I had a flash-back from Sweden this afternoon.
Preparing the cod i had caught, for the table, involved removing the inner parts which otherwise start decomposing quickly. The part that was most difficult to cut through, interestingly, was the cod's oesophagus... i remember pondering the significance of this at the time.
Now i was sitting in a clinic with the consultant, who was explaining the procedure of removing the tumor at my stomach/oesophagus junction. Even the description is not for the squeamish.
The operation will last 4-6 hours, dependant on any complications. 5 surgeons will be involved. 3 at the start, 1 as an overlap in the middle and 2 in the closing stages. The procedure will be in 3 parts.
First, they will lay me on my left side, deflate 1 lung and making 3 or 4 mini incisions between my ribs, insert a camera and instruments to prepare the oesophagus and remove many of the lymph nodes surrounding the tumor. This is keyhole surgery.
Second, they will lie me on my back, and with 4 or 5 more mini-incisions, will remove the "moorings" attaching my stomach to the abdominal cavity. Then, making a bigger cut in my neck, they will cut through my oesophagus (near the top) and then in true fish-gutting style will pull my stomach and oesophagus into the open air through one of the abdominal incisions.
This is unbelievable stuff isn't it? I'm still absorbing it..
Thirdly, they will cut away the tumor and surrounding parts of my stomach and oesophagus, stitch my "new" stomach together as a tube and pass it back through the incision and connect what remains of the oesophagus again, through the neck incision.
My stomach will now be a tube in my chest and there'll be a host of things to become accustomed to. I might touch on these in later posts. Then there's the waking up afterwards... i'll look like a freak show with all the tubes (there will be MANY) attached to me.
The wonders of medical intervention eh?
I'm part-detached and part-bricking it. Would value prayers in the run-up.
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Don't know what to say Pete. We are thinking of you (and C M and L) and hope to see you soon.
ReplyDeleteI feel like part of me is still fishing with you on the end of that decking. We've definitely got some unfinished business there...
Hey Pete,
ReplyDeleteYour holiday destination looked fantastic... 58°14'40.87"N, 11°29'52.48"E looks like some interesting territory. I have to be honest with you, 'Pete's Sketch' lacks some detail.
Amazing thought surrounds you.
You're in good hands.
All our love, Hornibrooks xxx
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which trancends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
ReplyDeleteFinally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.
- Philippians 4:6-8
Dear Pete
ReplyDeleteWe have been so inspired by your courage and honesty - We read some of your blog late last night for the first time and were VERY keen and eager to read the rest this morning, to catch us up with your life over the last weeks. What an amazing testimony of God's care and love in such circumstances. It's been eye-opening and incredibly touching for us to be able to read your blog. Praise God for giving you the courage and great humour to share the events of the last few months so publicly. You have all been in our prayers and we will now add Darren. With much love to you and your family, from Clare and Hugh Harper (Porter as was!)