Update!!

Joe has just received his first glass of "ice water" ...it was so.....good!!! Doctor just came in & said he could eat.. It is an infection, not chyle. Joe has to have another CT Scan Monday to see if the infection has gone away enough to satisfy Dr Mehran, if not he will have to have another surgery (with a scope) to clean out his left chest cavity. Well, I've just ordered his first meal:
Pot roast, cream potatoes with brown gravy, green peas, dinner roll, & unsweetened tea. For dessert a scoop of fat free sugar free vanilla ice cream. He got cold after the ice water & I had to adjust the thermostat. Hoping & praying the infection will all go away so he won't require surgery. So glad he can eat...Praise the LORD!! Joe & Sandra

Joe had his barrium swallow yesterday...the good news...no leaks...the bad news..Dr Mehran said he knew why Joe wasn't breathing well..He had about 2 liters of fluid around his left lung. He said they would drain it with a needle & we could come home when Joe was feeling like it.. They went in to drain & color of fluid was wrong...they had to put in drainage tube..Joe went into a-fib again..white count was up...they came out & said he had to be put back into hospital. So...here we are....He came out of a-fib around 3:30 this morning..has been vomiting & running some fever...we were so disappointed. Doctor still won't let Joe eat anything. Said he could have a few ice chips. They even took the food from the feeding tube away until they completely rule out something called a "chyle" (kile) leak. They are leaning toward thinking it's infection of some kind. They won't know for sure until they get the latest results from the lab. Will keep you all posted....Please keep us in your prayers....Joe & Sandra

Joe has had another rough day (I'm sorry it sounds like complaining). He's vomited several times today and has still been quite depressed. He thinks his strength isn't coming back quickly enough. After walking from the hotel lobby (in the heat) and taking a shower this afternoon..his heart started beating about 130 times a minute...but it lasted for only about 2 hours...then went back into rhythm. Tomorrow is the day..the barrium swallow...pray that all will be well....
Joe & Sandra

Hello again..Joe & I have been a bit depressed today...Joe has been throwing up ...& these walls seem to be closing in..BUT..only 2 more days until the barrium swallow. Please pray that all will go well..Joe & Sandra

We had another pretty good night...today has been good as well. So far ...absolutely no fever to fight...Isn't that wonderful...the old devil seems to be sitting on my shoulder saying...,"you better not brag too quick". Joe is still really weak..but I think each day is a little better. Missing you all so bad...Joe & Sandra

We had a pretty good night & today has been ok as well. Joe started running fever around 4:00pm, but it's almost back to normal now. Only 6 days to go until the barrium swallow...& hopefully "real food". Keep praying for us....Joe & Sandra

We had a good night and so far today is much better. Joe asked for his "jeans" again...so he's wanting to walk. We love & miss you all....Joe & Sandra

Good Evening,
We've had a rough night. Joe started out with fever, then started hurting in his left shoulder. The pain then moved into his chest & stayed for the longest. Around 11:00am this morning he vomited & the pain let up. Just tired today....expecting tonight & tomorrow to be better....We're ready to find a rainbow......Joe & Sandra

Joe fought fever most of the day Sunday, but today has been better. We slept a little late. Joe had to rest between shaving & showering, but that was ok. He asked for his "jeans" this morning instead of pajama pants. When I got back from a late lunch, he had been outside walking a little. He said he was going to rest a while, then go for another. He is counting down the days until his barrium swallow & "real food". Well, he's just woke up and said, "I'm gonna walk around the building this time.".......so here we go........Love you all.....Joe & Sandra

Joe & I both had a good night...slept well...feel like humans today. Joe was able to shower & shave. His swelling has gone down in his arms & hands..feet & legs...I told him his knobby knees were back. We're just trying to hang in there until his swallow test. We're missing you all....SO BAD.....Joe & Sandra 5:00pm UPDATE! Please pray for Joe, his fever is coming up..............

Thank you all for checking on us. We are going to see the Doctor tomorrow, so maybe I can give better info afterwards. Joe is having pretty fair days, but rough nights. He still can't eat or drink. All food & meds are given thru J-tube. He's really looking forward to drinking a glass of ice-water. He has stayed more comfortable today with less meds. Just hoping tonight will be better as well. Of the 20 nodes taken out during surgery, none had cancer in them. Thank God...Please keep us in your prayers. Joe & Sandra

Tuesday-Noon

Joe went in a-fib again this morning..but they are still planning on sending us home tomorrow. (I think) sugar is up as well, and going to be on oxygen...this really worries me. They still say its going to be three weeks before we see Dr Mehran, 3 wks from the time we leave the hospital that is . Don't really know what to do. Wish the Lord would help us to know.
Joe does not have pneumonia, but lungs are not fully expanding in the lower lobes. They gave him more cardizem to stop a-fib ..heart beats are in the 90's but still irregular.
Sandra @12:55pm (message to SM, copied)

Since Surgery

Well I hope that I remember everything right...
I think it was Wednesday night after Joe finished a breathing treatment that his heart went out of rhythm and suddenly was beating over 200 bpm. This was very traumatic and hard on his body but with meds given for this(these episodes happen sometimes following this surgery)he was finally stable again by the next day. He then began to rest better and be more like himself and on Friday all the tubes were removed except for one epidural and the oxygen. Of course he has the feeding tube which will remain for maybe 2 months until they are sure he can safely eat again.
On Sat. Joe had a period of time with a slow heart rate that required some med changes.
Joe has had a fever and they are very concerned that he doesn't get pneumonia so on Sunday they did some tests. A drainage tube was inserted into one lung that was collecting fluid. This lung has not expanded since surgery hence the fluid and tube. After all this on Sunday, Joe's heart went out of rhythm again, which was another really stressful time for BOTH of them. However at 10:30pm it was some better (97-103 bpm) and he was resting....THANK THE LORD!
They are thankful for and still asking for your continued prayers,
Love from the Bynums
by Sherry