I rolled out of a meeting at the Rescue Mission at 5pm this afternoon to the news that my g-tube (feeding tube) placement surgery is happening tomorrow (Thursday) at 11am! Surprise! Although Rolf and I talked with the neurologist recently about it being time to schedule a GI consult to discuss the plan for a g-tube, I guess our call to 911 last Friday was reason enough for Dr. D to expedite the process…catching us off guard a bit. This is a routine, out-patient procedure usually done in the GI office. The only reason they scheduled mine at the hospital is because I have ALS…I should be home by mid-afternoon. I’m not nervous about the procedure (‘been through this before with Rudy) but I would appreciate your prayers for the recovery. It’s hard enough for me to find comfortable positions in bed or my chair on a normal day, I can’t imagine adding wound care and pain management to the equation.
I don’t want to overdramatize the situation but I sure hope this move improves my quality of life and doesn’t diminish it. I’m going into this not knowing how I feel about it and I’m weepy. I feel like we just unloaded all of Rudy’s enteral supplies and the thought of resuming regular supply shipments from crApria discourages me more than the fact that I need a feeding tube. I know too much and have too much history in this arena to see this as anything but a major setback…I hope I’m proven wrong but tonight I’m uncharacteristically pessimistic and wonder if all the effort will even be worth it…but then again I want to see my baby girl graduate from high school so…! Prayer PLEASE!!
I’ll be off the grid for a few days and I’m already behind in responding to texts and emails this week so if you don’t hear from me (especially regarding requests to visit), please be persistent and try again. 🙂 Thank you dear ones.
Rudy's Beat 
Dear Trish,
I’ve always been a big believer that knowledge is empowering, but not when it came to the day John was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer because my father died of the same merciless disease so I knew, in detail, what was going to unfold, whereas others who loved him did not – for a while… The fact that you know what’s coming with this tube is horribly disturbing, but it may actually help you adjust to it. The single hardest thing for John and I was not his pain (but that was right up there) but rather the loss of control- both the big picture and small daily details. I know you feel out of control with what will happen to you today, but with your love for God, your incredible family and your devoted friends you will find your way because you have hundreds of times before. Much love Joyce (& John)
Precious Precious Precious TRISH! I am praying for you, your emotions, your surgery this morning, for the Doctors and Nurses and caregivers, for your family, for a speedy recovery, also against any infection or adverse side effects, that you would not have pain and that the presence of the Lord is tangible for you from this moment forward. DEAR LORD as we approach Your Throne of Grace today I humbly ask that You surround Trish this morning as she prepares to go to the GI office. Calm her fears and anxiety. Give Rolf, Wilson, Max & Olivia a supernatural strength as they minister to Trish. Guide and direct the doctors and nurses as they perform their duties. May there be Your sweet sweet Spirit surrounding all involved through this process. Keep all obstacles out of their path as they travel and may they get to and from their destination safely. Keep them in Your Perfect Peace. I ask this in the Mighty and Majestic Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! Amen, Amen & Amen! I love you Trish!
Praying for you this morning! I am so sorry I wasnt sensitive to the difficulty of this decision. Its huge. Somehow in the midst of this your smile radiates the Lord’s heart. Thank you for all your support for auxiliary! “ the Joy of the Lord is your strength”. You truly exemplify this
Greetings from Lorette
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Dearest One, We all surround you with prayer and know that God has His hand on you. May this step forward ease your anxiety and allow you to get the nutrition you need. God in in this, and He will give you the strength you need to carry on. May His peace which passes our understanding fill your heart today. Prayers for Rolf and Olivia, Max and Wilson. So glad they are with you!
Dearest Trish,
Your recent posts have never been far from my heart, thoughts, and prayers. As I think of all the gifts you have shared with each one of us over the years I know my life and those of so many others have been enriched and challenged in wonderful ways. You have blessed us with laughter, love, your smile, energy, strength, music, fellowship, and so much more. As some of those attributes may feel like they are slowly slipping away I see your core remaining steadfast and true….authenticity. Brene Brown a professor at Houston University so aptly put it, “Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make everyday. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.” Trish through your transparency you challenge me daily to make more authentic choices in my life and remind me that it is okay to be me, just as I was created, flaws and all. What a beautiful gift that you continue to give each one of us by blessing us with your story. Thank you so much. My prayers walk with you on this journey.
Lorie (Eddy) Askins
Dear Trish, You are much in my prayers and I thank you for sharing your journey with us. I saw Max at Kyle’s Kitchen and even though I’ve never met him I knew right away who he was. I stumbled over my words like I was seeing a celebrity! He must have thought “that’s one crazy lady!” All that’s to say that your family is dear to us because you’ve let us get to know them and they’ll stay in our hearts, even as you are. I am in awe of you and see Jesus in you–through the good and the bad times! Bless you, Trish! Janet Wright
I hear — no, I feel — every word of this. It is HARD. Extraordinarily hard. Praying for ease, freedom from pain, psychological as well as physical strength, and for a growing sense of God’s presence, right in the middle of all this hard. I am more sorry than I can say for all that you know and why you do. I am more sorry than I can say for the fear, for the frustration, for the anger. And yet — I also know that those very things will help to give you what you need to move through this next hard thing. Because anger, even fear, when offered up to God, can empower us in strange and wonderful ways. That’s what I am asking God to give you, dear Trish. BIG time. So much love to you.
If anyone can do this with grace and dignity and come out a Rockstar it’s Rudy’s Mama xo
Praying all goes well…..if you can handle this as you have all the other challenges it should …….
Remarkable you……
Blessings