Monday, October 13, 2008

Shawndra is out of ICU

Hello all-
This is Andrea, Shawndra's sister, posting an update. Shawndra's surgery happened on Sunday afternoon. The surgeon said that there were some adhesions in Shawndra's small intestine however, this was not the main reason for her problems. The surgeon said that the obstruction in her small intestine was from cancer in the pelvis, it was occluding the last section of the intestine that goes into the colon. Therefore, Shawndra received an ileostomy. This is something that Shawndra did not want/did not expect to at all. Dr O'Brien, the surgeon, said that she did find more cancer throughout the small intestines. Shawndra was put in ICU overnight and was moved to the floor this afternoon, Monday.
She is doing fairly well. I judge this by the rude comments - ha just kidding, by her ability to joke around with us and talk with everyone. My mom and I washed her hair this evening and I gave her a mini-makeover - really just makeup!! She looks good! Just pain in the abdomen where she's had surgery. The nurse said she transfered from the ICU bed to her bed in her room really well and had good strength.
The oncologist has some encouraging news about options for chemo, meds, etc after this surgery. Shawndra will also be returning to Dr. Foster in Omaha once she is recovered from this surgery to discuss further options/possibilities.
So, let me lay out some prayer requests:
1. Pray for Shawndra's bowels to regain function - and quickly!
2. Pray that her small intestine will absorb well and she will get enough nutrition with her ileostomy.
3. Pray for new methods of chemo and alternatives that come forward to be beneficial.
4. Pray for Doug for strength, endurance, love, and faith.
5. Pray for the Turner and Beauchamp families.

I call upon all Prayer Warriors, take heed, this is the time to pray! I praise God for all the wonderful people who keep up with Shawndra, pray for her, support our family, and help in so many ways. Thank you God for Shawndra's prayer/supportive community. We feel covered by your love and compassion.
We will keep you updated as we know more. Thanks for continuing to check the blog!

With great appreciation and love,
Andrea

43 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shawndra and Doug,
Oh how my heart goes out to you. I will be praying, praying, praying.
Love and prayers, Julie

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, Doug and Ella....

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

The Ellis'

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I just want to let you know that you and your family are in my daily thoughts and prayers. I am glad that you are out of the ICU and hopefully getting some much needed rest. I will be checking in on your blog for more updates and hopefully will be reading that you get to go home soon. Keep the faith!

Jennifer Teegarden

Anonymous said...

Shawndra and Doug,

You, and your family, are in my prayers and constant thoughts. Wishing you strength and healing during this time. Know how much you are loved and supported.

Michelle

Unknown said...

Shawndra, you have been in my prayers regularly since I started reading your blog a year and a half ago. I will continue to pray and pray for you and your entire family. May God bless you and hold you in his loving arms. Leisa

Anonymous said...

Oh, Shawndra I am praying very hard that you recover fast! I pray your new treatment will heal you. I pray for your family as well. Sue
suew1234@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Shawndra and Doug: We hope you can feel the prayers and love that are being sent your way! We hope you can feel our support now that you need it most.

Andrea: you are a wonderful sister. I have two sisters and there is nothing like the bond we share. You are one of Shawndra's anchors, too, and I keep you, your parents and all of Shawndra and Doug's families in my prayers.

As always, the Taylor and Beauchamp families have provided a lesson in humility, courage, love and faith for us all.

jg in california

Anonymous said...

Dear Shawndra,

I am praying for strength, hope and healing for you and your family. May God bless you.

Kim

Astraea said...

Praying for God's Will and healing!!! You are loved in so many places. God bless.
-Astraea

Melony said...

Praying for a quick recovery and that God will reveal the best treatment plan to the doctors that will be caring for you.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, Doug & Ella:

Whenever I drive by your house I say a little prayer for your family. Shawndra, you are an inspiration to many people. Keep up the brave fight.

I'm sending positive thoughts your way and many prayers up above.

-Denise Williams

Anonymous said...

The first song I heard on the radio this morning was "Don't Stop Believing" by Journey.
I wont stop believing in the Lord and in you Shawndra. You are strong and so full of courage.
Lean on the Lord to take away your fears and worry. Lean on your family to provide comfort and protection. Lean on your friends to offer support and provide assistance. Lean on Doug,as I know you have, to offer unconditional love, strength, support, perspective and guidance.
We are all here for you, my dear Shawndra. Allow us to help not only carry you, but Doug as well, during this time of uncertainty.

With much love, prayers and hugs and butteryfly kisses.:)

The Palmer Family

Anonymous said...

Andrea, what a great sister you are to Shawndra. I am sure that the shampooing and makeup helped in making her day a little brighter, as well as just being there for her. And I can only imagine the firey nature to some of her comments.....it's the Beauchamp in her.
Doug, hang in there. I know that this is alot to absorb. May you have strength and peace while supporting Shawndra.
Gary & Carolyn, such great friends all these years. Know that all the support and love you have given us over the years during our low times, is being sent back in your direction.
You are all in our prayers.

nancygrayce said...

Praying for a quick surgery recovery and healing!

Anonymous said...

We are thinking of you and praying for you and all of your family, Shawndra.

The McRaes

Anonymous said...

So happy to hear the ICU was a only a brief lay-over on the road to recovery! Wise cracks are a great sign and it was so kind of you and your mom to wash her hair and do her makeup...I'm sure she felt much better afterwards.
I hold Shawndra and your entire family in my heart all day, every day.

I love you all,
Dustin

JulesSpirit said...

Praying for each of you during this time. My thoughts and prayers for your families daily.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra ~ So many prayers are being sent your way. May God bless you in your time of need. I pray for Doug, Ella your sister and your families that God will watch over them as well.

jh

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Andrea, for the update. All of you are in my prayers.

Lisa said...

So glad to hear your ICU stay was a brief one and you got a little pampering today as well. I hope your hospital stay is quick. Up in the chair and do your IS ...will help get things moving :-) My prayers are with you!

Anonymous said...

We send you greetings of love and wishes of comfort. May you find comfort in each others arms as you wage this most valiant battle. You are in our thoughts and in our prayers, this day and always. The Ellingtons

Tami said...

Shawndra, Doug, Ella and family. We had our surgeries about the same time and I watch your blog constantly. You have always given me strength from your strength and you and your family continues to be in my prayers. This disease just isn't fair. I pray for healing for you Shawndra. Doug, you are a amazing man, just like my husband. I pray for strength for you Doug. I was so hoping that surgery wouldn't be needed and somehow you both would still be able to take your trip. As I said before this disease just isn't fair. Both my husband and myself will keep you in our prayers. Your strength has and continues to touch so many lives, I know you have touched my life.
Tami

Anonymous said...

Dear friends

It's been such a hard journey.
When you think you'll be over it, going on vacation, it hit you again.
You're being so strong, and facing this as an example to many of us.
Doug, your love for Shwandra is God's blessing to this cute girl, it keeps her going, it keeps her fighting and you'll win the battle.
Keep your faith up high. We're all praying for you.
Much Love,

Roswita and the Brazilian family

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, Doug and Family -
Sending many prayers your way as always and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Terra Shover

Anonymous said...

We were bummed to hear about your impending surgery when we went to the wedding on Saturday, and glad that you are through it. You were definitely in the thoughts of everyone on Saturday- you have a great extended family and I hope you are encouraged by their love. We will be praying for you and your family - for peace, for healing, and for His love to be evident in your lives everyday.

Mark and Julie Clobes

Anonymous said...

Warm thoughts and many prayers for a speedy recovery.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

The news took my breath away, and I wondered how you can deal with yet more tough news, but I trust that God will provide you with what you need.

You have strengthed my own faith because I know that God is guiding you through all of these trials. He must be so proud of you.

Julie

Team Piggott said...

You are always in our prayers. We love you and hope to be with you all again soon hanging out and shooting the breeze. God has special plans for you and I just know it includes you being around for many more years to come.
Doug, stay strong as you have been and know you can call us for anything.
We love you!
The Piggott's

Unknown said...

Shawndra,

I have been quietly following your blog from St. Louis for a long time. Jennifer Ireland was an extended member of my husband's family and I found you through the foundation. We are praying for you, Doug and Ella! Stay strong and keep fighting!

Karen P

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the update, I am such a new follower of Shawndras but like I have said, she is in my thoughts & prayers many times a day. I have read her blog like a book I can't put down. She inspires me & I am touched by her thoughts & words. Please tell her she is a ROCKSTAR & she has a huge fan here in Jefferson City.
The news sounds very encouraging & I am so happy that there are more plans of action that are going to be aggressively persued to get this cancer away from her, once & for all!! Please tell her we can't wait to hear from her! - Thank you for the updates, we are always ready for them, I know I am!! God Bless, Vickie Kruse

Anonymous said...

I, too, am thinking of you and praying for you like I've never prayed before. I have read your blog for months and it has made a huge impact on me. I met you when you were a patient at Creighton earlier in the year; I was a new nurse at the time. I thought how beautiful you were and how calm you were, you seemed to have a wonderful inner peace. You are so fortunate to have such a loving and supportive family. You will get through this hurdle; you have been through so much and your strength, faith, and family will help. Just know that I, like so many others, are thinking and praying for you constantly.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, Doug and families...

I will being praying for you, and are always thinking of you. I hope that your recovery is quick and that you are home soon.

My best, Amanda Hamlin Featherston

Anonymous said...

I am praying for all the above. Say hello to Shawndra for me. Sue

cancersucksbigtime.com

Anonymous said...

Praise God that you're doing better already and are out of ICU!

We are still praying for you, knocking on God's door. We say our prayers every day at lunch and its usually generic but today Keaton added "and help Auntie Shawndra heal up, Amen." God can't ignore a sweet prayer like that!

Keep up your amazing spirit and He'll do the rest. Miss seeing your cheery face every day!

I'll leave you with a verse: Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra and Family-

Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family!!! Keep Believing!

The Mudge Family

Anonymous said...

This is Dori, Shawndra's "signet cell email buddy."

She and I haven't emailed in a while, but I continue to think about Shawndra and I hope and pray for the best for her and her family and friends.

Dori

Anonymous said...

Praying for the Beauchamp & Turner families today and every day. There are armies of people behind you.

jg in ca

Anonymous said...

You are in my prayers and will continue to be! You are a fighter and will beat this. GOD IS BIGGER TAHN CANCER. Although the surgery was unexpected to you, it was not a surprise to God and He is with you.
PLEASE keep up updated, as I check back and thing of you/pray for you often.

Anonymous said...

(sorry about the typos, I really do know how to spell!)

Laurie B. said...

Praying for you!

Anonymous said...

"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me......."

Praying for you and Doug.

KF

Anonymous said...

My thoughts and prayers are with you, Doug and Ella!
Love and prayers,
Kevin

Robin said...

Thoughts and prayers for Shawndra.