Dear Friends and Family,
So sorry for the long delay. I think until Shoop is feeling better, I will do my best to keep up with his blog. No bells, whistles or sports commentary, just the facts. Shoop is definitely the writer in the family but I'll do my best.
Mid week, after lots and lots of tests, we found out Shoop has GVHD of his Colon. This is what has been causing all of his pain (so they think). At one point he did have an intermittant obstruction in his colon which was related to his pain as well, however, no obstruction was found this time. They said that it cleared itself, which I didn't know could happen. The obstruction was caused from a narrowing in his colon which can also get better on it's own. Basically, all of this crap was caused by the GVHD which now they say never totally went away.
Shoop is finally feeling a little relief. While his pain isn't totally gone, it is under control or at least not like it was. Seeing someone you love in excruciating pain day after day is probably the most difficult thing I have ever had to go through.
In the last couple of months, he has also had a pigtail put into his stomach. This is a small catheter inserted into his belly to drain excess fluid as needed. About a liter a day is drained from his belly which does seem to give him some more relief. This he tells me makes him very tired as well. If one tube wasn't enough, he also had a Naso Gastric tube inserted into his nose, down the back of his throat into his abdomen. This fluid is intermittantly suctioned from his abdomen. This was just recently removed because the fluid coming out in Shoop's abdomen was decreasing plus he was starting to feel better.
So as of today, he is better than he has been in a long time. The Doctor told me he still has a long road ahead of him but he is showing signs of improvement.
Again, and I can't say this enough, I would be an emotional wreck if it wasn't for all of you wonderful people, not to mention mal nutritioned because I wouldn't be providing the best meals for my family. You guys have covered all of the bases for our family and more and continue to do so every day. I know none of us ever thought Shoop would still be in the hospital at this point in time, but we WILL get him home.
I hope this helps a little. I will write again as soon as we know more or if there are any significant changes. Thank you so much and we love you all.
Much Love,
Lynn and Shoop
