox
  • LeeinLondon
    LeeinLondon Member Posts: 103
    So sorry...
    ... to hear the news Michael;

    Sending you strength and good thoughts from afar...

    Lee
  • fredswilma
    fredswilma Member Posts: 185
    Michael
    So pleased that you

    Michael
    So pleased that you are surrounded by your family, hoping the pain and infection are dealt with quickly, you are so right nobody knows the day and time so wishing you that 15years or however long spent enjoying life and family.
    Thinking of you.
    Ann
  • sandy1943
    sandy1943 Member Posts: 824
    Praying for God to touch you
    Praying for God to touch you in a mighty way. May your healing come soon ,so you can enjoy your family and friends. God holds your destiny and I'm praying He wants to leave you with us a long time to come.
    Hugs, Sandra
  • mrsbotch
    mrsbotch Member Posts: 349
    Mike
    May you have many more days with your wonderful family. This life of ours is very short to begin with and with EC even shorter at times. I pray that you are pain free and continue to overcome these obstacles that have been placed in front of you. You are one hell of a man and you take care of yourself.


    Much love

    Barbara
  • ArchTB
    ArchTB Member Posts: 150
    Not what I hoped to hear
    Michael,
    I have not been to the site for a while, and having finally come back, this is not the news I hoped to see. I really don't know what to say. It is heartbreaking. I am wishing you and your family lots of strengths.
    Olya
  • Ericalynn
    Ericalynn Member Posts: 200
    Hi Michael
    Hello Michael,
    Glad to see you posting. One Day at a Time! I hope you heal up quickly and you can spend quality time with your family! Do they love football like you do? Buc's on Monday night football and "Chucky" will be back in the house it better not be blacked out! You and I will be VERY Upset! We are here for you, let us know if you need anything. Take Care, heal fast and GO BUC's ( and RAY's) LOL!
    Your Friend Erica
  • cher76
    cher76 Member Posts: 292
    Michael,
    I was so saddened

    Michael,
    I was so saddened to see your recent posts. Have been gone for awhile and am just now catching up. Know that you and your family are in my prayers.
    Cheryl
  • Denise54
    Denise54 Member Posts: 20
    In My Thoughts
    Hello Michael...you've been in my thoughts lately, just finished reading your update and I'm amazed. Take things day by day, having a wonderful family and friends to support you is the best. We are ALL on borrowed time, only the good Lord knows when he'll take us home. For now, we'll fight this rigorous battle, we're another family here to support you!! May the Lord bless you and your wonderful family!! Sending more prayers your way.

    Denise
  • jojoshort
    jojoshort Member Posts: 230 Member
    Dear Michael
    Yes, one day at a time. You are being kept close in my heart. Enjoy your family, and hoping you are feeling better.
    Jo-Ann
  • Daisylin
    Daisylin Member Posts: 365
    jojoshort said:

    Dear Michael
    Yes, one day at a time. You are being kept close in my heart. Enjoy your family, and hoping you are feeling better.
    Jo-Ann

    Michael
    I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts. I'm so glad that you are surrounded by loved ones. May their love be of great comfort to you. I wish you as many pain free days, months or years as you may be granted. We never know what tomorrow will bring, so enjoy evey day as if it were your last.
    Be well Michael,
    Chantal