Maggie was admitted to the Oncology floor at UAB this afternoon after a 19 hour wait in the ER. This is what happened and what we know now. After the half-successful procedure yesterday, we returned to the Residence Inn for a night of rest before returning home. After dinner, Maggie started running fever. We checked it periodically until it peaked at 101.7. We drove to the ER and landed in an exam room for quite some time. A CT scan showed an inflamed gall bladder. It’s not certain exactly why it is inflamed. In one sense (according to those who read these things), it looks like anybody’s gall bladder going bad and needing to be removed. On the other hand, it’s reasonable to assume some aspect of the last procedure(s) may have irritated it. We’re hoping to know more as her blood counts are monitored throughout the weekend, and her medical team returns to work Monday. (Full disclosure: We were encouraged last week by Dr. Saleh -oncologist- to move the Friday IR procedure to Monday for this exact reason. Complications requiring hospitalization on the weekend will involve a lot of “waiting” time for the attending physicians to resume control Monday morning. We made the decision to keep the Friday appointment in an effort to keep from canceling vacation plans.) We are not on hold, however. Maggie is being given strong antibiotics around the clock in hopes of calming the unsettled gall bladder. It is extremely important for us to avoid surgery. Surgery will cause an interruption in scheduled antibody therapy (Panitumumab) needed to shrink the tumor putting pressure on the bile duct causing all complications the past few weeks. In a nutshell: we have to get present liver and gall bladder issues under control in order to allow chemotherapy to shrink the tumor currently pressing on the bile duct resulting in the liver issues. The ultimate goal of a new clinical trial (here or at MDA) depends on a functioning liver. Sounds complicated? It does to us. To our God? Simplicity written into His plan for Maggie. We’ll trust Him to make a way for us to embrace His healing.
Our stay in the ER gave us an opportunity to thank several people involved in saving Maggie two weeks ago. Jonathan, the lead EMT, was in the ER last night. Phil had a chance to meet him, and he had a reunion with Maggie (and we took a picture to be shared later). We also spoke with Kelly – Maggie’s nurse on that faithful night. I will NEVER forget the image of her standing over Maggie and as calmly as if she were squeezing lemons for lemonade, pumping life-saving blood into her body. We were forever touched by her brief presence in our lives. What we had the blessing to learn last night is that she was touched too. She checked out Leaf by Leaf and even made a donation to Maggie to go Over the Edge. How incredible is that? Our ER nurse last night, Meagan, was another hero. Without prompting or complaints from me, she scratched up a recliner (NOT standard issue in ER rooms), pillows and blankets for me to sleep by Maggie in the wee hours of the morning – in what seems like forever ago but is still a piece of today. I also had a visit from my precious Laurel-native friend DeAnn Boutwell – “coincidentally” visiting Samford this weekend with her HS senior daughter, Sydney. She delivered goodies and hugs exactly when we needed them.
And as if our Lord had not tied up enough loose ends in our lives already, He gift-wrapped a few more tonight. We pulled the plug on our vacation to Disney. It was heart-breaking to see Maggie come to grips with the necessity to do this. Yes, we’ve done Disney plenty of times. But, we never underestimate the power these escapes from reality have played in her well-being. We’ll continue to move heaven and earth to share special family moments. It became abundantly clear (even if it took as a while to get the message) this one needs to wait until she’s a little stronger. I was able to delay reservations at Disney and cancel flights with full refunds. Delta came through, again. Fly Delta! We’re feeling much more at peace knowing the priority will be on healing and rest.
We’re getting ready for bed. Maggie is in zero pain and is in good spirits. Not cracking jokes yet, but I expect those tomorrow. Thank you for praying and expressing concern with few details given. We’ll pass on the details as they are given to us. A friend from HS shared a brief video testimony from Joni E. Tada with me. The message was exactly the one needed in this moment. We love to have all the pieces of our lives to fit together into a complete picture. No missing jigsaw pieces. But God never promises us that. In fact, He promises to hide as many of them as necessary to bring about something more important. Please, don’t let me miss Your Picture, Lord, spending time looking for lost pieces of something far less. Amen.
Praying for sweet rest and healing, friends! All my love, Fondra
I’m praying so hard! So glad Maggs is feeling a little better! I’m waiting on the jokes! I love y’all, know you are weary and ready for home! ?
Hugs from home…and praying for all the “pieces” you listed of Maggie’s next steps….
Praying for God’s peace to continue to settle over each of you! Asking for God”s healing touch and wisdom. Continue to look for and find HIM in the little things! He is faithful!! Hugs!!
I will continue to pray for you all. Hang in there!??
God have Mercy
Thank you for your words that always points to the faithfulness of Our Savior! Love you guys??
I agree with Donna Grayson! Your posts always remind me of the faithfulness of our Father and in the middle of disappointment or uncertainty, He has THE plan. May He continue to bless you….
The Hanberry family continues to bless me as I ask God’s blessings on them. What a testimony of faith you continue to show in this stormy time in your life. I thank you for the updates, so my prayers can be specific as to your needs. As well as my unending prayers, I send much love and bear hugs for you all. May God’s grace abound in the Hanberry family.
Thank you for your update I on sweet Maggie. Prayers for you and phil and Maggie every moment of the day. May God be with you. Beckie Berthelot’-Risk
Continuing to pray for Maggie and y’all. Your faith through this most difficult time is inspiring others. Please know there are people you don’t even know personally praying and thinking of y’all often. May God’s peace surround you.
We are praying for Maggie and also the rest of the family as you all attend to her needs.
Continued prayers for your sweet family.
Praying for Maggie and all of you! Your faith is so inspiring! God is good! Let his presence always give you strength!
Continued prayers for Maggie and thankfulness for your family’s continued strength and faith through this difficult time. I know y’all are an active testimony to all those around you 🙂
I know you all are exhausted. I am praying for Maggie and you all as her parents. May God help with the complications and put this on course for the Chemo. Asking God for Miracles by the Minute.
Thanking for sharing. Learning so much from your journey. Praying for y’all.
Melissa, you, Maggie and Phil remain in our prayers. Prayers for much needed rest for all.
Thank you for your posts that not only update but inspire. Praying for Maggie’s comfort and healing and for God to cover Maggie and her family in His perfect peace, as you rest in His perfect timing.
God is sufficient to meet all our needs!!! Continued thoughts and prayers for your family from ours!!!
Maggie & her sweet family remain in our prayers! Thanks for updates; she’ll be ready for Disney Wirld when she’s stronger
Praying here in Pontotoc! Love to you all!
Praying!!
Praying for you all. Prayers for healing and comfort. ??❤️????❤️????❤️?? Sending love your way.
Prayers for precious Maggie. May God meet your every need.
Prayers for you sweet niece, her family and those caring for her.