The First Operation - ICU

My first operation was scheduled for the 30th October. The operation was to remove the inner portion of the T/12 vertebrae and fuse my spine. Little did Yvette I and know on how huge this operation would be! The operation lasted around 6 hours, I lost around 4l of blood. When I starting coming out of anesthetic in ICU, the pain was incredible! I was also freezing cold, and shacking madly. Yvette says all I said was my rib is sore and I'm cold. I also remember being extremely thirsty, my tongue felt dry and wrinkled.

ICU is really not a nice place to be, there where no windows, so you could not see outside. I just watched the clock on the wall, for those 4 days. I was determined to get out of ICU as soon as possible. I also felt I could not pray, or I felt it hard to do so, perhaps this was this the medication. I asked Yvette to please hold me up in prayer. Little did I know that there where armies of people that where praying for me! Thanks you Lord!

In this time I was determined to get off the morphine as soon as possible. They give you a little button to press for self medication. Although I guess it takes the pain away, one feels drugged. I found that I would want to sleep, but my senses where so active, that the slightest noise, or movement or what ever would wake me up. Sometimes I would "skrik wakker" (good afrikaans expression).

I made every effort to eat well, drink water, reduce my dependance on medicine just to get out of there. I was also very uncomfortable, as I had 2 drain pipes that come out of my ribs, which I felt like I was lying on them, sore! Soon I was going to make it to High Care...

The Body of Christ

It was amazing to see how how the Body of Christ was engaged! Prayer support started pouring in, prayer chains where formed, cell groups prayed, individuals prayed. So much prayer need, so much pray offered.

Prayer that was felt, Thanks so Much. Also the support offered in this time was amazing, from help with lifts for the children to food in the evenings, Thanks so Much!

Yvette and I really, felt the the Body of Christ was stirred into action, and as a body would, just started functioning as such. If one of its members is hurting, it will send re-enforcements for healing and assistance.

The Emotional Roller Coaster Ride

The curve ball! How did this happen? I'm so young (43), have so much more of life to live, so much more to give! Another 40 years + of life to go, had just grind to a halt! What now? I was faced with my own mortality. 

I found myself constantly listening to worship music on my iPod, seeking the Lords face, crying out to Him. I think the people in hospital though I had lost it, but I really need to connect with the Lord. His Word my comfort, my sure help in time of need. Scriptures that came to me, with new meaning! 

Music that really touched me, and kept me going was Jesus Culture, pure worship, keeping my mind focused. I felt that I didn't want any other external influences, I just wanted to connect with my Lord. I could not bear the thought of switching on the tv, it just felt like a waist of time, being distracted by the "things of world".

The strange thing was the peace I experienced, total peace, I knew no matter what happened, He was with me. The two concepts that came to me was "to Gods Glory" and "the extension of "His kingdom", I stood in anticipation that no matter what, God will get the Glory, and through the path I must walk, that His kingdom would be extended.

And through it all, there was a pillar of strength right next to me, Yvette. She stood by me, comforted me, held my hand, cried with me. I thank the Lord for her. 

Friday was the day!

Friday at the office, I get a call from Yvette letting me know that I had been booked into hospital.
She had taken my x-rays to our local GP for comment, with an appointment she had for Chloe. When the GP saw the x-rays, she immediately called the Radiologist, who confirmed the severity of the situation. As stability in my spine was critical.

I immediately left the office and came home, packed my overnight bags, and was admitted to Unitas Hospital. For the next 4 days, I underwent various tests, including blood tests, mri, c-t scans, etc. The doctors also then confirmed the treatment options. The stability of the spine was the most crucial aspect, as it could collapse and damage the spinal chord.

The doctors confirmed, at that point in time that it was a plasmacytoma blood cancer which attacks bone, and had only occurred in one place. There was no other evidence of any other lesions. The treatment course was confirmed to remove the vertebrae and fuse my back. The operation was schedule for the following Friday. The doctors also confirmed that I would need radiation and possible therapy. But first the operation.