I will use this entry to update all you prayer warriors on events during today. If you subscribe, you will probably only get one email from this initial post so you will have to check the website. I’m hoping to have 2 or maybe 3 more updates as the day progresses. I expect to see one surgeon mid-day but have been told to go back to the hotel and hear from them by phone at the end. I don’t expect to be able to see Suzanne after surgery, but I’ll try!

EARLY MORNING – Suzanne’s day started at 4 am as she had to drink a whole bottle of Gatorade by 4:45, and then she was off to Admitting at 5:45. Rush Hospital changed their Pre-Op guest policy yesterday so I was able to be with her ‘in-back’ until she left for surgery. Another Covid test where they hang a sign on your room to keep everyone out until the results are known. Then, – Confusion – which had to be the Sesame Street Word for the morning! Her chart indicated to “Save Left Arm” so everyone wanted to use her right arm for blood and IV. WRONG! Since she is left-handed, her surgeon planned on using her right arm for the needed tissue to do the reconstruction. So the staff had to ‘get in touch with the team’ to confirm which arm to use. Well, the team showed up at 7:45 (the time surgery was scheduled) and confirmed we were correct. So a flurry of activity that was supposed to take place from 6-7:30 now all had to take place in moments. The blood draw was done by the anesthesiologist when he placed the IV to speed things up. Out the door she went about 8:15am which meant we were already a little behind as the operating room is booked for her from 7:45am to 6:45pm.

MID-AFTERNOON – Just got a call that things are going pretty much as planned. Suzanne appears to be doing well with the procedure. Both doctors are working simultaneously, one currently dissecting the tumor, the other removing the needed tissue from her arm for reconstruction. Not knowing how all this works, you would have thought they have been at this a long time to tell me that. But, I have no idea how long all the prep work took, inserting the tracheotomy, remove the lymph nodes, etc. They thought the reconstruction process would begin in an hour or so. The whole surgery seems to be taking a little longer than their original estimates and expect to hear more as different pieces of the surgery concluded.

I did just learn that no matter how long the surgery takes, I will be allowed to visit her in ICU for a few minutes this evening. 🙂

EARLY EVENING – The tumor has been resected but the reconstruction is taking a little longer than expected. They needed more tissue to finish the job so they had to harvest a little more which added time. At this point, they hope to be done around 8 pm or a little after. I hope to still speak to the doctor when finished.

9:00 pm – The last text I received said “The procedure is progressing as expected” and then “The patient is doing well”. Same text messages I have gotten every couple of hours since it started. The Visitors Center staff left at 8 pm and I’m the only one in the waiting room, although I know there are a couple of other surgeries going on. I know it’s late and appreciate everyone’s concern. Leave it in God’s hands for tonight and check back here tomorrow morning.

10:45 pm – I just spoke with the main surgeon who has been on Suzanne’s team since the start. He believes he left a little more tongue in front than was discussed which is a good thing. Additionally, lymph nodes around her neck were removed and he felt like they may not have been as involved as previously thought. The previous radiation caused some problems with the reconstruction and connecting the ‘Flap’ to a blood supply which is why things went longer than expected. Suzanne is in intensive care where she will be for probably 2 nights. All in all, he felt the surgery went well and is hopeful for a successful outcome.

11:45 pm – They allowed me to visit Suzanne for a brief moment. Still getting all set up in her room, my heart broke to see her. She was awake, which I didn’t expect with tears in her eyes and a look of fright on her face. I’m sure it is scary to not be able to breathe, no air moving through your nose or mouth as her tracheotomy is doing all that work, not being able to communicate with those wanting to help, and pain management hasn’t really been implemented yet. A small but brief smile tried to cross her lips when she heard my voice. A quick kiss on her forehead and a few words of encouragement were all there was time for. I wiped the tears from her eyes and out the door I went.

Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
Romans 12:12