I'm new here. Husband having surgery tomorrow. Please pray for us.

Trish_from_Pittsburgh
Trish_from_Pittsburgh Member Posts: 56
edited March 2014 in Esophageal Cancer #1
Hi everyone!

I'm new to this site. I've been reading some of your posts and finding it very encouraging and informative.

Well, here's my story in a nutshell. My husband, Roy (age 56), was diagnosed with Stage III EC in June of this year. He had trouble swallowing in May, went for a doctor's appt. and after having a PET scan they found this. Tumor is in mid chest and has spread to several lymph nodes. After chemo and radiation and then another repeat PET/CT scan they said everything has shrunk enough for surgery. He is getting surgery tomorrow at Presby Hospital in Pittsburgh. Dr. Luketich and his associates will be performing the surgery. I've heard he is in excellent hands.

I was diagnosed in March, 1998 with breast cancer. After a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation I have been free of cancer ever since. Thank you, God! My husband was there for me every step of the way and I will be there for him, too.

One thing I have learned from having cancer myself is, once you have been diagnosed with cancer you are still the same person you were before, and how you handle any crisis in your life is how you will handle this. I know if I have a crisis, I will totally break down and cry first, then I need to make a plan to get through it. So I allowed myself time to cry over this and then I started my plan.

I know you need to be able to get through things physically, emotionally and financially.
I know that we can get through this emotionally because we have a strong support system in all our loving family and friends who will be there for us. Physically I know that I will have to take care of myself so I can take care of my husband, and I have to help him in every way I can to get him better physically. And the financial part we're still working on, one day at a time. The rest is in God's hands.

So, to sum it all up......We are very nervous about the surgery tomorrow and are asking for prayers to help strengthen us. Please include us in your prayers. It will be very appreciated.

I'm so glad I found this site. I'd like to keep in touch and let you all know how things are going. I think that might be therapy for me while he is recovering.

Thank you everyone for your thoughts, prayers and support.

God bless each and every one of you. I'll be talking to you soon.

Trish
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Comments

  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member
    WELCOME TO OUR SITE,
    First off I think you have an excellent doctor William Marshall is a survivor of his surgery and so is Kathy (mumphys) husband which just recently had this done, I live in Oklahoma and my husband was diagnosed on April fools day stage 2 but not in lymph nodes, he had the open surgery on July 23, even though he went through surgery like a breeze he had complications afterwards, This will be your therapy, as it was mine, if I wouldnt have had this site, I wouldn't have made it through everything without this site even though i was scared poopless, Mr. Marshall did scare me, cause he just tells it like it is, but he is a very very knowledgeable man, and after awhile I couldn't make it without him, if fact when my husband was so bad I begged and pleaded for him to help me. I know what you mean fiancial i just put it in GOD's hands, as my husband's company closed down while he was in the hospital after being opened since the 30's here in oklahoma. It was sad. Be sure to apply for social security for him cause it does get pushed through quicker with EC cancer.
    I do want to wish you luck but if you would have let us know we could have sent you some BIG GIRL PANTIES to get through the surgery.

    Please keep us informed of your husbands surgery


    Lori aka MOE
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  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    Hi Trish,
    Hi I'm Kathy(aka Mumphy)

    My husband Al had his surgery on Oct. 19th By Dr. Luketich. You husbands procedure may run a little longer than he may have told you
    Al's took 10 hours, but in the end there is nother like hearing everything went according to plan and you will be able to see him in
    about an hour.

    You will be nervous, and anxious and the whole gambit of emotions while you are waiting. Don't forget to eat you need your strength!
    After a few days your husband will start to come out of the clouds, don't get nervous if he doesn't make sence it's the pain meds.

    He will have a few tubes I'm sure that this was all explained to you. Al was in the hospital for a week they sent him home with a feeding
    tube and a drain, neither of these are hard to take care of,or hard to do.

    You will have a home care nurse 2 time a week until they think he can be released.

    It will be hard for you once he gets home to not want to wait on him hand and foot. I am learning right now that its time to make
    my husband get off his but and do more. They get spoiled

    I just want you to know that your husband will be in God and Dr. Luketich's hands and I can not think of any one better then that!!!

    I will be thinking of you all day tomarrow! Here's a hint bring an extra tote bag or jacket and leave it on your chairs because if
    you leave the family waiting area they will be gone when you get back and there may not be any place left to sit, but don't sit there
    the entire time just let the one of the girls at the desk know your leaving. The will call your cell phone if your needed for anything
    also the will give you updates throughout the day to let you know how things are going just listen for you number and they will call
    you to the front to update you.

    There is no greater gift that you can get then when Dr. Luketich looks at you and says everthing went well you can see him in an hour
    or so!

    Also just a little info my husband had stage IV EC and was still able to have his surgery!!

    Go to bed early 5:00 am comes early.

    God Bless!
    Kath
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member
    Hi Trish
    First, let me say I am praying for you before your surgery. Second, let me tell you that you are your hubby's advocate while he is in the hospital. If the pain meds mess him up, or he needs something, don't feel bad for asking. The nurses let me know right away that it is OK to bother them, that is why they are there.

    Second, wow, a survivor who is married to a soon to be survivor! That is wonderful. Isn't it funny how going through something like this just brings out what you really ARE all along? Sure tells you who your friends are --and how strong your marriage is. (As you know from your cancer experience.)

    You'll make it through this, too. God will carry you when you cannot walk.

    We are here if you need anything.
    Betty
  • Hi Trish
    First, let me say I am praying for you before your surgery. Second, let me tell you that you are your hubby's advocate while he is in the hospital. If the pain meds mess him up, or he needs something, don't feel bad for asking. The nurses let me know right away that it is OK to bother them, that is why they are there.

    Second, wow, a survivor who is married to a soon to be survivor! That is wonderful. Isn't it funny how going through something like this just brings out what you really ARE all along? Sure tells you who your friends are --and how strong your marriage is. (As you know from your cancer experience.)

    You'll make it through this, too. God will carry you when you cannot walk.

    We are here if you need anything.
    Betty

    Can't thank you all enough!
    Wow! I went to the drug store to pick up my husband's Go-lytely after I posted this morning and when I came back I checked this site again. I never imagined you all would reply to me so fast and so lovingly. I can't thank you enough Lori, William, Loretta, Kathy & Betty for all your advise, support and prayers. I read every one of your letters to my husband. He was so touched by the support we are getting from strangers (and now you are our friends). We can feel strength and love from all of you. Today has been a very emotional day for me. Been crying at the drop of a hat all day. Every kind word starts me crying a bucket of tears. I pray tomorrow evening will be a bucket of happy tears!

    Love to all of you,

    Trish (and Roy)
  • Betty in Vegas
    Betty in Vegas Member Posts: 290 Member

    Can't thank you all enough!
    Wow! I went to the drug store to pick up my husband's Go-lytely after I posted this morning and when I came back I checked this site again. I never imagined you all would reply to me so fast and so lovingly. I can't thank you enough Lori, William, Loretta, Kathy & Betty for all your advise, support and prayers. I read every one of your letters to my husband. He was so touched by the support we are getting from strangers (and now you are our friends). We can feel strength and love from all of you. Today has been a very emotional day for me. Been crying at the drop of a hat all day. Every kind word starts me crying a bucket of tears. I pray tomorrow evening will be a bucket of happy tears!

    Love to all of you,

    Trish (and Roy)

    Ohhhh this will be great!
    Another cryer in the house. I am tired of feeling like I am the only one. Sometimes I cry for NO REASON...it's so weird!

    We can cry together. I learned in caretaker's classes that there are stress hormones released in every tear. Therefore, it is good to cry and wash away the stress!

    You will like this site and getting to know everyone's stories. It is most helpful to have others to talk to and to hear their experiences. You can find ours on our carepage. William's is ALL OVER the internet, and everyone else can fill you in on theirs! It's good not to be alone!

    Hugs,
    Betty
    www.carepages.com/carepages/ourjourneyinhishands
  • K_ann1015
    K_ann1015 Member Posts: 500

    Can't thank you all enough!
    Wow! I went to the drug store to pick up my husband's Go-lytely after I posted this morning and when I came back I checked this site again. I never imagined you all would reply to me so fast and so lovingly. I can't thank you enough Lori, William, Loretta, Kathy & Betty for all your advise, support and prayers. I read every one of your letters to my husband. He was so touched by the support we are getting from strangers (and now you are our friends). We can feel strength and love from all of you. Today has been a very emotional day for me. Been crying at the drop of a hat all day. Every kind word starts me crying a bucket of tears. I pray tomorrow evening will be a bucket of happy tears!

    Love to all of you,

    Trish (and Roy)

    praying for happy tears ---after all the "fear" tears!
    Hi Trish and Roy,
    again, welcome--so touching too see that another is able to get comfort, strength & peace from this site---as many of us do... My dad is the EC patient--he will have surgery 12/8 at Duke in NC. I, like Betty, liked to hear that I wasn't the only crier!! But that was mostly in the beginning---this site really helped alot... I have a medical background and knowing that my dad had at least stage 3 (and possibly stage 4)--I just read too much and most is not good---but at least this site had real life positive stories---not sugar coated, mind you---but enough for hope. Also the reminder that God alone was in charge...

    My prayers and thoughts swill be with you and Roy tomorrow--you are in great hands! I tried to talk my parents into a second opinion there... Just hang on for the ride--it is a big surgery and big recovery. JUst know you actually will have lots of "online" friends here. Esophageal cancer just is not something that you can talk about with a neighbor or friend very easily. Most have never known anyone that have had it. On this site--all are having very close experiences with it.
    Best of surgery wishes to you both!!@!
    Kim
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  • Hope_Faith
    Hope_Faith Member Posts: 150
    Praying ~
    Hi Trish,
    I know your hubby had surgery today and am very anxious to hear how it went. My hubby (Stage III EC) will be having surgery soon - we will find out on Dec. 3rd the surgery date when we meet with the surgeon at UCLA.
    Thoughts, prayers, and blessings,
    Shelly
  • Praying ~
    Hi Trish,
    I know your hubby had surgery today and am very anxious to hear how it went. My hubby (Stage III EC) will be having surgery soon - we will find out on Dec. 3rd the surgery date when we meet with the surgeon at UCLA.
    Thoughts, prayers, and blessings,
    Shelly

    Well, Surgery is Finally Over!!
    Well everyone,

    It's been a loooooong day!! It's 11:00 at night. Just got home from the hospital since 5:00 am this moning. Surgery was supposed to last 6-8 hours but lasted 11 hours! Dr. said everything went as planned, except for problems with his lungs. They think he had a touch of pneumonia going into the surgery, plus his lungs were scarred from chemo & radiation, plus he has COPD. So when they did his surgery they had to deflate one lung so they could work on his side, but his other lung was too weak to withstand the whole surgery, so they had to take turns inflating & deflating each lung and let the other one rest for awhile. But aside from the lung issues, he did very well, as planned. He certainly isn't out of the woods yet, by no means, but hopefully each day will see an improvement.

    I can't say thanks enough for all your kind thoughts and prayers. They really mean a lot to both of us. Please continue to pray for good health for Roy as I continue to pray for each and every one of you.

    God bless,

    Trish
  • Well, Surgery is Finally Over!!
    Well everyone,

    It's been a loooooong day!! It's 11:00 at night. Just got home from the hospital since 5:00 am this moning. Surgery was supposed to last 6-8 hours but lasted 11 hours! Dr. said everything went as planned, except for problems with his lungs. They think he had a touch of pneumonia going into the surgery, plus his lungs were scarred from chemo & radiation, plus he has COPD. So when they did his surgery they had to deflate one lung so they could work on his side, but his other lung was too weak to withstand the whole surgery, so they had to take turns inflating & deflating each lung and let the other one rest for awhile. But aside from the lung issues, he did very well, as planned. He certainly isn't out of the woods yet, by no means, but hopefully each day will see an improvement.

    I can't say thanks enough for all your kind thoughts and prayers. They really mean a lot to both of us. Please continue to pray for good health for Roy as I continue to pray for each and every one of you.

    God bless,

    Trish

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator
  • unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    My Guardian Angel
    William (and all my new friends),

    First thing I saw when I got home from the hospital last night was your post you sent to me as we were preparing for surgery yesterday. Then first thing this morning was your reply to me after I had gone to bed last night. Do you ever sleep or are you at your computer all day and night to guide and protect me and all the others on this site? lol Seriously, though, I think God has brought us to each other through this site. Your words are very comforting, my guardian angel.

    Well, I tried to deliver your message to Dr. Luketich yesterday but I never saw him all day, just his associates (who are wonderful people!).

    About the private e-mail - I didn't know about that feature, so I'll have to sign up for that today if I get a chance.

    Roy did have a stretching of the esophagus when they inserted his infusa-port in July. But I didn't know that he may need to have it done repeatedly (good info to know, thanks), but let's just keep that our secret because if I tell that to Roy he'll never tell me if he is having any issues because he wouldn't want any further surgeries, minor as they may be, I'm sure.

    Dr. said they were able to remove all of the tumor and he said the lymph nodes they removed did not appear to be cancerous. We will wait for the results from pathology. They were able to use his stomach for the new esophagus, as planned and didn't have to use any of his bowels which was good because Roy said "that would make everything I eat taste crappy". lol He hasn't lost his sense of humor! They also were able to use MIE and didn't have to do an open procedure. Good, too.

    Yes, he was a smoker for over 35 years (at least 2 packs per day). That lead to his COPD. He has been smoke free for almost 5 years now!

    You are right, this definately will be a beautiful Thanksgiving with lots to be thankful for (my family, Dr. Luketich, and you and all the friends on this site who have been with me these last couple days)! I wish I knew about this site a long time ago, but I found you all now and I have to say "Thank you all from the bottom of my heart and may each of you have a very blessed Thanksgiving"!

    Much love,

    Trish
  • MOE58
    MOE58 Member Posts: 589 Member

    Well, Surgery is Finally Over!!
    Well everyone,

    It's been a loooooong day!! It's 11:00 at night. Just got home from the hospital since 5:00 am this moning. Surgery was supposed to last 6-8 hours but lasted 11 hours! Dr. said everything went as planned, except for problems with his lungs. They think he had a touch of pneumonia going into the surgery, plus his lungs were scarred from chemo & radiation, plus he has COPD. So when they did his surgery they had to deflate one lung so they could work on his side, but his other lung was too weak to withstand the whole surgery, so they had to take turns inflating & deflating each lung and let the other one rest for awhile. But aside from the lung issues, he did very well, as planned. He certainly isn't out of the woods yet, by no means, but hopefully each day will see an improvement.

    I can't say thanks enough for all your kind thoughts and prayers. They really mean a lot to both of us. Please continue to pray for good health for Roy as I continue to pray for each and every one of you.

    God bless,

    Trish

    I can relate
    Hi Trish

    I can relate thats exactly what they had to do to my husband during surgery, no he isn't out of the woods yet if he can get through the weekend he will make it, mine i almost lost cause of his lung issue, Mine had the open surgery, it makes it a loooooooong day when you are up there so long, I know you are glad its over, I was but the waiting is the hard part. If I can help please let me know, sounds like your Big Girl Panties worked just right, I am so happy that things are looking up I am off to work and really cant read much posts so will read them tonight.

    Take Care
    Lori
  • chrisk06
    chrisk06 Member Posts: 110

    Well, Surgery is Finally Over!!
    Well everyone,

    It's been a loooooong day!! It's 11:00 at night. Just got home from the hospital since 5:00 am this moning. Surgery was supposed to last 6-8 hours but lasted 11 hours! Dr. said everything went as planned, except for problems with his lungs. They think he had a touch of pneumonia going into the surgery, plus his lungs were scarred from chemo & radiation, plus he has COPD. So when they did his surgery they had to deflate one lung so they could work on his side, but his other lung was too weak to withstand the whole surgery, so they had to take turns inflating & deflating each lung and let the other one rest for awhile. But aside from the lung issues, he did very well, as planned. He certainly isn't out of the woods yet, by no means, but hopefully each day will see an improvement.

    I can't say thanks enough for all your kind thoughts and prayers. They really mean a lot to both of us. Please continue to pray for good health for Roy as I continue to pray for each and every one of you.

    God bless,

    Trish

    Welcome
    Trish,
    I am new here to, but my husband (Steve) surgery was like your husbands. Tooko way longer than they thought, and he had the lung issue to where they inflated and deflated throughout the surgery. Just wanted to let you know both of you will be in my prayers. Take care!


    Chris
  • Hope_Faith
    Hope_Faith Member Posts: 150
    unknown said:

    This comment has been removed by the Moderator

    FYI
    Just a quick FYI. The facility my hubby had his chemo/radiation treatments at also have the CyberKnife radiation machine. However, because of the location of the esophagus and surrounding lymph nodes, it can't be used. With esophageal cancer, they want more of a spread due to possible lymph node involvement. Maybe if there is no possibility of lymph node involvement it could be used but I didn't think to ask that question - now I wish I did.
    Blessings,
    Shelly
  • Hope_Faith
    Hope_Faith Member Posts: 150

    Well, Surgery is Finally Over!!
    Well everyone,

    It's been a loooooong day!! It's 11:00 at night. Just got home from the hospital since 5:00 am this moning. Surgery was supposed to last 6-8 hours but lasted 11 hours! Dr. said everything went as planned, except for problems with his lungs. They think he had a touch of pneumonia going into the surgery, plus his lungs were scarred from chemo & radiation, plus he has COPD. So when they did his surgery they had to deflate one lung so they could work on his side, but his other lung was too weak to withstand the whole surgery, so they had to take turns inflating & deflating each lung and let the other one rest for awhile. But aside from the lung issues, he did very well, as planned. He certainly isn't out of the woods yet, by no means, but hopefully each day will see an improvement.

    I can't say thanks enough for all your kind thoughts and prayers. They really mean a lot to both of us. Please continue to pray for good health for Roy as I continue to pray for each and every one of you.

    God bless,

    Trish

    Surgery ~
    Yay! I'm so glad that he is out of surgery and on his way to recovery! God is so good! I will keep you guys in my prayers.
    Blessings,
    Shelly
  • Tina Blondek
    Tina Blondek Member Posts: 1,500 Member

    Surgery ~
    Yay! I'm so glad that he is out of surgery and on his way to recovery! God is so good! I will keep you guys in my prayers.
    Blessings,
    Shelly

    Dear Trish,
    Hello! I am also

    Dear Trish,
    Hello! I am also new to this wonderful sight. I have been following your story, and was so thrilled to hear that your husband's surgery went as planned. I was thinking of both of you yesterday. My father, Ray, 70, was diagnosed with EC Nov. 2008. He has completed oral chemo, and 6 wks of radiation. Last pet scan showed considerable shrinkage of the tumor.

    There was quite a bit of discussion on whether or not to have the surgery. We were all on the fence about it. Thoracic surgeon was all for it, ongologist was questioning it, and so were we. Well, here we are one year later, without having the surgery, and dad is still hanging in there! Just went for a check up yesterday, and the ongologist has suggested dad have an angioplasty dilation done to open the esophagus more, due to what he feels is scar tissue from the radiation. Dad is still having some difficulty swallowing. So...we are in the process of making the appointment to meet with the gastro dr. to discuss the dialation process. Dad is also due for another pet scan.
    All of this has been done at University of Virginia hospital in Charlottesville, VA


    That is my story of EC in a nutshell! Please know that I am keeping you and your husband in my prayers, and just ask that you do the same! Thank you, and God Bless!

    Sincerely,
    Tina
  • Dear Trish,
    Hello! I am also

    Dear Trish,
    Hello! I am also new to this wonderful sight. I have been following your story, and was so thrilled to hear that your husband's surgery went as planned. I was thinking of both of you yesterday. My father, Ray, 70, was diagnosed with EC Nov. 2008. He has completed oral chemo, and 6 wks of radiation. Last pet scan showed considerable shrinkage of the tumor.

    There was quite a bit of discussion on whether or not to have the surgery. We were all on the fence about it. Thoracic surgeon was all for it, ongologist was questioning it, and so were we. Well, here we are one year later, without having the surgery, and dad is still hanging in there! Just went for a check up yesterday, and the ongologist has suggested dad have an angioplasty dilation done to open the esophagus more, due to what he feels is scar tissue from the radiation. Dad is still having some difficulty swallowing. So...we are in the process of making the appointment to meet with the gastro dr. to discuss the dialation process. Dad is also due for another pet scan.
    All of this has been done at University of Virginia hospital in Charlottesville, VA


    That is my story of EC in a nutshell! Please know that I am keeping you and your husband in my prayers, and just ask that you do the same! Thank you, and God Bless!

    Sincerely,
    Tina

    Just got back from hospital tonight
    Hi everyone,

    Just got back from seeing my hubby at the hospital today. They still have him on the ventilator. That is the part he doesn't like (He had a triple bypass surgery 4 years ago and still remembers that as being the worse part)! His blood pressure was low but is coming up now. The nurse said he has made significant improvement in the last 12 hours! He was on total life support last night but tonight all that is left is the ventilator and they are trying to wean him off of that late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

    He's still medicated and only opening his eyes a little but I asked him to squeeze my hand if he loved me and he just about stopped the circulation in my hand from squeezing it so hard! (More tears!!!)

    I can't say enough about UPMC Presby Hospital in Pittsburgh and their staff. This is my first experience with this hospital. We usually went to St. Clair Hospital but they said Dr. Luketich works out of Presby Hospital, so I said OK I guess that's where we will go. I didn't know anything about Presby Hospital but I thought would you rather be where your doctor is more comfortable or where you are more comfortable? Thank goodness I picked where the doctor is more comfortable because I love the doctors and nurses at Presby Hospital!

    Love & prayers to all,

    Trish
  • mumphy
    mumphy Member Posts: 440

    Just got back from hospital tonight
    Hi everyone,

    Just got back from seeing my hubby at the hospital today. They still have him on the ventilator. That is the part he doesn't like (He had a triple bypass surgery 4 years ago and still remembers that as being the worse part)! His blood pressure was low but is coming up now. The nurse said he has made significant improvement in the last 12 hours! He was on total life support last night but tonight all that is left is the ventilator and they are trying to wean him off of that late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

    He's still medicated and only opening his eyes a little but I asked him to squeeze my hand if he loved me and he just about stopped the circulation in my hand from squeezing it so hard! (More tears!!!)

    I can't say enough about UPMC Presby Hospital in Pittsburgh and their staff. This is my first experience with this hospital. We usually went to St. Clair Hospital but they said Dr. Luketich works out of Presby Hospital, so I said OK I guess that's where we will go. I didn't know anything about Presby Hospital but I thought would you rather be where your doctor is more comfortable or where you are more comfortable? Thank goodness I picked where the doctor is more comfortable because I love the doctors and nurses at Presby Hospital!

    Love & prayers to all,

    Trish

    Glad thing are going so well!!
    Hi Trish,

    I'm glad to hear that your husband is doing so well, after he comes off of the ventilator he
    should progress daily. I think that we are truely bless living in Pittsburgh and to be able
    to have access to a facility like UPMC, Dr. Luketich and the wonderful staff.

    I know that without them most other Dr.s would not have been willing to take on Al's case being that he was stage IV. It has now been 6 weeks since his surgery. I just want to let you know this because your husband will be home and recovering in no time.

    We truely have been blessed this Thanksgiving.

    Just remember to get your rest, eat and don't get run down. I tell you this because he is in good hands and you need to be ready for when he comes home.

    Keep us updated on his progress and if you have any questions there just ask someone is always
    here and most of the time we can answer them.

    God Bless!!!
    Kath
  • mumphy said:

    Glad thing are going so well!!
    Hi Trish,

    I'm glad to hear that your husband is doing so well, after he comes off of the ventilator he
    should progress daily. I think that we are truely bless living in Pittsburgh and to be able
    to have access to a facility like UPMC, Dr. Luketich and the wonderful staff.

    I know that without them most other Dr.s would not have been willing to take on Al's case being that he was stage IV. It has now been 6 weeks since his surgery. I just want to let you know this because your husband will be home and recovering in no time.

    We truely have been blessed this Thanksgiving.

    Just remember to get your rest, eat and don't get run down. I tell you this because he is in good hands and you need to be ready for when he comes home.

    Keep us updated on his progress and if you have any questions there just ask someone is always
    here and most of the time we can answer them.

    God Bless!!!
    Kath

    Extra prayers please!!!!
    Just talked to nurse at hospital.....She said hubby was so aggitated last night they had to sedate him again. He spiked a fever, too (102.6), most likely from pneumonia. Today's plan is to try to wean him from the ventilator again and control the pneumonia.

    I don't know quite what the "Big Girl Panties" thing is about (if someone can explain that to me), but right now I think mine are slipping........