It's the next morning and I'm sitting with Shawndra in the ICU. She arrived to the unit last night around 9PM. Fortunately, she was able to speak with us about the surgery. I couldn't wait to tell her the good news. The smile she gave, when I told her the "bad, caked-up omentum was gone forever", is one I'll never forget. As a matter of fact, she smiled a lot last night. And that brought joy to my heart.
There were many encouraging me to get some sleep, so at around 10:30PM, I reluctantly left the hospital, and left Shawndra in the hands of the ICU team. Surprisingly, I slept well at the extended stay hotel. I'm refreshed. I feel strong, and am mentally prepared to aid Shawndra in her recovery.
As you can imagine, she's experiencing a lot of pain. It's strange to see her sleeping soundly, yet almost subconsciously pressing the pain pump button. Dr. Foster will be rounding later today.
My little "punks" will be arriving tonight. I'm anxious to see her and hear her yell "daddy!". I plan to take her to McDonalds to play in the tubes. She loves that. Daddy likes to play too. Onc benefit to being only 5' 5" is, I can squeeze in those tubes too, slide down the slides, and play with her like I'm a kid. She likes to say "daddy, this way"... Maybe Greg will join me in some adventure climbing and sliding with his kids, Keaton and Avery.
** It's now 10:45. Dr. Foster, and his students, came to check on Shawndra. Dr. Foster says he'll keep her in the ICU over the weekend. He also ordered higher doses of pain meds. He also mentioned that he wants her to sit up in a chair sometime this afternoon.
Carolyn, Shawndra's mother, made a comment a few minutes ago about how last night, Shawndra could have asked a 100 questions, and the one she asked was "how is Papa". Last night, I tried to skirt the question, but she knew I what I was doing, and asked again. Yes, I told her about the uncanny timing of his passing and the decision to continue the operation. That Papa was holding her hand.
Oh, how I love you baby. You're so brave.
- Doug
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30 comments:
I pray the healing come quickly and smoothly. Enjoy Ella! I'm sure she will bring joy to her Mommy's face also.
God Bless,
Astraea
Wow~ i am so happy she is doing so well already in her recovery = ) To know she was smiling last night makes me SMILE as she went through so much and comes out smiling...like I said sometimes you have to belive there are angels among us, and Shawndra is one of them!
I am sure Ella will be the best medicine for her to see her little girl today!
(((hugs)) to you all, God Bless you and prayer for a fast recovery, thanks for keeping us posted.
And tell her how proud and happy we are for her and give her a ((hug)) from all of us who are following her progress from afar, I hope this cancer now goes into remission.
Love to you all...and GOD BLESS!
god bless you and prayers for a full and quick recovery!
Thank you so much for updating us!!!! I have not been able to think about anything but all of you! I even had dreams about this all night.
I have tears of joy!
We love you all,
Jan
Doug - and Shawndra -
We are so excited to be coming up tonight to embrace you with the love not only from us but from the masses that feel the need to give you all a huge big hug!! Ella is looking forward to seeing her "daddy", she's been a very good girl and has had a lot of fun with our 2 kids!! I'm just thrilled to hold Shawndra's hand and brush her hair with my fingers, letting her know that God answered all of our/but most especially her prayer!! Can't wait to see you tonight - mom and dad too. Lots of positive thoughts headed your way!
Dre
Ella is so blessed to have such wonderful, strong and courageous parents! I am so glad things are going well and pray for a speedy recovery for Shawndra. I have no doubt she'll be in that chair as soon as she can, she seems like the kind of gal to want to move things along so she can get back to her wonderful life and family. Have a great time with your baby girl - I am sure she can hardly wait to see mom and dad. It is so fortunate that she is young. These things are so hard on kids and thankfully she is still young enough that she can't truly understand the situation...she can stay her sweet, young self and that's a blessing in its self. Boy will the two of you have stories to tell her when she gets older..what a lesson of love and endurance and courage she will learn. You are all in prayers as always!
Feel better soon Shawndra!
Deb
Shawndra and Family-
You are truly amazing person. The strength and courage you have has inspired us all! God Bless you all! I believe Papa was your Angel holding your hand during surgery. Enjoy little Ella! Our thoughts and prayers are with you all! Keep Believing!!!
Mudge's
I am so happy to hear she is doing well. You have all been in my thoughts and prayers numerous times already today. God Bless You!!!
Robin Junker
Dear Shawndra,Doug,ella, all the Beauchanmps,and Turners, Praise the Lord!!!!! WE Know that the Good Lord was with you yesterday. Know that we have been with you in our prayers all year and we had them in overdrive yesterday!!!!! Doug, we are so sorry to hear about your grandpa. I can't beging to imagine the rollercoster you have been on. Give Shawndra our love and our prayers are still in overdrive. we love you all, Tim,Jan, and Grandma
great news. praying for speedy recovery.
stassen
I know she cannot accept flowers in ICU, but when she moves to a reg. room- we want to send some her way...let us all know when sending cards,flowers is appropriate.
Hugs to all of you!
Laura T., NP, Adrian, MO
So glad to hear all went well and that Shawndra is resting well after such a major surgery. The road to recovery is on its way and I will be praying everyday, like I have in the past, that God's gives her strength, courage, peace and determination. I am so relieved that it went so well and the doctors are so pleased...a lot of that nasty cancer is gone and now Shawndra's FIGHT can kick the rest of it out of there! May God Bless you all and keep you safe....my prayers are with you all always!
YES!!! :-)
Sue
Despite the pain, fantastic news overall. I'm glad you were able to get some sleep, because she needs you with your game face on!
I'm sure many are thinking this and some have said it, but I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for being such a wonderful husband, friend, soulmate and rock for Shawndra. Along with my tears of joy, your sweet and loving words have brought more tears.
There are a lot of people who run from situations like this, but not you. Speaking from experience, my Dad was our rock when my mom was battling her cancer. I was 9 and my brother was 1. Ironically, the Beauchamp Family was there for us, as well.
While everyone knows Shawndra is an amazingly strong woman, I also want them to know that you are just as amazing and that she wouldn't be who she is now without you. I can't leave out your families, especially the countless days Mrs Beauchamp has spent at your house helping Shawndra. She is a very lucky girl to have all of you in her life.
Thanks again for taking the time to keep us posted. I can't tell you how much it means to me.
I hope you all have a wonderful day!!
Love, Dustin
That was the longest night ever! I checked over and over again for updates, so now reading this puts a smile on my face. I am happy to hear you got some rest and are feeling refreshed. That too is so important to the equation. I look forward to many moregreat posts.
We're so happy everything went well!! More prayers and wishes for a good recovery. So sorry about your grandfather, Doug, our hearts and prayers go out to your family as well. Again, please call us if you need anything.
Love,
Chad, LeeAnn & Carlie Cure (and Maizie too!)
Just wanted to let you all know that the Coon clan is/has been thinking about you. Glad the new is good. So sorry about Doug's grandfather - he was so cute that 4th of July at the lake. Hang in there.Thanks for keeping us posted.
Love all us Coons.
THANK U SO FOR THE UPDATE DOUG, I HAVE BEEN CHECKING THE BLOG SINCE U LAST UPDATED...AS I CHECKED I PRAYED AGAIN FOR BRIGHTER DAYS AHEAD FOR U ALL....WE HAD SNOW SHOWERS HERE IN KC THIS MORNING...AS IT SNOWED ALL I COULD THINK OF WAS SHAWNDRA...THAT GOD WOULD HELP TO COMFORT HER, GIVE HER HEALING AND MUCH STRENGTH WHILE IN ICU....MAY HER PAIN COME TO A HALT...WITH EACH PASSING MOMENT...ENJOY MICKEY "D'S" WITH ELLA...WITH CHRISTIAN LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP, YOUR ANGEL OF PRAYER IN KC, MO....JEN MILLER
GREAT NEWS, DOUG.
I KEEP ON THINKING ABOUT YOU AND SINCE I DID NOT HEAR FROM ANYONE I CALLED GREG THIS MORNING.
I'M SO GLAD.
DOUG, WE ONLY MET AT YOUR WEDDING.
I'M SO HAPPY SHWANDRA HAS YOU AS HER BELOVED HUSBAND AND FATHER OF HER CHILD.
TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOURSELVES.
I'M ALWAYS THINKING AND PRAYING FOR YOU ALL.
LOVE,
THE BRAZILIAN FRIENDS, LIVING IN FLORIDA
MARCUS, ROSWITA, RAINER AND CARLA SCHMIEDT
Shawndra,
Good afternoon! I was so happy to read Doug's update this afternoon and to know that you are doing well. I am sure that you will be so excited to see Ella and your other family coming to visit you this weekend. I hope that you get lots of good rest and that your pain is well controlled. Know that many people are praying for you and hoping for a speedy recovery!
Jennifer Teegarden MD
Thank you for the update, Doug. I've been thinking about Shawndra all day...frantically checking the blog before leaving for the day, and rushing right to my computer when I got home to check! And I've never even met you guys!!! I think that shows just how special Shawndra is to so many!!
I am so glad to hear things seem to be going so well. I'll continue to pray for a full and fast recovery for her. Enjoy Ella tonight! I just got back from one of those Playlands with my 4 year old, although I didn't do any sliding or tube climbing myself!! :)
God Bless you all in the coming days. Shawndra will be close to my heart.
Michelle
Dear Doug
I'm sorry your grandfather passed away.
God knows what he's doing.
We're all in His hands.
He's saving your Shwandra for many , many more moments together.
You're such a special person.
Reading your blogg, talking about Ella, playing with her, What a Great Father, YOU ARE!!
What a FANTASTIC AND LOVING HUSBAND, SON, and GRANDSON!!!
Keep your spirits high, and hug, kiss and hug Shwandra for all of us.
Love,
Roswita ( Brazilian friend living in Florida= We only met at your wedding)
Doug and Shawndra,
We are so happy to hear that things went well. We will continue to keep you all in our prayers and will update our church prayer team as well. Doug, we are sorry for the loss of your grandfather and pray that God will continue to give you strength as you as by Shawndra's side.
Phil and Kristal Rayson
yayyyyyy shawndra!!!!! this is fantastic news---- I"m so glad they were able to get so much of it out. good for you.
I am so glad to hear about that smile on Shawndra's face. I couldn't wait to hear her reaction to when you told her the good news. Even through all that pain, she has to be feeling so much overwhelming joy. She is very brave and I hope she's progressing well with her recovery. Have fun at McDonald's with Ella. Tell Shawndra how happy all of us on the blog are for her and that we're cheering her on for a quick recovery. My prayers continue for Shawndra and for your entire family. I know it's a difficult time amidst the joy after losing your Grandfather yesterday. What a bittersweet day it was. And your heart must be torn in two. Please know that I am thinking about and praying for your family in your time of sorrow. I know the pain of losing a loved one is very difficult. Take care and God Bless. Leisa
Praise the Lord for Shawndra's successful surgery. I will continue to pray for pain relief and a quick recovery.
Love from GA
Doug and Shawndra,
Thank you for taking the time to update those of us in blogland on Shawndra's progress.
Please know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. The grace with which you've handled this difficult week (and the exhausting battle in general) is amazing. Your dedication to your faith, to Ella and to one another is a rare and beautiful thing to see.
Thinking of & praying for you all,
jg
If people are checking the comments - we arrived last night, Ella got to see Daddy and have some special time with him! I am currently unable to get to my email from the hospital computer, so I'll update like this for a bit. Shawndra is looking pretty good - freckles and all!! She was in some pain and discomfort last night, but she got some increased meds and seemed to drift off to sleep well. She's sitting up this morning which I feel is a good thing. Hopefully we'll get to see her real soon and Dr. Foster should be doing his rounds shortly. We'll update as we can with any exciting news. Ella was excited to see Daddy but wants to see mommy as well. (Shawndra doesn't want her to be scared with all the tubes and lines and beeps). Keep praying for the pain to ease and be managed. Thanks for all the prayers, she knows how hard everyone has been praying. Until later,
Andrea
(Shawndra's sister)
Getting ready to head out into the beautiful sunshine.
Just checking in to see how things went last night.
We hope you had a restful, peaceful evening void of too much pain.
Continued love, prayers and support.
Brad, Brandi,Victoria and Olivia
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