And he's out!

Thank you, thank you for all of the prayers for Alex! They were most definitely answered! Alex did wonderfully in surgery. He lost NO...that's right...NO small bowel! Dr. Geisler was able to remove a "good majority" of the mesh with no loss of the small intestine. He also removed several metal clips that were holding the mesh in place. Some of the left colon was removed (the part with the hole) and a loop ileostomy was placed where they bring a loop of small intestine to the skin. He did have two strictures in his small intestines; one was repaired (cut and re-sewed to make the area wider) and one is at the stoma site and will "take care of itself". They were able to use his own tissue as a replacement of the mesh (another answered prayer!) so the mesh did not need to be replaced. He does have 2 drains just under the skin because of this, but it will be worth not having to put something else foreign in to replace the mesh.


Carol and I just got back from the post acute care unit to see him and he looked great. He was sleepy and definitely utilizing his pain pump, but was able to talk to us a bit while we were there. If you read this sooner rather than later, please pray that we get into the M53 unit. Those rooms have single beds (no roommates!) and we already know some of the nursing staff from our January stay. Thank you again for all of your prayers...I know we've said it a million times, but we truly could not have gotten through this without all of your support and strength from such a loving and gracious God. Love to you all and we'll keep the updates coming.