Post Opt Day 10

Lacey has began to have some increases in her pain over the past few days which has been discouraging to her, and me. However, the doctors and surgical staff ensures us that these pains are expected and that they will begin to dimenish with time. The pains she's experiencing are like muscle cramps in her stomach that radiates from her front abdomen around to her ribs and back. These pains come on suddenly and usually last until she is able to get a medication that will help relax her muscles. The doctors said that many patients get these pains after surgery as the stomach begins to wake up and move again. She had an episode around 4am, then another around 9, then we just had another very severe episode about 3pm. She is now resting comfortably. She tried to do some walking in the midst of this last episode but it did not help. Her blood sugars have been better and more regularly controlled with a slight increase in the amound of insulin she gets in the morning. So far today she hasn't needed any additional insulin. She did order a cheeseburger at lunch with fries, which is a dream for her, but she was only able to eat about half the fries and two bites of the burger. Her stomach is just not able to hold the food that her mouth and eyes dream of. That will get better.
They have also cut her IV pain medicine down greatly and she is getting some pain meds by mouth. She is doing very well with the pain, except when those sharp spasms come on. The doctors are still hopeful for discharge on Monday, and they are doing calorie counts today to see if lacey is taking in enough food or if she'll continue on TPN after discharge until her stomach stretches a bit. We are still hoping the drainage tube will be pulled out of abdomen tomorrow, but not today because it is still draining.
Please pray specifically today for Lacey's strength and encouragment from God. Pray that He will give her extra encouragment and hold her up as He has thus far. She is discouraged at the increase in her pains and the muscle spasms and she is really beginning to get homesick. She also misses Elyse so much and desires greatly to be with her again. Just when you think the battle can't get any more difficult, there are new challenges and new goals. Lacey understands that she is not ready for discharge physically, but mentally she wonders how many more days she can go. We are faithful that God will continue to hold her up by His gracious hands and she knows to trust Him through these trials. However, with pain and fatigue, it is very difficult for her to focus. Please pray that God will continue to reveal Himself to her and that he will encourage her to press on.