Saturday, October 11, 2008

Surgery Very Probable Sunday Afternoon

Last night Dr. O'Brien (the colo-rectal surgeon) ordered a repositioning of the NG Tube to better extract bile from Shawndra's stomach, in preparation for surgery tomorrow (Sunday). I should preface that statement with there exists a small chance the situation could resolve itself by tomorrow, although there still seems to be a consensus that surgery is necessary even if that occurs.

Thank you, everyone, for commenting on that last post. I will read them to Shawndra after she awakens. Special thanks to Dustin for staying overnight with Shawndra last night. Ella and I got some much needed sleep. Shawndra's cousin, Amy, will be wed to Judd this afternoon, and Ella has the privilege of being the flower girl! Last night, during the rehearsal, Ella did a great job! She and Ian (Ella's cousin) were so cute together, holding hands. Angie has offered to sit with Shawndra so Ella and I can go to the wedding. I want to videotape Ella, so Mommy can see what a big girl she is. (I'll post the clip on the BLOG as well.)

Shawndra is pretty bummed out today. She's missing the wedding, missing Ella walk down the isle with Ian, missing her dream cruise vacation to Italy, Greece, Turkey (we were scheduled to leave this coming Tuesday) -- I'm just now mentioning this vacation because prior to this week's events, we didn't want to divulge our being out of town for two weeks, for obvious reasons. But you know what? Her health is number one. And there will be future Ella moments and future vacations. Honestly, we're lucky this culminated this week instead of next. I can imagine being in a foreign country, having to make surgical decisions. I told her this is just a little bump in the road. When I arrived to the hospital this morning, I just curled up with her in bed, let her cry tears on my cheek and told everything will work out... and I just know it will. Baby I love.

I'm handling everything pretty well. I must admit, over time there's a certain desensitization that occurs. Personally I let things build up, and then let it all out at once. When that will be, with respect to the latest setback, I don't know.

Thank you for your prayers. Photos, videos, and updates forthcoming.
- Doug

45 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I am thinking of you and praying that surgery will go well and you'll be home before you know it.

I am so sorry that you are going through this and missing the wedding and your cruise. But, thank God this happened before you left on vacation.

You have such a wonderfully supportive husband!

Thank you Doug for keeping all of us informed so we can pray for her. I am looking forward to seeing the wedding photos of your adorable Ella.

Nancy in NJ

Anonymous said...

Doug -
Thank you for being such a supportive, loving and caring husband to my sister. What would we do without you. I understand the desensitization factor and feel that is just our way of holding it together and "being strong" for Shawndra until we are ready to have our own breakdown or cry session. I'm the same way. Thank you for coming to the wedding, I'll save a dance for you and Ella!! The prayer chain has been informed and the warriors are standing by to pray tomorrow mid-day! You are very apppreciated and know that our family loves you dearly. Shawny, love you and know that Ella will perform beautifully! Video is coming!! Stay strong, your health is most important right now! Love ya, sissy!
Dre

Anonymous said...

I am praying for all of you....I am so sorry this is happening...Sue

Anonymous said...

Doug you are so right, Shawndras health is number one and she is SO fortunate to have had this happen this week. It is scary enough in a familiar place with your own docs, family and friends to lean on. What a blessing the lord bestowed on you by not letting this happen elsewhere. We'll keep you all in our prayers for a speedy recovery, and uplifted spirits. Doug, you take care of yourself too, try not to let those emotions build to levels that are ahrmful to your health. Rely on your family and friends to share your burdens.

Anonymous said...

Oh Shawndra,

My heart breaks for your sadness over missing the things you were looking so forward to this week. Doug is right, though...your health comes first, and you will get over this little setback and be stronger for it. And then, you can take that trip, and be there to see lots more of Ella's big-girl moments, because there will be plenty of them!!

I'll be praying for you that surgery goes well, and that you are recovered and home quickly. So many people are praying for you (and for you, too, Doug!) - remember that! You are in my prayers than you can possibly imagine!!

You'll be in my thoughts, and close to my heart, as always.

Michelle

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry to hear of the latest events. I will pray for you and your family to better health.


-STL thinking of you

Anonymous said...

This is the first time ever I have actually commented and I am not sure why. I have followed your blog since before Jennifer Ireland's death. Chris had led me here. I did not know them either, but a friend had led me to their site. ANYWAYS, not important...I just wanted you to know that for the last year (or I think much more) I have been actively checking your blog and praying for you as much as possible!! I have 3 kids and my youngest daughter is Ella's age. I just want you to know that you will be immensely in my thoughts and prayers tomorrow, Shawndra. I believe with all my heart you will beat this! I am so sorry you are missing some important things this week, but like the others said, your health is first and foremost. Hopefully you will be able to take this trip a little more down the road and enjoy it even more! Much, much love to you and your family. I will be praying hard for you.

Christy in Tampa, FL

Anonymous said...

Doug,

I'm glad you were able to spend time with Ella last night, but am also glad you were able to make it back to the hospital this morning. I know that no one can comfort her the way you can.
I wish there was more I could do. PLEASE let me know if there is anything I can do over the coming days and weeks to help with Shawndra or Ella. I'm always happy to spend the night with either one of your lovely ladies! :)
I hope you and Ella had a great time at the wedding - the video is a great idea! I know Shawndra will love it.
All of you are always in my thoughts and prayers.

Love, Dustin

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I am so sorry to hear that you will likely be having surgery tomorrow. I am also sorry that you had to miss the wedding and your upcoming vacation. I know you were looking forward to both occasions. You will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers daily, and I will be checking your blog for updates.

Jennifer Teegarden MD

Anonymous said...

Doug & Shawndra,

We're praying for you and the family.

Love,
Bobby & Julie Dean

Laurie said...

prayers for all of you...i agree that it is best that this happened here in the states with shawndra's docs instead of overseas. you are an amazing husband/father doug. shawndra and ella are lucky to have you in their lives.
laurie

Rose said...

Shawndra: I will pray for your strength and healing. I am so sorry that you have to miss seeing Ella at the wedding and also the trip that was planned.
Rose in Canada

BKNRC said...

Oh Shawndra, I am praying that everything goes well today!

Anonymous said...

Thinking & praying 4 u in J.C. Mo. Thank you 4 the update, though I hated to hear how disappointed she is. Yes, its a good thing this happened while still home, it BLOWS that it had to happen at all.
I wish I had something more poetic or full of substance to say but sometimes the only thing that really sounds right is, " That sucks & Im sorry !" Just know that you are being thought of & prayed for! Vickie Kruse

Anonymous said...

Shawndra and Family-

Our thoughts and prayers will be with you today as Shawndra is having surgery. God Bless you all! Keep Believing!!!

The Mudge Family

Anonymous said...

Doug,
Thanks for the post. We'll be praying for your family. May He bring peace to all of you during this stressful time.
Mike's been in the hospital a bit this week too. ER keeps ruling out an obstruction, but it sure acts like one.

Jen T
Omaha,Ne

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I am praying for you!

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, I hope the surgery goes well and you are out of the hospital in no time.
I am praying for you.
Love, Julie

Cathy said...

Shawndra and Doug,

Altho I haven't posted in awhile, I am a faithful reader of your BLOG.

I am praying the surgery went well and u will be back on your feet soon.


Stay strong,

Cathy in AR
Psalms 46:1

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I am also thinking of you and praying everything goes well. I am terribly sorry the cruise is postponed. I look forward to seeing you on your Tues appts. and hope you make it in soon. Hang in there Shawndra, you have a great support system so feel free to lean on it!

Hope to see you soon.

Amy (your personal fingersticker!)

Anonymous said...

Praying for a peaceful night.

Love to you all.

Brandi

Michele said...

Thank you Doug for updating us. Shawndra, we all love you and are praying for you. I am so sorry you missed the wedding and the vacation.
Keep fighting.
Love,
Michele

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,
I keep picturing you when we lived in Kansas City... Liz, Luke, and I were in your living room. Cher's song "Strong Enough" just came out and you were playing it. As it was on, you said how it made you feel strong and you would flex your muscles like in a muscle man pose. I am picturing this now because you ARE strong, and even with all these disappointments and setbacks, you will get through this and be all the stronger for it. I am praying for you and your family. Doug, thanks for taking such good care of my friend!
Love,
Hillary

Patty's said...

Josh and I are praying really hard for all of you. Dre called after surgery and I just want to wrap my arms around all of you. Continued prayer for strength, health, wisdom, and continued trust in the Lord.
Love to you all
Beth Patterson

Anonymous said...

Hello Doug and Shawndra,

There many, many prayers and good thoughts being sent your way from all corners of the world. What a blessing that you have one another to hold onto; I am getting married next year and will aspire to a marriage like yours.

Shawndra: It sucks that you've had to postpone your trip to the Mediterranean, and that you're not able to do all the things you should be doing. You are allowed to be angry and sad and frustrated. I hope you can feel the prayers, love and support that surround you during these dark and difficult times.

Thinking of, and praying for, you all.

jg in california

Anonymous said...

Shawndra - You are in my thoughts and prayers.

jh

Anonymous said...

Faithful Bloggers:

Please call upon the Lord to grant the Turner Family peace, love and support. Send out prayer request to everyone you know...co-workers, church family, friends, neighbors...e-mail them with Shawndra's blogsite to post words of encouragement and support.

The Turner family needs us all now more than ever.

The Prayer Warriors need to be out in full force ASAP.

Peace to all and thank you from a close friend of the Turner's for embracing them, loving them and supporting them.

Melony said...

Shawndra,

I am praying that your surgery went well and that you will have a speedy recovery. God's timing is perfect. I can't imagine the increase in worries if this had happened in a different country.

Melony, TN

Auntie D said...

Lifting you and your family up in prayer right now. Praying for comfort and strength for you all.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra - I'm sending prayers and hugs from Minnesota. Love you! - Dawner

Anonymous said...

Shawndra & Doug & Beauchamps,

I know you need time alone right now. I hope that Shawndra's pain is being well-managed and that she is able to rest.
As always, I am here to help out in any way I can. Please lean on me - that is what friends are for.
Thinking of you and praying for you around the clock...

Love, Dustin

Anonymous said...

hope all went well yesterday. praying for some answers for you guys, and for healing for shawndra.

stassen

Anonymous said...

PRAYERS, PRAYERS AND MORE PRAYERS COMING YOUR WAY ON THIS MONDAY AM...NOT SURE IF THE SURGERY TOOK PLACE AT THIS POINT, BUT KNOWING YOUR DOCS DID THE VERY BEST THEY COULD FOR YOU....THERE IS PLENTY OF TIME FOR ELLA'S SPECIAL MOMENTS AND YOUR CRUISE....U MUST BE HEALTHY TO HAVE ANY OF THIS SWEET GIRL....WITH CHRISTIAN FRIENDSHIP, YOUR ANGEL OF PRAYER IN KC,MO JEN MILLER :)

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I heard that "I love you, always forever..." song this morning on the radio and had to smile thinking of you. I take it as a good sign! You have many more songs to sing and many more moments with Ella and Doug to share. We will keep praying for you and just know that you are in the best hands. I am sending you the tightest hug I can give. :) Stay strong!! And Doug, thank you for being such a wonderful husband, friend and comfort to Shawndra!

Liz

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear you are in the hospital and not feeling well. I hope all went well with your surgery. I am praying for a fast recovery and for your health. Please know that many, many, people are thinking of you and praying for you and your family. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and am amazed by your grace and strength.
God Bless,
Melody Rusk

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

You are in my thoughts and prayers! Sending lots of hugs your way! love ya

Mary

Anonymous said...

Shawndra, Doug and Family,
You are all in our thoughts and prayers as you struggle through this difficul time. We wish you peace and comfort in the days ahead. Shawndra, get to feeling better so that you can come home. Doug, you are a wonderful, supportive husband. You and Shawndra are lucky to have each other to lean on.
Love,
The Wallace's

Anonymous said...

Just a note to let you know I am praying for you. Kim T

Anonymous said...

Shawndra and Doug - I think about you guys so often when I'm driving or walking by your house. Even though we are just houses away I feel so out of touch in that I haven't been there to help you out in anyway. What I can offer and will continue to do is to keep you in my prayers -The power of prayer and love of your family and friends will get you thru this.

Kristin Stoneman

Lisa said...

Praying your surgery went well and you are recovering nicely this morning...hopefully with a PCA pump! :-) It was God's intervention you were not on that cruise in a strange place having to deal with all of this for sure!

Amberchlopaz said...

Dear Shawndra,
I wish I could meet you. I did meet one person I'd known from her blog and it was delightful. You are another person I would so like to meet. You have such a wonderful spirit. The things that can happen in this life seem so very unfair, and in fact, they are unfair, and we are so powerless in the face of them. Thank God for love, and that you seem to have plenty of. May it be a comfort and a source of healing for you. If it is possible to love someone one has not met, then count me in. Love, Joyce

Jill B (MAC) said...

Shawndra, Doug & Beauchamps, Lots of love and prayers are coming your way. Stay strong.

Anonymous said...

Shawndra,

I've been struggling with wanting to leave a comment and not knowing what to say the past few days. I'm so sad for you and Doug not to be able to go on your trip but also so amazed at God for having this happen now and not in a foreign country. I wanted you to know that I've been praying for you all weekend. I have friends at my church praying as well. You're always a ray of light and I know you'll recover from this quickly, its just never easy while its happening.

Its naptime and Ella and the others are fast asleep. We had a great morning at story time and playing at daycare.

Please let me know if there is anything at all I can do. I think the hardest part when anyone is sick is that we all feel so helpless. I wish I was a doctor, or better yet a superhero so I could fix ya right up! :) In all seriousness though, don't hesitate to call on me for anything...

My prayers and "happy" thoughts are with you.

Kellista

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry you had to have another surgery. I'm hoping and praying the surgery was successful and that your pain is well-managed. You are so honest and inspiring in your blog. I've learned a lot from you and wish you only the best.

Btw... I can't remember how I found your blog but I've been silently reading it for awhile now.

Take care... Sharon

Anonymous said...

I will continue to pray for your speedy recovery and for your family.
Love,
Kelly Hazlehurst Phillips