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Posted Sunday afternoon, February 5, 2006 Praying Brothers & Sisters, The colitis symptoms are basically gone, and I just finished the antibiotics. A week after I finished the last round of antibiotics was when the bacterial infection hit which sent me back to the hospital. Please pray that nothing like this will happen again. Only time will tell if the antibiotics were able to get it all this time. I also want to express my thanks again to so many of you who sent cards, letters, and emails, especially since my second hospitalization. They have been a tremendous source of encouragement. There were many times during the depressing days of that unanticipated setback in January when your kind words were the Lord's means of granting me perseverance. I'm not sure of all I was meant to learn by this experience. I am sure that we can't always isolate one overarching lesson from crises such as this, and I'm sure that the things we are meant to learn from them aren't always obvious early on. As time enables me to move more from a focus on the most basic physical aspects of recovery to where I can be more reflective about the whole experience, perhaps these things will sort out more clearly. I am sure that God's grace is sufficent for me (2 Cor. 12:9). May the power of Christ spoken of in that verse be "perfected in [my] weakness." So pray that in all these things the Lord will be glorified. Pray that this will result in greater intimacy with Christ and more conformity to Him. Pray that it will lead to increased fruitfulness in my ministry. Unless I have another unexpected setback, this will probably be the last entry on this update page. Henceforth I anticipate providing health updates in my regular newsletter. Thank you for checking this page as often as you have. Thanks especially to Susan Verstraete who did the actual work of posting the information. Thanks to all who took the information from this page and prayed, and who passed it along to others who prayed. Only eternity will reveal what the Lord did through your prayers. By His grace and for His glory, Posted Monday evening, January 30, 2006 Good report today. The surgeon removed the drain, and although he considered ordering another CT scan, he concluded that the cavity was continuing to contract as desired. I'm to continue taking the strong antibiotic for another week or so, and he is confident that it is doing the job. Tomorrow (Tuesday, Jan. 31) is spring convocation at the seminary. I intend to participate, and then teach the first sessions of two classes. This will be the most strenuous (i.e., most "normal") day since before my surgery back on December 20. How good of the Lord to enable me to endure all the medical procedures of the last six weeks without having to miss any school! But your prayers for my endurance would be appreciated. By His grace and for His glory, Posted Saturday evening, January 28, 2006 Praying Brothers & Sisters, Thanks to those who prayed for me yesterday. My energy level today has been considerably higher than any time since I came home from the hospital Wednesday evening. Last night I had the most and best sleep in about ten days, and that surely helped. But I've still needed frequent rests throughout the day and overall my energy level is much less than it ought to be. My surgeon called and said he'd checked with a pharmacist to make sure that low blood sugar wasn't a side effect of the antibiotic I'm taking. Monday he wants some blood work done prior to my office visit with him. Sometimes I'm reluctant to provide so many details lest this appear too self-focused. But daily I receive correspondence encouraging me to continue in this way, for many of you are appreciative of the details and the background they provide for specific prayer requests. Which reminds me to thank you once again for all the encouragement I've received this week. It has been timely. I had expected to feel so much better than this almost six weeks after surgery. To feel as badly as I often have in the past week has also proven to be one of the more difficult spiritual trials of this ordeal. The Lord has often used your words of support as a means of refreshment for my soul. As you pray for me, I hope you will remember to pray for John Piper, whose cancer surgery is scheduled for February. Also, pray for a little girl named Marielle Nish. Friday she was found to be in the fourth (i.e., the worst) stage of neuroblastoma, one of the fastest-growing cancers. She is six-years-old. We were in church together with her family back in Kansas City. I am so grateful—as are her Godly parents—that there is One who is all-powerful, sovereign over all, and who is preparing a place for His people where "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain" (Rev. 21:4). By His grace and for His glory, Posted Friday evening, January 27, 2006 Since coming home Wednesday night, my energy level has seemed at a record low. Getting out of bed to eat has hardly seemed worth the effort. I felt much better than this (in terms of energy) during the last few days in the hospital. I have self-diagnosed the problem as extremely low blood sugar. I've never had any problems of this type before. Though he is not sure this is the cause, the surgeon said by phone that this sometimes happens to people after they are withdrawn from long-term administration of some of the nutrients they were giving me in the hospital. We're trying to manage this by diet until I see the doctor again on Monday. Please pray for my energy level to return and for there to be no long-term implications from this situation. And pray that "the inner man" will be renewed even if the outer man has no energy. He did say that other observations I provided encouraged him to believe that the antibiotic for the colitis was working, and also that he thought he would indeed be able to withdraw the drain on Monday. These are ongoing prayer requests. Finally, let me say again how grateful I am for your prayers, cards, emails, etc. Even before a bundle of them came to me in the hospital, I wasn't able to reply to most of the communications I've received. I trust you will understand that in most cases, I have simply been unable to acknowledge the kind and encouraging words you have sent. Be assured, however, that I have read all I have received, and have sometimes been moved to tears by what was said. So many of you—many of whom I have never met—have ministered in such blessed ways to me, and I could only receive. It has been frustrating at times to be unable even to say "thank you," much less to minister to you in return. How beautiful is the body of Christ! How do people live who do not have the Lord, the promises of His Gospel, and the encouragements and prayers of His people at such times? For all you who have prayed, written, called, etc., enjoy the promise of Hebrews 6:10—"For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints." By His grace and for His glory, Posted Wednesday afternoon, January 25, 2006 Home. At 6:30 this (Wednesday, Jan. 25) morning, my surgeon came into my darkened room and asked if I wanted to go home. Place that on this list of the world's most unnecessary questions. It's now late in the afternoon and I am home. It is an inexpressible relief to return to the best place in the world. Since my response to the treatment is progressing, he released me because (1) I can take the antibiotic for the colitis orally, and (2) I can wear the drain for the cavity just as well at home as in the hospital. The prayer requests remain basically the same: (1) spiritual and physical stamina for myself and family; (2) healing of the colitis; and (3) effective drainage and shrinkage of the cavity. Also pray for the battle of the backlog. Bills, emails, life maintenance responsibilities, etc. Pray, too, that I won't have to cancel any further preaching/teaching responsibilities. My hospitalization forced me to do so last weekend and this for the first time in ten years of weekend ministry travel. It was frustrating for me to cancel with these churches so close to the events. One of these had begun making arrangements three years ago. All were gracious and understanding, but I had no choice. May the Lord bless these churches, as we recognize His sovereignty of all. This is our comfort in all affliction and frustration: "His sovereignty rules over all" (Psalm 103:19).
In the Potter's hand, Posted Tuesday evening, January 24, 2006 Things continue to improve, but at a slow pace. The surgeon told me today that it may take as long as a month before the colitis comes to an end. Until this occurs I can expect the abdominal growling, gurgling, and churning, to continue every few minutes. But he does believe that the antibiotic against this bug will eventually prevail. The best news today was that the cavity (where once the hematoma from the colon surgery was located) has shrunk to the size of the small balloon that is holding the drain in place within the cavity. The surgeon withdrew half the fluid from the balloon in order to further shrink the cavity. He plans to keep the drain in place for another week. At that time he expects the cavity to contract to the point where it will become a kind of cap for the hole in the colon. I did not realize until today that this cavity was once in size and shape of something like half a grapefruit. That clarified my understanding of why the surgeon was so concerned about it from the beginning. I do appreciate the prayers since yesterday for my spiritual health. Today I had the best time in the Word of any thus far during my two visits (comprising 17 days) in the hospital. Isaiah 45 was especially precious, with its explosive refrain, “I am the Lord and there is no other.” He is “The One forming light and creating darkness, causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these” (45:7). Pray that the Lord will stir me to the spiritual diligence I so desperately need. And do pray for a swift relief from the symptoms of colitis and that the cavity will quickly and effectively shrink to close off the hole in the colon. By His grace and for His glory, Posted Monday evening, January 23, 2006 Don called today to say he was feeling better. The doctor explained Don's illness as follows. Usually different types of bacteria keep eachother in check in the colon. The antibiotics Don had been taking killed some kinds of bacteria, allowing other types to thrive and causing Don's colitis. Changing antibiotics seems to have solved this problem. The second problem, infection in the cavity near the incision, is being treated by placing a drain in the cavity. The doctor said this procedure was working - the cavity is shrinking. Don asks for prayer that his spirit would prosper as well as his body during this time. Lack of sleep, pain and illness have made him uncharacteristically lethargic. Also pray that the antibiotics would continue to be effective and that the cavity would continue to shrink. Caffy asks for prayer that she'd be able to hold up physically to the extra demands placed on her by Don's illness and hospitalization. Posted Saturday evening, January 21, 2006 Don called tonight to report that the procedure went as planned. The doctor was able to clean out much of the infection manually and place the drain in the cavity. Don is still on IV antibiotics and painkillers, but is feeling better today. He'll be on a liquid diet for a few days. Another CAT scan is scheduled for Monday to check on the progress of the drainage. Don asks that you pray that the procedures to eliminate infection would be successful. Don is at Norton Audubon Hospital, One Audubon Plaza Drive, Louisville, KY 40217, room 6216. Posted Friday evening, January 20, 2006 Don has been diagnosed with an infectious bacteria in his colon. This infection has spread through hole in the colon into the cavity outside that spot (where the hematoma had been) and has also resulted in painful colitis. Tomorrow afternoon the doctors plan a procedure to clean out the infection and insert a drain. Don will spend at least a week in the hospital while the infection drains, and then the doctors will re-evaluate the situation. A second surgery is still a possibility. Don asks that you pray for healing of the colitis, and for the success of the procedure tomorrow. Posted Thursday afternoon, January 19, 2006 Just a little more information - Don is resting in the hospital in a temporary room, since the hospital is full. He is on IV antibotics and painkillers so that he can sleep. The doctor plans to read Don's CAT scan later today, but is sure there's an infection somewhere. Posted Thursday morning, January 19, 2006 Caffy just called and said that Don has been admitted to the hospital with a high fever and dehydration - probably having to do with infection from the recent surgery. We will update as they learn more. Posted Tuesday morning, January 17, 2006 Praying friends, The next big turning point is Thursday (Jan. 19). I'm to have a CT scan in the morning, and then meet with the surgeon to discuss the results at 11:45. In particular, he is hoping to see that the hole in the colon is healing and that the cavity outside that spot (where the hematoma had been) is shrinking. Of course, he will also watch for any signs of leakage and infection. In summary, the prayer requests are:
Ever grateful for your prayers, Posted Thursday morning, January 12, 2006 I can’t begin to thank the readers of this newsletter for all the prayers and other expressions of concern. I have sensed my dependence upon the prayers of God’s people more than ever before. Please continue to pray, especially along these lines:
The Lord has been very gracious to us. I have had some sweet and precious times with Him in recent days. I have been reminded of how full of suffering the world is, and how vaporous this life is. Lying in a hospital bed with a nine-inch gash in my abdomen, unable to say or do anything for Him, I have sensed the tender love and condescending compassion of Jesus. Unable at times to even piece together two words of praise, He did not forsake me though I could offer nothing to Him. How good is God, that He would send His Son to suffer and die to deliver us from such a world and to bring us to a place where we could enjoy Him forever! We do not deserve it, and He gains nothing by being so gracious to us. It is all a display of how good and glorious He is. Finally, also remember to pray for the FamilyLife Today broadcasts on Monday and Tuesday. Please pray that the Lord would bring much lasting fruit from the messages on family worship. Don Whitney Posted Monday afternoon, January 9, 2006 Brothers & Sisters, Thank you so much for your prayers about today's procedures. The Lord has blessed us with a very good report. During the scope the surgeon was able to locate the hole in the colon. He removed some clotting, and from there was able to drain what little remained from the hematoma just outside the colon. A four-inch cavity remains there, and it may be a year before the cavity disappears. Most remarkably (says my surgeon), the location of the hole has prevented leakage from the colon and the development of infection at that point. He believes that unless something unforeseen happens, the hole will soon heal itself. So, the Lord has been gracious to answer our primary prayer, that is, that no further procedures would be necessary. The surgeon does want to monitor the hole and the cavity by means of frequent CT scans. For as long as they exist—especially the hole in the colon—I'm "not out of the woods" (as the surgeon put it). In other words, if an infection were to develop, it has the potential to ruin everything that's been done so far. Therefore, the focus of our prayer now is for (1) continued strength and recovery, and (2) that the small hole in the colon would heal, and (3) that no infection would develop. Thank you again for your prayers. There have been many times in the past three weeks when I was so weak or unable to think clearly that I feebly prayed, "Lord, please hear the prayers Your people are praying for me." It was a precious comfort to me to know that so many of you were indeed praying. More precious still has been the truth of Rom. 8:26-27 that "in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God." When I've been too weak to pray, when I've been ignorant of what I should pray, I have relied upon this treasured truth that the Holy Spirit is praying for me. How good is God, that when we are most in need of prayer and yet also unable to pray, His Spirit prays for us! And of course, all the prayers of the Holy Spirit are answered. (Incidentally, the prayers of the Holy Spirit for us in verses 26-27 are one reason why we have the assurance of the next verse "that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.") So thanks be to God for all His mercies, both directly, and those He has shown through you. By His grace and for His glory, Posted Monday afternoon, January 9, 2006 Caffy reports that the procedure today went well. Don will post more details later. The doctor was able to drain at least part of the hematoma and get a better idea about the bubbles that showed up in an earlier CAT scan. Don went home today, but will have to have further tests to watch the progress of the remaining hematoma. Posted Sunday morning, January 8, 2006 Caffy and I were married 29 years ago today (Jan. 8). It was a Saturday, and the biggest snowfall in the history of the state occurred, as everyone who tried to leave town afterward reminds us to this day. This morning the sun has risen gloriously over an unseasonably warm day here in the Louisville area. By mid-morning Monday we should know whether the trajectory of my recovery from here is upward or downward. Please pray that the scope and CT scan will reveal that no further medical procedures are necessary. The possible results from Monday's exploration range all the way from sending me home with a word that everything is healing and I can return to preaching and teaching soon, to readmitting me to the hospital and reopening the incision, with a number of options in between (most of which are setbacks). I have to keep reminding myself of the big picture overall; that is, that I'm cancer-free, as cancer-free as when Caffy and I were married. And, incidentally, thanks to the events of the past three weeks, I now weigh the same as when we were first married! But after having reached this stage of recovery, the thought of readmission to the hospital, more surgery, etc., is repulsive. Moreover, as I mentioned in the previous update, please join me in praying that I can continue on the present trajectory of recovery so that I won't have to postpone any of the preaching and teaching opportunities to which I have been long committed. Have a blessed Lord's Day, Don Whitney Posted Friday afternoon, January 6, 2006 Brothers & Sisters, My first thought is to ask you to pray for John Piper. Today he announced that he was diagnosed with prostate cancer Dec. 21 (the day after my surgery). The prognosis is good, though he will have his prostate removed next month and expects to be in recovery for a few weeks following that. You can read the full report on www.desiringGod.org But before you go there, allow me to give this update on my situation and to request prayer. Today the surgeon said that sooner or later the hematoma has to go. This coming Monday (Jan. 9) I'm to report at Norton Audubon Hospital at 6:00 a.m. and at 7:30 the surgeon is to insert a scope to look at the resection of the colon. If he finds a hole there, I think he will try to drain away the hematoma. I think it is possible that this could be done quickly, but it is also possible that it could involve admission to the hospital and some days there for the hematoma to drain. Immediately after the scope, I'm to have another CT scan. This should tell him how successful the draining operation (if attempted) has been, or (if no hole was seen) the current status of the hematoma so he can decide what to do about it. So this is a real turning point in the recovery. If our prayers are answered and both the scope and CT scan show no problems on Monday, or if the surgeon is able to completely drain the hematoma and send me home on Monday, that would be ideal. From then on it would be a matter of gaining strength, and there would be no expected interruptions in my preaching and teaching schedule. But if Monday's evaluation results in further procedures (more hospitalization, additional surgery, etc.) then the recovery schedule is pushed back accordingly. I am very desirous of not having to miss any classroom teaching nor any commitments made to local churches. One of the churches that would be affected invited me a year ago, and another a full three years ago. They have invested a lot of time and money preparing for these events, and while both have already expressed their full understanding, I am praying that their ministries will not be disrupted because of my recovery. Thus far the timing of the surgery has not required me to miss any time in the classroom or pulpit. Of course, in all these things, God is sovereign and I am glad that it is so. As the Puritans used to say, I kiss the Hand that holds the rod. John Piper's announcement is another sobering reminder that our lives are but a vapor. All that concerns me is in fact not my work, but God's work, and He will continue it when and with whom He chooses. Still, the Bible encourages us to "let your requests be made known to God." And since I know of no biblical reason opposing the request, I would ask that you join me in praying that Monday's results would both increase my love for and conformity to Christ, be for His glory, AND not be a hindrance to keeping commitments I have made to preach and teach God's Word. By His grace and for His glory, Don Whitney Posted Thursday morning, January 5, 2006 Brothers and Sisters, This recovery continues to get "curiouser and curiouser." The bottom line and most important fact is that I'm cancer-free. But I'm still in danger of returning to the hospital and enduring more surgery, and thus a prolonged recovery time (with all the attendant complications on my ministry). After an awful day Monday and Tuesday, I had a CT scan Wednesday, and the surgeon called this (Thursday) morning. Yesterday he said I wasn't "exactly sailing through this surgery." After the CT scan he said he'd never seen a case quite like this. As we've reported from the beginning, there's a hematoma (pool of blood), something which commonly occurs after surgery. The problem is that it is right next to where the colon was stapled back together. The CT scan Wednesday shows a bubble in the hematoma. None of the possible explanations for the bubble is a good one. At present, the surgeon thinks there might be a small hole in the colon at this point and it is leaking gas into the hematoma. This gas would include bacteria which would promote infection. However, the perforation also seems to be allowing blood from the hematoma to leak into the colon and be eliminated, which is a good thing. The surgeon is encouraged that the CT scan shows no sign of infection, and I have none of the other problems (pain, fever) which would accompany an infection. So for now, he thinks the wisest thing is to do nothing, in hopes that the colon will heal itself. It seems to me that it would be remarkably providential, however, for this hole to heal itself at just the right time, i.e., when enough of the hematoma has been drained on the one side and there is no infection-producing gas on the other. Nevertheless, would you please pray to this end? I'm to have another CT scan on Monday to see how things stand. If the bubble or other anomaly is still there, the surgeon may also insert a scope to look for the hole and try to drain things that way. In any event, Monday seems to be the next anticipated time of decision. I'm asking the Lord, in accordance with his will and in submission to His sovereignty, to bring healing to this situation without further medical procedures. Please join me. By His grace and for His glory, Don Whitney Posted Wednesday evening, January 4, 2006 Don had a doctors appointment today. the doctor ordered a CAT scan to check on the hematoma, and other tests. After 6 hours of medical proceedures, you can imagine how tired Don is tonight! The CAT scan revealed a small bubble in the hematoma near the connection in the colon. This may indicate a leak, infection or something else; The doctor wasn't sure. Another CAT scan has been ordered for Monday. Don asks for fervent prayers until Monday that God would heal any problem by then without further medical proceedure that would delay his recovery. Posted Tuesday evening, January 3, 2006 Today marks two weeks since Don's surgery. He had a difficult day yesterday with several hours of nausea and vomiting. He's returned to a liquid diet and feels somewhat better, and very grateful for Caffy's patient care. Please pray that Don will be able to sleep tonight (he spent last night sitting up in a chair) and that his nausea and fever will abate. Don has an office visit tomorrow with the surgeon. Please pray that there will be no sign of infection or other complications, and that Don will have energy enough for the trip. Posted Sunday morning, January 1, 2006 The first day—and first Lord's Day—of 2006 has arrived with a rosy-banded dawn in the Louisville area. How grateful I am to be able to write this update for the first time in almost two weeks. I did arrive home Friday afternoon, but we were confused over the dosage of the medication, and I quickly went into a very high fever (from the incision?) Friday night. Since regulating these things, however, I feel much better and have had the best two nights' sleep since I was diagnosed with cancer almost three weeks ago. I remain in bed most of the time, frequently experience the normal discomfort of the bowels relearning their function (it feels a lot like the intestinal churning and cramping when you have an intestinal bug), and still deal with all the effects of a seeping, nine-inch incision in my abdomen. I'm not able to read very much (which is frustrating), and haven't gone online yet (except to send this update). For the moment, let me express (albeit inadequately) my gratitude to all of you who have prayed. The Lord has blessed us so much, and I believe He has blessed us through answering the prayers of His people. Sometimes I wrestled with privacy issues or revealing somewhat humiliating matters vs. receiving the prayers of God's people. Usually it boiled down to, "Hundreds, maybe thousands of people will pray specifically about this if I put this infomation on the website, but they won't be able to if I do not." So I opted to be as informative, and yet as discrete, as possible to take advantage of your willingness to pray. Thank you so much. (And thanks to Susan Verstraete who was willing to post the updates!) Please continue to pray. Restored bowel functions, protection from infection, and my witness top the list. I've developed a very good relationship with my surgeon. We spoke by phone at 9:30 Friday night when my fever was so high. Although he had just gotten out of a late surgery, he was concerned and has volunteered to drive more than half-an-hour to our house today to remove the remaining staples from my incision and to check for any signs of the potential infection which so concerns him. He admitted that although I'd been in eleven days, he really had wanted to keep me in the hospital another two days. But he gambled with the possitlity that fulflling my desire to return home would offset any benefits of two further days in the hospital. As I finished the last paragraph, my surgeon called to get directions. Please pray for the Lord's blessing upon him in every way. Don Whitney Posted Friday afternoon, December 30, 2005 Caffy is delighted to have Don home again. She asks for prayers that no complications would set in (specifically, that the hematoma would resolve and that no infection would occur). Caffy also expressed her gratitude for God's timing - according to the doctor, had Don waited 6 months longer to have his colonoscopy, it would have been too late. Please thank God for His providential care of the Whitney family as you continue to pray for Don's recovery. Posted Friday, December 30, 2005 Don is going home! The doctor has released Don from the hospital today. Don plans to be resting at home until a doctor's appointment on Wednesday. Don and Caffy expect just the trip home to be exhausting to Don, since his energy is very limited after surgery and such a long time in bed. The doctor has restricted Don from driving, climbing stairs and any strenuous activity, which shouldn't be a problem since Don is still weak and in pain. Please continue to pray for full colon funtion and Don's energy to return to normal. Also pray for Caffy and Laurelen as they care for Don over the next weeks. Posted Thursday evening, December 29, 2005 Nothing new to report tonight. Colon function has still not returned completely. Don is still in pain and discouraged with the progress of his recovery. Please continue to pray for his healing and emotional/spiritual endurance. Posted Thursday morning, December 29, 2005 Please continue to pray. Don's recovery does not seem to be proceeding incrementally forward as he had anticipated, which is emotionally draining. Colon function has not completely returned. This is causing Don a great deal of pain (he's unable to stand up straight or lie on his side in bed, for example) and frustration. Don asks for prayers for endurance, and that his appetite and energy may return. The good news is that it looks like Don will be released from the hospital tomorrow. Ten days of being wakened every hour and following a somewhat dehumanizing hospital routine has been psychologically difficult. Even though Don will still be bedfast most of the time, he's looking forward to being home. Please pray for Caffy and Laurelen as they take over his care. The doctor warned Don that he is not past danger of infection from the hematoma. Please pray that no further complications set in and most importantly, that colon functions completely resume. Don again expressed his gratitude for the prayers of God's people on his behalf, and the many expressions of concern he has received in phone calls, cards and emails. Posted Wednesday afternoon, December 28, 2005 Good news! The results of yesterday's CAT scan are back and no further proceedure will be necessary to remove the hematoma. As soon as all normal bowel function returns, Don should be able to go home, probably in two or three more days. Please keep praying for his recovery. Don is tired of the hospital and ready to be home. Don also asks that you pray for Caffy, especially now that Don's mom has returned to her own home. (It was a great blessing that she was availbale to help out and to be with Caffy during surgery and after.) Also, please pray for Don's witness to the medical personnel. Posted Tuesday evening, December 27, 2005 Don had an easier night last night. He wants to thank everyone who has been praying, as he drew much comfort from knowing that God's people were praying for him even when he was in too much pain to be praying himself. Today is the eighth day of what Don had hoped would be a seven-day hospital stay. He is still in pain and not recovering as quickly as he had hoped. Please continue to pray that Don's colon will become fully functional so that he might go home. Don had a CAT scan today to check on the hematoma near the connection the surgeon made in the colon, but as of this writing the results aren't back. Please pray that this issue will be resolved without further medical intervention. Posted Monday evening, December 26, 2005 Don had his worst night so far last night, with horrible pain, muscle spasms and sleeplessness. There was some confusion about Don's pain medication (which has been worked out) but as of today he is still in a great deal of pain, nauseous and discouraged. Because of the holiday, Don's CAT scan has been postponed until tomorrow. Don's been in the hospital seven days and will be in at least one or two more, which is very discouraging for him. Please pray that Don will have relief from pain, a good night's sleep and that his colon will prove fully functional so that he can go home. Please note that Don has been moved to a new room today, so check with the desk for his current room number before you call or visit. Posted Sunday evening, December 25, 2005 Today Don meditated on the great gift God gave us in the incarnation, and how Jesus came to deliver us from consequences of sin, like cancer, pain and death. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift of grace in Jesus Christ! Please remember to be in prayer that Don's CAT scan tomorrow will show the pool of blood near the connection in the colon has been absorbed. Also, please pray that God will grant Don a good night's sleep, pain relief, and that his colon will prove to be fully funtional so that he can be released from the hospital. Don's physical pain has increased since the IV was removed Saturday, and being in the hospital over the holiday and through Laurelen's birthday has been emotionally draining. Pray that the doctor will release Don at just the right time, and that God will be glorified through the remainder of Don's hospital stay. Posted Saturday, December 24, 2005 More good news this Christmas Eve; Don has had all the tubes removed, is free of fever and rested well last night (except for being wakened every hour by the nursing staff). The only remaining concern is the pool of blood near the connection in the colon (see details in the entry below). Don should be home from the hospital Monday or Tuesday next week. Don's family will celebrate Christmas with him in the hospital after church tomorrow. Posted Friday afternoon, December 23, 2005 The CAT scan results are back and have confirmed that Don has no leak in the connection the surgeon made in the colon. More good news (and perhaps more than you needed to know) is that the colon is again performing the function for which it was intended. The CAT scan did reveal a pool of blood near the site of the connection. This may be absorbed naturally by Don's body, but if not, it will have to be drained with a needle to prevent infection. Please pray that further proceedures will not be needed, and that the next CAT scan (scheduled for Monday) will show that the excess blood has been absorbed. Posted Friday morning, December 23, 2005 More good news from a phone conversation today - the doctors removed the tube from Don's stomach, which was a great blessing. A third CAT scan is scheduled for later today. If this one shows no leaking, the doctor should declare Don "over the hump" in recovery and past danger of serious complications. Don asks for prayers that he'd be a faithful witness, that he'd have no nausea as he begins to eat again (after nothing but ice chips since Sunday), that the CAT scan would show no leaking, and that the other tubes he's hooked up to would be removed soon. Posted Thursday evening, December 22, 2005 Don called today with good news and bad news. On one hand, he is up and walking and needs very little pain medication. The doctor said Don was "ahead of the curve" in his recovery. Don also said that the lymph nodes taken in surgery tested negative for cancer, which is wonderful news. The bad news is that an x-ray taken earlier today showed a gas bubble in Don's abdomen. This could be a by-product of surgery and nothing to worry about, or it could indicate a leak in the connection the surgeon made in the colon. Don is also running a low fever, which might indicate infection. After a second x-ray and a CAT scan, the surgeon did not see that a second surgery is needed at this time, but gave no assurance it would not be in the near future. If he does find it necessary, it would mean at least a temporary colostomy and additional recovery time. Please continue to pray for Don's recovery, and especially that the connection in the colon heals completely and that God would guard Don against infection. Posted Tuesday morning, December 20, 2005 If you did not see last night's update, please note that the surgery has been rescheduled for today (Tuesday the 20th) at 2:00 eastern time, at Norton Audubon Hospital (One Audubon Plaza Drive, Louisville, KY 40217). What is new is that I have learned that the surgery will take from two to four hours. Also, Caffy had to have a root canal done yesterday. It had been postponed from a week ago due to the beginning of the things culminating in today's surgery. Finally, she could put it off no longer. But she did not sleep well or long last night, and is some pain today. She will need great grace to get through this day and the next, especially. My mother, is coughing a great deal and about to lose her voice. Pray for her, and also that I will not catch it. A persistent cough and abdominal surgery are not a good pair. This will likely be my last personally-prepared post for several days. Do remember the specific prayer requests above and especially those at the bottom of this page. "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:2-3). Don Posted Monday evening, December 19, 2005 It's Monday night as I write. I trust that the Lord guided the surgeon to make the right decision, but I must admit to being very disappointed. This evening the surgeon concluded that the best procedure would be to continue with removal of a section of the colon. Despite the report from the gastroenterologist that the tumor has not invaded the muscle wall of the colon, the surgeon has enough reservations resulting from the CAT scan to the contrary that he believes the safest path is to go in through the abdomen and remove part of the colon. Another ultrasound today did confirm that some spots on the liver and kidneys found by the CAT scan were common cysts and not cancerous. So while it appears that the cancer may have spread to the colon wall, it does not seem to have spread beyond that. Obviously, that is very good news. The surgeon told me to expect to stay seven full days in the hospital. After excitedly thinking a few hours ago that I might only have a procedure requiring no incision and merely an overnight stay, the somewhat unexpected return to prepare for major surgery, colon removal, and seven days in the hospital is an emotional setback. But I want to accept the will of God and be satisfied with Him and His providence. The surgeon says that the biggest concerns now are leaks (5% probability) and infection (10% probability). So please pray that these will not occur. Finally, take note that the surgery has been moved to 2:00 eastern time tomorrow (Tuesday) instead of 4:00. Once again, the list of specific prayer requests is at the very bottom of this page. Psalm 119:91, "For all things are Your servants." Don Whitney Posted Monday afternoon, December 19, 2005 I've returned from the big diagnostic test today. It was an endoscopic ultrasound. From the recipient's perspective, there's not a nickel's worth of difference between it and a colonoscopy. Instead of merely a camera, the instrument also contains ultrasound equipment. The purpose of this test was to determine the extent to which the cancer from the polyp had penetrated the muscle. Instead of the cocktail of Demerol, Versed, and Valium, I opted to endure the procedure without drugs. It wasn't the most pleasant half-hour of my life, but it was wonderful to be without the effects of sedation for the rest of the day. It also enabled me to watch on the monitor, to ask questions, and most of all, to actually comprehend and remember what the doctor said. He was more positive than the surgeon has been. He also gave us what is potentially some of the best news since last Wednesday. He concluded that the tumor has not expanded from the very large polyp into the muscle wall of the colon. If he is correct, this means that a colon resection is not necessary. Now the decision is in the hands of the surgeon. He must choose between the report of last Wednesday's CAT scan which indicated that the cancer IS in the muscle of the colon and the report of today's ultrasound which indicates that it is NOT. In our favor is the fact that the ultrasound is reportedly the more precise of the two on this point. The CAT scan was looking for the spread of the cancer in a more general sense, while the ultrasound focused more precisely on the affected area in the colon. If it is not necessary to remove part of the colon, then it will not be necessary to go in through the abdomen, cut through muscle, etc. While a type of surgery will still be necessary, it should require only one night in the hospital instead of four-to-seven. So while we want the doctor to make the right decision, please join us in praying that the right decision will also be the less-invasive, less-risky path. I believe we have received this good news because of the precious prayers of God's people. Thanks again to all those who have expressed their concerns and promises to pray. Please continue to pray. "The fear of the Lord leads to life, and whoever has it rests satisfied" (Prov. 19:23, ESV). Don Whitney Posted Monday, December 19, 2005 Dear Praying Brothers & Sisters, I am grateful for the Lord's enablement to keep a commitment to preach for a friend in Richmond this Lord's Day morning. I still feel fine. My friend had asked for my title and text more than a week ago. I told him I planned to preach on Matt. 2:16-18 about Herod's slaughter of the infants. The title was "Tears at Christmas," and the introduction was about those for whom Christmas is a very sad time. Then the message addressed the sadness associated with the first Christmas. Little did I know eight days ago—but God knew—that there would be sadness and tears in our own home this Christmas season. But as Jesus was the light and hope of the world at that first Christmas, so He is today and evermore. THANK YOU for the many messages of concern, encouragement, and especially the promises of continuing prayer. I haven't been able to respond to many, for as you can imagine, things have suddenly become extra busy as I prepare for a week or so where I won't be able to keep up with "life maintenance" (paying bills, etc.). Nevertheless, I wanted to express my gratitude for and dependance upon your sincere prayers. First thing on Monday morning (Dec. 19), Caffy is to take me to downtown Louisville where I'm to undergo an internal ultrasound (very similar overall to a colonoscopy) designed to more clearly determine the extent of the cancer. The worst part of this is anesthesia for an hour or more, and its effects upon the rest of the day. While I'm in preparation at the hospital for all this, Caffy has to endure a root canal that she postponed last week, but can be postponed no longer. Please remember the bullet-point prayer requests from the newsletter sent out Sunday afternoon. The text of that is below. By His grace and for His glory, Don Posted Sunday, December 18, 2005 I HAVE CANCER. | ||