Voyage 2006-2007: Chapter 3

07 Jan 2007, Missing the Grandkids at Homeport, 34 02.512 N/ 077 53.520 W

We are back in Wilmington. However, our stay is short lived. Later this week we go to Northern Virginia for Ann's pre-op stuff. Then again on the 17th we are back for her operation. We will be at our Vienna home for at least two weeks while she recovers. Let us all pray for her speedy and permanent recovery!

27 Jan 2007, She's Back!, 38 55.459 N/ 077 15.899 W

Last week Ann went into the hospital to have her "little visitor" removed at Fairfax Inova Hospital. The operation was complete at 1700 on 17 January and the 'little visitor' was not too little. She ended up with only 30% of her pancreas and no spleen. The doctor expected a full recovery but cautioned that the pancreas may not work as well as it should. Recovery could take 4-6 weeks

Everything was going fine until Friday. Then Ann came down with a fever, then here oxygen started to drop, then she had trouble breathing, then they gave her an oxygen mask. Fortunately, the caught it in time. With prompt treatment, the right medicine, and around the clock monitoring, she bounced back on Sunday. Still there was lots of pain, the oxygen was not perfect, but her pancreas was now working. Not bad.

Today, she has been home for three days. Everyday is a little better event though the pain is still with her. Surprise! She is doing her breathing exercises, checking her blood sugar and a myriad of other tasks. We are very fortunate of the outcome and are thankful for all of the prayers offered in her name (you know who you are). Full recovery is four or five weeks away but life is good!