During rounds this morning with the oncology team, we were given a surprise: Discharge. We are now home. Maggie’s liver enzymes continue their descent. The last hurdle was crossed when Maggie ate lunch and tolerated it well. So, around 2:00 pm we returned home. The theory is still a temporary kink or obstruction. Whatever the cause of the distress, it has resolved with no more treatment than fluids, antibiotics, rest, and good company. It really did have the feel of “Old Home Week” once Maggie was on her way to recovery. God’s mercies were everywhere – as they always are – seemingly in over-abundance because we needed them.

It started early Sunday morning as Maggie and I were in a deep sleep after a full evening in the ER and late admission to the 3C. Maggie’s surgeon, Dr. Berch, was passing down the hall and happened to see her name on the door – he had not been called in to consult yet. We saved oncology a call to him later and “hired” him on the spot to take on her case. We had offered a silent prayer Saturday night that he would be the surgeon on call this weekend. He has a gift for putting us at ease and track record of being used by God for healing. Once he looked at tests and scans, he was able to reassure us we had done the right thing in coming to the ER but would not be facing surgical intervention or another procedure to troubleshoot the stent.

Nurses. Have we mentioned how much we love nurses? (God does special work through them – we’ve found this to be the case at Batson and UAB. We’ve had limited interaction with them at MDA, but we’re sure we’ll find special ones there as well). They can make or break a stay in the hospital. Maggie was surrounded by familiar faces involved in her care this weekend. I can honestly say we ENJOYED visiting with them despite the circumstances. Hannah, one of her favorites from the chemo admission days, left Batson for another position last year but made a special trip to come see her on her lunch break.

When the oncology team visited this morning we were all in a good mood. Getting discharged will do that. We were filling them in on our plans to travel to MD Anderson this week. Phil mentioned how we love to spot gators as we drive between Baton Rouge and Lake Charles (Try it sometime. It’s fun.) I added how I look forward to the “Boudin and Cracklins” billboards. The oncology resident is a Louisiana native and explained the exact nature of Boudin and cracklins to his colleagues which really sounds worse than anything you might see in the pathology department.

Friends. We were surrounded by their presence with offers of help and assurance of prayers. We can’t imagine this road without them. Without each of you. We had a visit this morning from a friend I met providentially when our mutual love of Batson joined our paths (cancer and heart defect) into one cause – mutual support and prayer. Carrie gives us one more really good excuse for lunch in Jackson soon to continue our friendship.

We’re anticipating a return to MDA this week – most likely Wednesday. We’ve not heard from them since the biopsy last week. I’ve sent a message with an update of Maggie’s status and expect a response in the morning with more details regarding the timing of treatment. We’ll update once our plans are firm.

Thank you for prayers and encouragement through this latest complication. We’re thankful it was short in duration and should not derail the clinical trial. The stent is a temporary fix – subject to the risk of disfunction. We need successful targeted/chemo therapy to shrink the lymph node/tumor, restoring reliable liver function. As we praise God for His continuing care for Maggie, we are praying specifically for effective treatment.