Thrill Seekers

Man, it’s a good thing I like roller coasters. Renee and I used to have season tickets to Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson, NJ. Pre-Cassidy we would go out there on Saturday nights and see a concert at the arena and then ride Rolling Thunder, an old wooden coaster, three or four times in a row. We’d always sit in the back car. When you went over the rolling hills you’d come out of your seat. It was a great thrill. Rolling Thunder’s got nothing on this ride.

Two anniversaries to celebrate today, it is one year ago today that Renee was released from the hospital from her colon flare-up and today is also the three week anniversary of Renee’s colon removal surgery. She is quick to tell anyone that she would not wish this disease on her worst enemy.

Yesterday was tough. Renee said she feels like she’s going backwards. It is at these times I need to put my coach’s cap on and provide positive reinforcement. Especially with these little setbacks it is hard for her to see the progress she’s making. I’m doing my best to keep her spirits high but still it was another restless night filled with moaning and groaning. And then ….

It is not uncommon in our house to have the phone ring before 9:00AM and the caller ID showing a doctor’s office. It is uncommon for the doctor herself to be on the line. A day early on the CT scan results, no news is good news so this must mean …another trip to the hospital.

There is inflammation in the small intestine. There is an abscess in the fat pad over the bowel on the incision. The family doctor has conferred with the gastroenterologist, there does not appear to be any obstruction, but they are not taking any chances. Renee is being admitted to the hospital here in Louisville for a dose of intravenous antibiotics and to also have another scan, this time with the IV contrast. They couldn’t see the full picture with yesterday’s results and they don’t know why. They are also calling the surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic for consult.

The doctor said that there is a possibility that they may need to go in and take a look at the abscess and to see what is causing the inflammation. They have lined up a local surgeon whom they say we can trust is excellent. We are now in a holding pattern waiting to hear which hospital and what time to report.

Wheee!