Port Day

Chapter 7 - The End of Hell Week

Friday, January 18, 2019

Today is the day Scott gets a port in his chest. This is where the nurses can do blood draws and infuse the chemo directly into his veins. Since Scott hates needles, this is a blessing, so he doesn't have to get poked every time. The doctor says he'll need this port in his chest the rest of his life. Yah, right! We'll show them.

We get to the hospital early, hoping to get the liver biopsy done today also. Originally it was scheduled for next Tuesday, but the nurse called Scott last night saying they could probably do both that day. No need to prolong the inevitable. After the check in process, the doctor comes in and says that he can do both that day. Hallelujah!

As we wait for the surgery to begin, we see a familiar face. One of the men who came to give Scott a blessing on Sunday works as a radiology tech and he just happens to be working today at this hospital. Coincidence, I think not! He comes in and talks to us and offers words of comfort, as well as a big hug for Scott. I know that helps Scott calm down. Thank you, Heavenly Father, for placing yet another angel in the path of this journey.

He finally gets wheeled back for surgery. I take this time to answer some texts and call my sister. She has wanted an update, but I haven't had the chance to call her. As soon as she answers, the tears gush again. I'm so used to crying at the drop of a hat now; it's my new normal. She allows me the time to vent and cry and explain everything. Then she shares some sacred insight and guidance that I will be forever grateful for. How I love her and her fighting spirit, her positive attitude and her ability to pull me up when I am down.

Scott gets back from the surgery; everything went well. They're going to let him rest for at least an hour before the liver biopsy. I move my chair closer to his bed and we hold hands as we both talk and rest. After more than an hour, they bring him back for the biopsy. I go grab some lunch, and get him some too. This has been another fasting day for him to prep for surgery, and he is famished. He's back about ten minutes after I get back and he enjoys his lunch and we are ready to go. Before we leave, he gets up to use the bathroom and when he passes the room next to his, he sees a friend from the scouting program that our boys participate in. This friend has been a leader at their scout camp and my boys really look up to him. They visit for a few minutes. I can hear them talking and am trying to place the voice. I peek my head in and realize who it is. He shares his story about how he had kidney cancer and had to undergo chemotherapy for a while. Before we leave, he gives Scott a big hug and pulls me aside while Scott is in the bathroom and offers to "come sit with him on the hard days, because I've been through it and know how hard it is." I thank him and tell him I will call him when we need him. Another tender mercy from up above. We go home to begin our weekend with the kids.