Two days ago, my Dad went for a follow-up on a colonoscopy he had undergone two weeks earlier. The doctor had seen something not to his liking.
On Wednesday, it was discovered that his colon was perforated. That necessitated emergency surgery.
During the operation, it was also found that he had a hernia, a tumor that proved to be cancerous, and two aneurysms.
Both the hernia and colon were successfully addressed. The pathology report came back yesterday and indicated that the entire tumor was removed and Dad won't have to undergo either chemotherapy or radiation treatment. A vascular specialist said that the aneurysms will be monitored and addressed at the appropriate time. Knowing of several people who have undergone successful surgery for aortic aneurysms lately, I feel comfortable with that and obviously, given all that hit my Dad in one day, my family and I are relieved.
The surgeon told us that Dad was doing well enough immediately following surgery that he could skip the surgical ICU and go straight to intermediate care. Doctors and nurses marvel at his resilience at nearly age 80.
But he's had some rough days. You can imagine the pain he's in after such massive invasive surgery. I'm also a little concerned about his breathing, but I'm happy that a doctor has ordered albuterol treatments.
My father is an incredibly sweet guy and funny. On Wednesday afternoon, as I was leaving the hospital, I had a prayer with Dad and the family members who were in the room and gave him a kiss. "I'll be back tomorrow, Dad," I said. "You don't have to come back, Bub," he told me, paused, and finished, "But you'd better."
Please keep my Dad in your prayers. Thanks.
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