Need some well wishes, prayers, & pixie dust

[challer]

I know there are plenty of people around here that may need this more than me, but good thought and wishes seem to be in good supply on the DIS.

I'm in the ER with my wife who has been having waxing and waning severe abdominal pain for 10 hours. It appears that she's having ovarian torsion (ovary is twisting & the blood supply gets cut off). We may be looking at surgery.

The surgery would be a laproscopic procedure to simply untwist the ovary, and then we're good. However, there is the possibility that she may need to have the ovary removed.

Usually that's not that big of a deal - there's a good reason why we have two of many of our body parts (ask Kevin about his eyes). But its more complicated than that. My wife has had an episode that might have left some scarring in her other fallopian tube, so removing this ovary would make it that much more difficult to have any more kids. This would be on top of the fact it took a lot of doctors, medicine, money, and emotional strain to get our current 2 wonderful kids, so I wouldn't want the door closed any tighter to have any more.

So, let's hope for no surgery, but if necessary, I'm hoping for an easy, uncomplicated procedure with an easy recovery.

Her name is Jessica.

For those who want to include her Hebrew name in prayers: Simah Chaya bat Sarah Gittel

Thanks.

[BrizMarc]

hope it all works out for you, My prayers are with you guys

[tinkbutt]

I'm Sorry to hear this. I will have your wife and your family in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everything will turn out just fine.:hug::hug::hug sending some :pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust:pixiedust: your way!!!

[Becx N Gav]

So sorry to hear you are going through this - I will keep you both in my thoughts and hope that is all goes smoothly :hug:

[MomlvsGoofy]

Hope all goes well for your wife. Keeping her in our prayers.:hug:

[Madi100]

I'm sorry Jessica is going through this. We will keep her in our prayers.

[DVCsince02]

Wishing her well.

[Mouse Skywalker]

Sorry to hear this Chad. I'm wishing Jessica all the best.

[MerriePoppins]

Sending prayers your way. :hug:

[Cherinva]

Here's wishing her well.

[mejkjj97]

I will be keeping your wife and family in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everything goes well.:grouphug:

[ma2jr]

Sending prayers and pixie dust :tinker:

[Tonya2426]

Keeping you and Jessica in my prayers. :hug:

[Derby4me]

I will be thinking of you and Jessica all day today. She is blessed to have a caring and understanding husband like yourself. Please keep us posted.

[parrotheadlois]

I hope Jessica's procedure is over soon and all goes well. Take care Chad, and please let us all know how it goes.

:grouphug:

[calypso*a*go-go]

Sending prayers your way! Please give us an update when possible. :hug:

[safetymom]

I will be keeping you and Jessica in my thoughts and prayers.

[challer]

OK, no avoiding surgery. We're going to the OR now.

Thanks so much for the well wishes. Keep 'em coming. Jess is happy to hear from DISers, but she wants me to update her mother first before the DIS Boards. You'll be the 2nd to know.



Thanks again, all.

[mikelan6]

Wishing you the best of luck, Jessica! :goodvibes

[halliesmommy01]

Wishing Jessica a speedy recovery. Lots of pixie dust headed your way.

[SamSam]

Sending thoughts and prayers for you and Jessica.

[DisneyKevin]

Chad,

Prayers and good thoughts are headed your way.

Please let Jessica know that we are thinking about her.

Kevin

[TXYankee]

You and Jessica are in my thoughts.

Wishing you the best!

[Carolinagal]

Wishing her good health and skilled surgeons!:grouphug:

[figment3258]

Sending prayers and good thought to you and Jessica. :hug:pixiedust:

[ead79]

I'm sorry to hear that Jessica will need surgery. My prayers are with her that she'll have a very successful surgery and will recover quickly with no issues affecting her fertility. Also, I will pray for comfort and peace for you since I'm sure it's hard to be in the waiting room waiting for news. :hug:

[aspen37]

I'm keeping the both of you in my thoughts. :grouphug:

[Kristina]

Sending prayers and warm thoughts to you and Jessica, may her surgery go smoothly and everything turn out well :hug:.

[challer]

So, she's been in the OR for 45 minutes now, and I'm trying to keep busy. What the heck is up with the hospital chapel being locked?! So, after making a few phone calls & updating family, I now have nothing to do but check the boards on my Blackberry. And I'm eating hospital cafeteria sushi, so I'll probably be in the ER for myself in around 8-12 hours.

Trying to keep things light...

I was really shocked to see how much pain she was in. By the time she went to surgery, all fertility issues were way secondary to getting the pain out of her belly.

Thanks again for the positivity. It helps a lot.

Ugh, that sushi was a mistake...

[safetymom]

I hope you hear something soon. It's always tough being the one waiting.

[ADP]

Best of luck with the procedure. We'll be thinking of you during this time.

[dfchelbay]

אלוהים נא ברכו simah' בת שרה gittel ואת שגח אותה במהלך אותה ניתוח והתאוששות. נא ברכו בני משפחתה, ולאפשר לה מלא העשיר החיים כדי ליהנות עם בני משפחתו. נא ברוך השם simah את היכולת להיות יותר ברוך ילדים בעתיד. האלים. שם שאנחנו מבקשים זה הברכה.

[challer]

The surgeon just came out and told me that her ovary was in fact twisted, but they were able to untwist it and drained a cyct that was most likely causing it to turn. Ovary stays. Minimal bleeding. Still coming out of anesthesia though, so still can't see her yet.

We are in the hospital where I perform my pediatric ophthalmolgy surgery, so it's hard for me sitting outside the OR when I can so easily go in there myself. But I can't do that, so I'll continue to sit here in the waiting room with the loud TV showing mind-dumbingly stupid TV shows.

But I can smile a bit now...

[safetymom]

I am glad to hear you received some good news!

[DisneyKevin]

Thats terrific news Chad.

We'll continue to keep Jessica in our thoughts.

Kevin

[dfchelbay]

Everyone's doing the happy dance for you.

:woohoo::dance3::banana::cheer2::dancer:party::jum ping1::jumping3::jumping2::tinker::simba::stitch:: dumbo::sulley::tigger::tink::mickeyjum

[LilGMom]

Your wife is definately in my thoughts. Hope she has a 110% recovery!!

[mainegal]

Please tell your wife that DISers are keeping her future good health in their thoughts and prayers. Hope all goes well.

To counteract the sushi, maybe some nice hospital pudding?

[BriarRosie]

Just read this. Glad Jessica is ok.

[figment3258]

Glad to hear some good news. I'll keep you all in my prayers. Here is to a speedy recovery. :grouphug:

[TIGGERmetoo]

Wonderful news - here's more prayer and pixie dust pixiedust:. Don't eat anymore hospital sushi!

[TSWJan78]

Here are a few more prayers and pixie dust.. Hope she is feeling better real soon!

[corky441]

Sending warm thoughts your way. Hope Jessica is doing better by the minute.
I'll keep you & family in my prayers today.

[Becx N Gav]

Thanks for the update, I'm glad things went ok and hopefully she is over the worst of it :hug: We're all thinking of you both and sending good thoughts :grouphug:

[itsmuggsie]

Glad you received good news, I'll keep Jessica in my thoughts for a speedy recovery. :hug:

[chickie]

Thank you for the update. I'm happy it turned out well. Here's some more pixie dust and prayers for her speedy recovery.:grouphug:

[hideeh]

keeping you, Jessica and your family in my thoughts and prayers.

:hug:

[wishspirit]

I am glad the operation went ok. Keeping you, your wife and your family in my thoughts.

[DVCJones]

So happy you received some good news. I am keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers.:hug:

[AnneR]

Chad and Jessica,

I missed the excitement today so now that you are reading my message you have completed your surgery.

I am sorry to hear of your pain but cheered to hear that the surgery was successful. I will join the prayers in your fast recovery.

[cslittle999]

I'm glad that the operation went well. I can't imagine how hard it would be waiting to hear the news. I hope that Jessica makes a quick recovery.

[ericafny]

So glad the surgery went well. Hope your wife has a speedy recovery pixiedust:

[*NikkiBell*]

Many hugs and much PD heading towards both of you for a speedy recovery from all of this.

[StitchesGr8Fan]

I'm so glad things turned out ok for your family. Here's to a speedy recovery!:thumbsup2

[challer]

אלוהים נא ברכו simah' בת שרה gittel ואת שגח אותה במהלך אותה ניתוח והתאוששות. נא ברכו בני משפחתה, ולאפשר לה מלא העשיר החיים כדי ליהנות עם בני משפחתו. נא ברוך השם simah את היכולת להיות יותר ברוך ילדים בעתיד. האלים. שם שאנחנו מבקשים זה הברכה.

Amen & thank you. This went straight to the heart..

[challer]

What a wild 24-hour ride. Thankfully, we're back home & Jess is in some pain, but it's good to be back in her own bed (and percocet helps).

We went to the hospital thinking her pain was GI related. Had we known that it would be a GYN issue, we would have gone to or own doctor's hospital. However, the MD's were all stellar clinicians and capable surgeons, and all went smoothly. I was updating our private MD, who agreed with the team every step of the way. Big thanks go to them.

One notable "kudo" to the GYN team for changing the plan this AM. After the ultrasound in the ER last night, a decision was made to observe Jess until a formal U/S by a technician could be performed in the radiology department. So we were waiting for that anxiously. Just before she went to get her U/S, the GYN PA said, "Cancel that" and told us that after the team discussed it, another "formal" U/S wouldn't really change the plan for Jess because we would likely need a diagnostic laparoscopy anyway. That decision saved us 1-2 precious hours and showed the clinical guts it takes to be a confident doctor.

They could have done the test "just to be sure," but if it wasn't going to change the plan, why waste time and money? They could have gone ahead with the U/S (the tech was ready for us), and that would have clinched things for the record before going in, but they didn't. I respect that wholeheartedly. As an MD myself (and as an American citizen who cares about healthcare and its costs), I know it is difficult to resist the urge to order more tests "just to confirm again" or to cover oneself from legal consequences, but I maintain that if you can show (and document) strong clinical skills and good sense reasoning, unnecessary tests remain unnecessary. I have always felt that, while many unnecessary tests are done by doctors practicing "defensive medicine," many tests are also done when there is a lack of self confidence in a doctor's own decision making capabilities or when the doctor simply doesn't know what the heck to do. I see it all the time. It was quite refreshing to see a medical team (especially a GYN team, who have the highest malpractice issues of any specialty) use their collective minds and guts instead of relying on testing that wouldn't help Jess or them in any meaningful way. It may be that those precious hours saved actually saved my wife's ovary. Rock on to Doctors with Brains!

One thing troubled my wife: every doctor asked her how many children she had. This was clearly done to find out how heroic the surgeons needed to be in order to save the ovary. Understandable: a 16 year old girl with her reproductive life ahead of her would require her ovary more than a 39 year old woman who had her family and was done. Jess didn't like the way it was asked. She felt that the discussion should be opened with "Are you interested in having any more children in the future," rather than "Do you have any children and how many?" A 20 year old woman with no kids may have no interest in having kids ever, while a 35 year old woman with three kids may desperately want one more. This could be seen as nitpicking, but I saw what Jess was getting at. She didn't want the fact that she had two healthy kids at home tilt the odds against having any more in the future, and she didn't want to be judged as possibly being greedy for wanting her ovary saved. I see her point. Of course, by the time she was sent down to the OR, she was in so much pain she might have agreed to having both ovaries out, a hysterectomy, and an appendectomy all in one shot done with a samurai sword!

Anyway, I couldn't be more pleased. Thank G*d. And thanks to all you DIsers who shared your prayers and good ol' PD. It made the waiting room less stressful. It really makes a huge difference. And while Jess is surely not a DISer (she is the Ying to my Disney Yang in this house), she did like that she got pixie dust sent her way. Of course, when I asked her if she wanted to celebrate her successful surgery by going to the Poly for a few days, she nearly ripped my voicebox out of my throat. :eek: I just can't help from trying...

On a Disney note, I have always felt a bit bad that I could never go to these Disney meets around the country - whether it's Mousefest, Podcast cruses, DAP, ABD, D23 Expo, etc. I really wanted to go to D23 this week, but again, I have patients that need me and a family that needs me. It bothers me at times. However, had I booked a trip to the D23 expo prior to this happening, I'd be screwed. Now that my wife is home safe and needs me to help her heal, I really couldn't care less that I'm missing D23. I'm glad I'm home. Now I just have to remember that when I hear about DAP this winter, I can say that I wish I could join you, but I need to be where my heart is - home with my wife and kids...

And there is nowhere else I'd rather be more. :goodvibes

M&Ms for everyone at Chat tomorrow night... on me!

G'night - I haven't slept more than three hours over the last 42 hours, and I did a huge bike tour during that time. (55 miles on Sunday and 50 miles on Monday). :faint:

[SamSam]

I am so glad that things went so well for Jessica, and it seems the doctors were stellar.

As for your biking, that rock's! Dh and I used to bike a lot and we did many 150MS rides....150 miles in 2 days to raise money for MS.

[disneymom8589]

Great news about the surgery! Prayers to your wife for a speedy and healthy recovery. :goodvibes

[challer]

I started to listen to the podcast for this week...

Kathy & Kevin, it's not nice to make me tear up while I'm driving...

All kidding aside, thank you, the Podcast team, and all DISers for your warm wishes. I hope someday to meet some of you in person so I can express my gratitude face to face.

While Jess is still home recovering, she's already back on the phone & computer raising heck with work. That's my girl!

Thank you, thank you, thank you...

[Yvet]

Get well recovery wishes for the both of you.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

[safetymom]

I started to listen to the podcast for this week...

Kathy & Kevin, it's not nice to make me tear up while I'm driving...

All kidding aside, thank you, the Podcast team, and all DISers for your warm wishes. I hope someday to meet some of you in person so I can express my gratitude face to face.

While Jess is still home recovering, she's already back on the phone & computer raising heck with work. That's my girl!

Thank you, thank you, thank you...

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer and I was glad we could send well wishes and prayers your way.

If you make it to WDW I would love to meet you both in person.

[adsrtw]

Chad and Jessica,

I am so sorry that I missed this. My best wishes and prayers for a speedy recovery.

~Amiee

[daneenm]

Chad and Jessica, thinking of you both!

[challer]

I am a firm believer in the power of prayer and I was glad we could send well wishes and prayers your way.

If you make it to WDW I would love to meet you both in person.

If I make it to WDW, I'll let you know asap.

(However, I don't see that happening in the near future... unless I run the marathon. I hate that I have to run a marathon in order to get back there!)