Updates on Mom

Last Tuesday, July 13, my mom, Sharon Wilson, experienced an onset of stomach pain that quickly developed into an unbearable, debilitating and frightening ordeal. My dad rushed her to the hospital where they immediately admitted her and began testing to identify the issue. Right away, the diagnosis was made that there was an intestinal blockage. After a couple of days of conservative efforts to try to let it resolve itself, the decision was made to operate. As it turned out, the cause of the pain was the best of the possibilities (by the way, my dad says he doesn't recommend consulting the internet for self-diagnosis…scary); last Thursday, surgery was performed to cut away some scar tissue that had caused entanglement of her intestine. The surgery was successful and the outlook was one of relief and quick recovery. However, complications arose over the days following surgery. Those issues included the diagnosis of an infection in and around her stomach, blood chemistry difficulties that caused physical challenges with pain, and other messes, all of which have made her very sick.

An extraordinary team of caring professionals, led by Dr. James Martin, our fabulous longtime physician who is the Chief Medical Officer of the Santa Rosa Hospital System, has worked day and night to identify the problems and reign them in. Two nights ago, Dr. Martin described the last few days as “filled with uh-ohs.” He told us he was greatly relieved that they now don’t see any more “uh-ohs” on the horizon and that all of the challenges are being met with careful strategies to get her well. He told us that she should feel better in the next few days, and we were sure ready to hear that pronouncement instead of the scientific medical term, “uh-oh.” We’re counting on her feeling better real soon. And we have discussed the useful lessons already learned from this experience.

My mom is still in Santa Rosa; she still doesn’t feel well enough to have visitors, and although she agrees, that really bugs her. While this was all happening, my sisters and I were literally around the world. We have all come together now (Kara is in route) to be with my mom and dad during this scary ordeal. We have been so thankful for all of the prayers, thoughts, expressions of concern, and offers of help we have received. We promise to let you know if there is something we need.

Mom is due to have another hard procedure in the morning for the doctors to gain more information. Please continue to pray for both her physical health and spirit. This past week and a half has been filled with many ups and downs, and we continue to pray for a lot more "ups." Thank you for loving us and for loving our sweet mom. She is one amazing lady and we have been even more convinced of that this week as we have watched her fight. We know and are convinced that God is watching over her and giving her what she needs.

Kelly (for the whole Wilson clan)