We’re at UAB. It’s hard to stop an unfolding story long enough to get word out, and, because much has happened, this update may be long and disjointed (not helped by my lack of sleep). I’ll start with Maggie’s condition right now: she’s fine and in transition from an overnight stay in ICU to a regular room.

Yesterday we heard the results of the CT scan. The new tumor activity revealed on her March scan was confirmed. The scan also showed the result of her current liver enzyme/jaundice issue. The tumor is pressing on her bile duct causing obstruction. In consultation with Dr. Saleh, we opted to remain here at UAB for a “routine” endoscopic procedure to place a stent in the obstructed duct. This was performed late yesterday afternoon. The GI doc performing it discussed all possible complications. He was not successful in placing the stent but made a pre-cut in the area to allow insertion during another attempt after several days. We left around 7:00 and returned to the hotel to rest (and stay close within a half mile – just in case;) with plans to go home the next morning. We weren’t settled in before Maggie began to throw up significant amounts of blood while passing more blood through her bottom. We quickly aborted plans to drive to the ER and opted to call an ambulance. She was stabilized with four units of blood and taken to Interventional Radiology to have the artery feeding the bleeding area closed. This bleeding was one of those rare complications discussed and can be attributed in part to the cancer-compromised condition of the liver/abdominal tissue.

She is resting well and is much perkier today than last night, although I must say, she never lost control/awareness/alertness/ or her cool. She’s my hero. And I might add, able to deliver a funny line under extreme duress. This conversation occurred in the ER:

Doctor: Do you know where you are?
Maggie: Yes. The ER at UAB.
Doctor: Do you know your name?
Maggie: Margaret Hanberry.
Doctor: Do you know what month it is?
Maggie: April.
Doctor: Do you know who the president is?
Maggie: (With annoyance creeping into her voice) The president?
Doctor: Yes. The president of the United States.
Maggie: (Clearly annoyed) Donald Trump. As weird as that is.

Back to the update…

We will be here for several days. Doctors are discussing the best approach to getting a stent into the bile duct. That procedure will not be performed today – she needs rest and nourishment. I will update again with more definite plans when we have them. As you can imagine, I left out many of the details. I haven’t had much processing time. It was a frightening night, but we were never unaware of God’s all comforting presence. The EMT’s and UAB staff – ER, IR, ICU, our Phase I team are incredible. Watching the drama in the ER was eerily like watching TV and playing a part at the same time – in a script all too real. We felt prayers even when we knew the specifics were unknown to most. Thank you for doing your unfailing part to keep us ever before the throne.