June 3rd
Last night the Interventional Radiologist team was able to go through a vessel in Scott’s leg and up through the shunt – an option they had not had prior to his surgery. They found and broke up a clot that had formed in his shunt. They also added coils to some of the vessels that may be leading to his esophagus, and they added a stent – a piece that will hold the opening of his shunt open wide from side to side, to avoid future clotting and potential blood back up.
By morning, the doctors decided to decrease the Minnesota tube, leaving it in just in case they would need it. There was a possibility that the Minnesota tube was creating a squeeze against the shunt, creating back up. Tho’ the Minnesota tube was saving his life by stopping the bleeding, it was also one of the causes of bleeding. Vicious cycle. With the clots removed and the coiling done, the doctors were hopeful that the Minnesota tube would no longer be necessary.
A morning ultrasound showed the shunt to be open and working well.
…Now it’s just a waiting game to see that the shunt works, there’s no clotting, no more bleeding, etc.
Dr. Orloff looked Summer in the eyes and said she’s not giving up. If what they’re trying doesn’t work, the stomach surgery (removing his stomach) is an option.
Summer is understandably exhausted physically, emotionally, mentally, etc; please keep praying for her too. – Pastor Scott, 10am
At 12:15pm “I got a call from the GI doc and Scott did start bleeding a bit ago, but it was slow, and his vitals were strong (this is great – and is not common to the other bleeds), so they inflated the balloon, and will do another scope in a few hours to hopefully clean out some of the gunk in his stomach, and – Lord willing – find the trouble spot and glue it.
“Surprisingly, I’m feeling encouraged by this bleed, because it isn’t as dramatic as ANY of the others, and because it is leading us to the next step without too much chaos.”
At 4:15pm, my Dad, Mark, brought the kids to see us at the hospital. It was the first time I’ve seen them since we got here other than the short visit home the other night. I’ve missed them so unbelievably much.
My Dad had been keeping the children actively making memories: walks and fishing, fixing things, etc… Our church and friends were bringing daily dinners. I genuinely did not have to worry about them. They were being well taken care of, and, most importantly, loved completely.
Later in the evening, close to 6:30pm, the doctors did an endoscopy, hoping to get a better view of what was going on. I posted:
Good news! Scott’s endoscopy went well!
- The bleeding from earlier seems to have been residual – there was *no sign of active bleeding*, so they’re assuming he hasn’t since the procedure last night!
- They cleared out his stomach of all of the old clotted blood. This has been a real problem, and is the first time they’ve been able to – giving them a clear view of what’s going on in his stomach. This is awesome news!
- They feel confident enough that he won’t bleed again that they took out the balloon I am not sure I’m comfortable with this, but it’s bogus they’re okay with it. In a good way.
- They found some ulcers (expected, because of meds), and nipped one so that it wouldn’t be a problem. This may have been a significant cause of previous bleeding.
- He has a really high fever right now. They’ve given him Tylenol and a cooling blanket. They think it may because he aspirated some blood yesterday. They are watching it.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isaiah 41:10
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them,
With men this is impossible;
but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
The last update I posted for the day, at 11:40pm:
After the last procedure, Scott’s stats were a little sketchy, and he is having a harder time recovering as quickly as he has before, but things are starting to even out this late evening.
His fever is still high. They are working to manage it.
Still no bleeding. That’s a good thing.
I’m nervous to be excited, and he’s definitely not as stable as he’s been coming out of other procedures, but I have hope!
The parts I didn’t share were that Scott’s fever was so high that he was shaky and was having tremors. It was horrifying. His saturation level dipped with every movement. It was so hard to watch him sleeping so uncomfortably. I prayed over and over that he would have no memories of these times.
A little later, around midnight:
Yesterday evening our Pastor Scott and Elder Jim came and prayed over Scott in the ICU. Our Pastor Doug did earlier in the afternoon. I’m so thankful that they could be there, praying over him for healing, and encouraging him even in his sleepy fog.
The same evening, our church family met together to pray in Woodland. Several met at the hospital to pray around us.
As intense as the last week has been with horrific struggles and challenges I wouldn’t wish on anyone, it has been just as intense with blessings and amazingness. God is good. All the time.
I’m nervously excited, praying for good news to be a trend. Hopeful that Scott’s body will heal and that he will not be discouraged. I’m confident the doctors are doing the best they can, and are capable of amazing things (as they’ve already proven!).
I’m thankful that I know the God who created the world. And that we rest in His arms through trials and joys. That I know He has a plan, and it’s so much bigger than ours. In that I keep comforted, even when I fall apart and am scared beyond belief.
Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
– Isaiah 40:28-31
Preserving the Harvest 
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