a productive Saturday

It is hard to believe it is Saturday today.  It doesn't seem possible that tomorrow starts another week, and this week being the week of Thanksgiving.  We have so much to be thankful for and I am reminded of that daily.  Some would think that in the hospital you are reminded of all the suffering and sadness, but I can say it is also a place of Hope.  We have shared smiles and joy with so many, and I am thankful for that.  For people being able to come into a room and be cheered up instead of the down side of being here.  Kasi and I usually have people laughing or at least smiling when they leave which is a gift for them.  And believe me we are being filled with laughter too by some people who work here and share their gift with us.  And example of the joy Kasi shares, she was taken on a stretcher to have a ultrasound of her kidneys and on the way back the transport guy said to her, "if you keep that smile on your face you know it will stay that way" as he smiled and laughed down the hall.  He noticed that it was already stuck.  Kasi smiles at everyone as they come into the room.  It is great to see.
We learned a little bit about what is going on inside her today.  Her surgeon came down to talk to us and he thinks they have everything figured out now about why she can't eat.  They put her on NPO because it is looking like her pancreas is inflamed.  It is also called pancreatitus.  The way that they treat this is no food or drink and they are adding fluids through her IV to try and flush this out.  One thing we also learned it that it takes a long time to get over.  We are already 2 weeks into this, but it sometimes takes a month to heal and that is with the "normal" surgery like she didn't have.  Yep, I said didn't have, Kasi's surgery was of course more extensive than that "normal" so we are not sure how long with will take.  We do know that she is getting her minimal substance through her TPN to keep her healthy, but not to get her healthy.  She is low on her hemoglobin which causes her to be really tired fast.  That will not improve until she gets to eating real foods. 
Our outlook looks like this.  I is not probable that we get out of here by Thanksgiving.  I am hoping we are able to get a 4 hour pass and get out of here for a bit.  If that is the case, I am thinking we will invite ourselves to my cousins house for Thanksgiving....Thank you Ryan and Melissa!
We are in the waiting mode with this whole thing.  We ask for prayers for her pancreas to heal and for the time to fly by.  I also ask that you pray for our whole family as this is becoming a long time away from each other.  We are a family that loves to be with each other and this is super hard to be apart. 
Kasi's spirit's are up, in fact she told me this isn't the worst thing in the world.  That is very true.  She also said to me that she is just really happy that her surgery went so well and if this is all she has to deal with, that is okay.  Once again, amazed by her.  If some of you were to see her you would notice that she has lost weight and is very pale, but she wears that smile which for me is the biggest blessing ever.  She could be so mad, sad, and frustrated, but she isn't any of those things.  Her doctor even said to her, he wouldn't be taking this as good as she is. 
We know that God's plan is perfect and the joy that He is giving us up here that we can share with others is a miracle.  Seriously, Kasi's attitude and laughter is contagious.  We were also informed that there are a couple of babies that were born with a heart defect and having surgery here soon.  We have not seen them yet, but we are looking and watching to be able to maybe encourage them as they begin their journey in this life as a heart family.  Life has changed and has many ups and downs, but knowing who is in control gives us strength for our tomorrows and peace for today. 
Thank you for faithfully reading these posts, it means so much to know that you are praying and seeking our Father, mentioning Kasi's name before His throne.  She is a strong young woman, who currently is in a lot of pain.  So, I am going to tuck her in, pray with her and go to sleep for the night!
Be Blessed!