The last couple weeks 2-11-23

Our second followup (1/26) to Westchester was a pretty one. The sun was shining and it fooled you to the blasting cold that was coming our way for today.

If you are squeamish, I would suggest you pass on reading the rest of this message.

Chemo has been pushed another week due to his incision not healing all the way. I knew I would be doing more these days but I didn't think I would be doing things like wound packing. Yes, I only though medical professionals would be in charge of something like that.

That exchange went something like this:

Colon Surgeon: Okay, Zach, I am going to check things out... queue the cotton swab. Okay, things aren't healed like I would prefer so we are doing to do some packing and then she brings out more supplies. Zach, these will need to get changed 2-3 times a day.

Me: So, is that something I do?
Colon Surgeon: Yes, let me get you some gloves and you can practice.

Me and my face: 😧 Que the fear - I was thinking, is this going to hurt him? What happens if I hurt him? What happens if I do it wrong? I have learned to recognize it, feel it and pray for the fear to leave and strength and peace to fill me.

It's a skill I never thought I would need. 2 minutes of practicing and I was given a bag of

56 / 138

supplies and off we went.
We will be back next week for another followup to see if chemo will start on the 13th.

We aren't feeling anxious, we are at peace, taking today as it comes. Thankful for the sunshine and a strong stomach. I guess all those years of watching medical shows paid off.

1/23-2/9

I had to pack his wounds/incision for a week to help the healing process, and by the end it was no big deal for me. I guess the more practice you get the more confident you feel.

We had some good days and some low days recently. This is a true roller coaster of emotions.

2/9

Back to MSK we went and saw a wound nurse who used some silver nitrate to help the wound heal. Apparently, wounds heel up first then over so his body went overboard with hyper granulation (overgrowth of tissue) which makes it difficult for skin to grow over and heal completely. He will need a couple more treatments of silver nitrate to help things along.

After much back and forth they approved him for chemo to start on Monday the 13th.

We feel that chemo is a small part of this journey. Our hope and faith are in our Lord, Jesus Christ and we want yours to be as well.

-Amber