Journal entry by Amber LaChappelle —
Hello family and friends. Gall bladder removal has been something that had been marked on my calendar for a very long time. If you don’t remember, a gall stone is what started this whole issue in the first place. A gall stone became lodged at the pancreatic duct and became a raging infection which in turn led to necrotizing hemorrhagic pancreatitis. It’s been a very long journey over these past 15 months but I’m so blessed and thankful that I have finally arrived at this point. Two weeks ago my surgical team at St. Luke’s Medical Center planned on removing my gall bladder robotically but unfortunately that wasn’t to be. They ended up performing an old fashioned open cholecystectomy. I was disappointed but still glad that it was out. It just meant that recovery would be longer. I responded fairly well and was cruising along at the hospital with a discharge in sight until an infection set in. That kept me in the hospital longer and meant some uncomfortable wound care twice daily. Fast forward until today and there has been some good progress. I just finished up my antibiotics and continue to change dressings and repack the open areas of the wound twice daily. I’ll meet with the surgical staff again this coming Monday with hopes that they will close up the wound and healing can continue.
Some other good news is that my doctors allowed me to stop my tube feeding. I can’t tell you how thrilled I was when I heard that. I’ve had this tube in me for just about the entire 15 months and I’m so sick of it. I am thankful for it because it has kept me nourished and alive this whole time but I’m ready for it to go. The surgeon is planning to remove the tube this coming Monday as long as my weight remains stable. I still have zero appetite and I’m told that part of that is due to the surgery and partly due to not eating for a year. I eat for taste these days and so I can remain off of the feeding tube.
Overall I struggle in many ways and sometimes wonder if I’ll ever return to what I was like prior to my illness. My doctor told me this week that it could take upwards of a year yet to fully recover from much of what I struggle with. Please continue to pray for full recovery. My comprehension, mental processing, and memory continue to be a huge struggle. Nerve issues including balance, falling and pain remain as well. Constant pain throughout my body has become something that I just deal with daily and seek professional help for back, neck and head pain.
Please pray for my family, especially my wife Sherrie. She has been through so much already and I honestly don’t know how she does it. No complaints ever and she even puts my socks on for me(she hates feet). She has pain of her own that she is dealing with and will have both knees replaced on 1/23/23 so please keep that in your prayers.
Even in the midst of many tough things, there are good things and many reasons to celebrate. None more important than the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I wouldn’t be writing this today without my faith in him and the comfort/peace he has provided. Celebrate with your loved ones this Christmas and let them know how much you love them. I love you all and thank you for all that you’ve done for me and my family.
Merry Christmas.
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