an update.

I just got a text from Mike's sister that said "if you are awake, we are ready for an update." It was just the boost I needed because while Mike is stable and healing, I feel weak on many levels and could have stayed crying in bed in a rumpled bathrobe. Last night was hard. Knowing Mike will be on the breathing tube for a couple days is hard... and I miss him. You might have thought "wow... that Karen has really been a tower of strength"... not right now. But I can tell that I am about ready to stand back up again, Lord willing. First, thank you for reading this. It really blesses us, And it helps me collect my thoughts. I NEED IT to focus on the doctor's sound and encouraging words. I talked with Dr. Haughey again around 1pm. "He's fine. His vitals are spot on." Like I said, last night at about 1:45am they put a breathing tube in to help stop the bleeding of Mike's tonsil area (where he had his cancer mass removed yesterday). They do this so that they can pack the tonsil area around the breathing tube to put the needed pressure on the wound. When it is venous bleeding like this, it needs pressure on the area. Dr. Haughey reminded me that I need to remember that this is not the usual reason for being on a ventilator. Mike can breathe on his own, but they don't want him too so that they can keep his breathing controlled and they need him to be sedated or he would not be able to tolerate the tube or the packing. It was good to hear that there is no active bleeding since the packing / pressure was put on. I have been reminded that it is not uncommon for people to have breathing tubes in for a few days for these delicate kinds of throat surgery. In fact, we kind of thought that Mike would come out of surgery with a breathing tube in (but didn't because he bled very little during surgery.) Another thing that Dr. Haughey said was that this is "just a hiccup - and will not affect any of the final outcome or anything he did yesterday". Good to know. Dr. Haughey's plan is to ease the packing out tomorrow morning (Thursday) and take the breathing tube out on Friday. I am also playing Janice's words through my mind and I will share them with you: The main goal of the surgery was accomplished. This is a hiccup in the recovery. Mike is a healthy guy, and this is the best way for the healing to start. He is on the path to recovery. Please pray for rapid healing and comfort for Mike. Please pray that I will know how to care for him and comfort him in this situation. And pray that he feels the Lord's presence and your presence through your prayers. I hate not having Mike here to be with and communicate with... but I have to remember that we have a chance to communicate on another level the next couple days. I want to do this well and I don't know how. Lord, help me.