."Everything on earth has its own time and own season". Eccleiastes 3:1By Barbara Margo (
https://www.caringbridge.org/profile/30704684) — 1 hour ago
Every time Duke and I have thought we had life figured out and knew "our path" in life, God has smiled, shook His head and said "Hmmm...not quite what I had planned for you at this time". God`s schedule and timeline are definitely not how we have envisioned our lives. As most are aware, Duke has been the gamut; cancers are at bay, and he was so close to returning to the job he loves. One morning I was helping clean his minuscule wound when I saw his wound had begun to open and I`m looking straight on at one of the holes in the plate in his jaw. My heart sank as I knew we were in for another siege. Sometimes knowledge isn`t all it`s cracked up to be...exposed plate and bone is always a nasty omen. To shorten a very long story, we saw the surgeons in Gainesville and we are headed for yet another reconstruction of Duke`s jaw Monday May 16th. The pre op work is complete; scans are viewed, the Operating Room is open for Duke for 14 hours if needed and I have a room in Gainesville slated for a 2 week stay. Would I change the world If I could ?? In a heartbeat...this man does not deserve to experience a reconstruction of any kind again...trach, feeding tube, skin grafts, possible bone removal from his forearm, and more tissue and vascular reconstruction to finally, by the grace of God, finalize this nightmare and let Duke heal once and for all.
Perhaps the most severe side effect of radiation therapy is osteoradionecrosis (ORN), or bone death. This condition occurs in three to ten percent of patients. Osteoradionecrosis develops as irradiation diminishes the bone's ability to withstand trauma and avoid infection. One has to wonder how the cure can be so devastating to such a horrible word...cancer. Yet here we are...the plate will be removed, the dead bone will be excised and the new graft placed. The decision to replace bone along with a new plate will be decided during surgery; this is where we pray God`s hands will guide the surgeons as well as aide them in making the right decisions. As Duke says " It`s out of our hands; we are following God`s plan and placing our complete trust in His judgement".
As always we are grateful for the love and support from our wonderful family, friends and colleagues. We would be two barren souls without each and every one of you. Duke`s motto is "faith, family and friends"...it has sustained us through some of the darkest of hours when we didn`t have the energy to pick our heads up or think clearly. We are eternally thankful for all that has been done for us...there are no words to convey how we feel other than "Thank you".
I will do the best I can to keep the journal updated as we move forward in what Duke describes as " another adventure". I love hearing from all of you as it lifts a very weary soul and warms my heart. Your words of encouragement and prayers are paramount to our survival through these trying times.
I have posted some pictures of family...just to give you an idea of the smiles and joy they all bring.
So by the grace of God we are off on yet another journey...
Barb
