Blake's surgery

For those who haven't heard. Blake has Ulcerative Colitis and had a really bad flare that included a week stay at the hospital, TPN (nutrition through a picc line to give his bowel's rest), and 2 (+) months of being really sick. He had to have his colon removed and this surgery will be one of three surgeries over the course of this year.
Dear Family and Friends, Blake is now home. He was discharged Monday. The doctors and nurses were surprised at his recovery! Two days after his surgery I overheard the nurses saying how fast Blake was recovering. Then the doctor said, yeah, almost too fast. Only we know why he has done so well ;) It’s all your prayers, love and concern. It’s been comforting and humbling to hear from so many of you that have been praying for his health and our well-being. It’s also been neat to hear how many of you have placed our names in the temple all over the country—THANK YOU! We both have been strengthened from your prayers. I’ve been blessed with the faith that Blake is going to be okay and that Heavenly Father will not give us more then we can handle. We have felt so at peace during all of this and have felt like our burdens are light. We are counting our blessings and thankful for the many tender mercies Heavenly Father has blessed us with. The program director of Blake’s Orthopaedic Residency Program has been nothing but understanding and generous. He has assured us that Blake will not have to make up any time in his residency and that he can take off as much time as he needs. With Blake being gone the other residents have had to work more, picking up more call and such, but they have been so generous and understanding. Speaking for all the residents, one of his colleges said, “Blake, we have your back!” We feel so blessed that Blake works with such good men.
This past month Blake has also been working with a doctor that ironically (well I call it a tender mercy) has Crohn’s Disease. Like Ulcerative Colitis (what Blake has) it is an inflammatory bowel disease, only it can’t be cured with surgery like Ulcerative Colitis can because it affects both the large and small intestine. This doctor has been on all the medications Blake has been on and has had some bad flares over the years. It has been such a blessing for Blake to work with someone that has complete empathy for what he has been going through. His understanding and experience with his disease has given Blake comfort and a stronger confirmation that surgery was what he was supposed to do.
Recently our ward (church congregation) boundaries were realigned so our meetings weren’t so full. Because of this, a new bishop was called to preside over our ward. I had heard at one time that he had had some sort of bowel surgery, but my sources were never confirmed. The Sunday before Blake’s surgery, Blake was called into the bishop’s office to get a new calling (he’ll be working with the 11 year old boy scouts). During his visit, Blake found out that the bishop has Ulcerative Colitis too and had had his whole colon taken out 4 years earlier. Only the bishop had had the disease for 18 years and parts of his colon had turned cancerous. It was such a comfort to talk to someone that had had the same surgery and to see that he was okay and that he was living a very normal life. Yet another tender mercy!!
Blake’s dad Chuck arranged for me to stay at a hotel during our stay in Abilene where Blake got surgery. Blake’s dad arrived in Abilene on Thursday night and was there until early Monday morning. It was a comfort to have him there especially when Blake was getting his surgery. It was nice to have someone to talk with to distract me from the thought of my husband being cut up a few floors up. Lanaea, Blake’s dad, and I hung out with Blake during the day in his hospital room during his recovery. Lanaea was an angel!! Monday when I arrived at his room I was surprised at the news that Blake could go home. We’re happy to be home! Blake’s Mom has been here with the girls and will leave to fly back home to Utah on Thursday. We’re happy she’s here. Blake continues to improve and is doing great. Heavenly Father has blessed him with amazing faith and knowledge that whatever happens to him is according to God’s plan for him and it is for his good.

Love, Cami