Monday, October 17, 2011

Prayer works


The fasting and prayers all of you have been offering have paid off today. My dad is in the recovery room right now. The surgery couldn't possibly have gone better. Thank you to all of you for praying and fasting for him. God really does answer prayers.

Now that we have that most important point out of the way, onto the details for those of you that are interested. The tumor ended up being encapsulated and we think they were able to get clean margins (which is cancer speak for they were able to get all of the cancer out. We are learning way too much about cancer terminology through all of this.)

They also were able to save some of the nerves that they thought they were going to have to take, which is wonderful. For those of you in the dental/medical field they were able to save all of V3 except for the inferior alveolar nerve and kept the facial nerve intact. He will have a droopy face for a couple of months as the swelling in the facial nerve goes down but he will recover all of that nerve function. His lower right lip will be numb, but that's ok. He will just have more sympathy for all of his patients that he inflicts numbness on all of the time.

The reconstruction went beautifully. They did not need to take as much bone as they were planning on. They saved the angle of his mandible and did not have to take any of his maxilla so he will still look like himself (he'll just have an awesome scar too. Sweet! He'll look like a tough pirate! Scars are manly.)

The pathology is still not back. :( This tumor is being ridiculously difficult to type. But they say they think it is benign or a low grade sarcoma, but, being very conscientious and careful pathologists, they say they are unwilling to say that definitively yet. So we think he will likely not need any chemo or radiation. Pathology will probably take a few days more.

He did get a tracheotomy and will be unable to talk for a few days until that comes out. So we will be using sign language and can finally make good use of the ipad we brought for something besides crossword puzzles.

They reconstructed his jaw with bone from his right leg. The graft went really well and he should recover fine and be back to running marathons in enough time for the rest of us to train for one to run with him.

We are so happy with the surgical outcome today. We have been so blessed as a family. Thank you again for all of the love and support. We really appreciate it.

-Shanelle and JoLynne

21 comments:

  1. Wonderful news, prayers are being answered!! Please know we love you are praying for your lovely family.

    All our love,
    The O'Neill family.

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  2. I have been checking this blog all day for any update and this is the best news I've heard all day, all week, all month! Our thoughts and prayers are still with you for a speedy recovery.
    Christy Martensen Family

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  3. We are thrilled with this news! Clear margins are a clear blessing. I hope you guys are doing okay. I can't imagine the stress you must be under. Well, actually I can. Love to you!
    Kelly

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  4. Wonderful news! The clear margins sound great. I think a pirate scar dentist is worth many cool points.

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  5. This is such good news! Yay for fasting and prayers!
    Thanks for doing this blog so we don't have to feel like we (who care so much) don't have to bother you (who have so much to worry about right now.)
    God bless you all,
    Mark and Julie Magleby

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  6. that is such good news. may you guys continue to be blessed!

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  7. Woohoo!! you guys are superheroes!! What a relief that all is going to be well!!

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  8. Eric- Sooo glad to hear everything went so well today. As soon as we heard from one of your patients about this we started the fasting and prayers for you. Please let me know if I can be of any help with your practice. Your patients are in good hands with Jeff. Ask the doctors there what they know about neural regeneration through the use of lasers, specifically Low Level Laser Therapy or Photobiomodulation. I have the laser you would need if you would like to use it. Speedy Recovery!
    Branton Richter

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  9. Whew!! That's the best news ever. We are all blessed with such wonderful support groups. Can you imagine how much more difficult our trials would be without guardian angels and friends to be there for us. Love you all P and R

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  10. We're so happy for you and your family and that all went well today... We hope your recovery goes well too! Prayers do work! Love, the Webbs

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  11. Rob and I are so happy to hear the wonderful news. It sounds like things really could not have gone better. We hope recovery goes as smoothly as the surgery did. We have been lifted up reading your blogs in ways you cannot have imagined. Thank you for sharing and for your faith.

    Rob and Cindy Kern

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  12. I can't tell you how relieved and happy we are to hear the good news. Thank you so much for keeping everyone informed! Love you guys!

    Jon, Paula and family :D

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  13. Wonderful news! We are very grateful that everything went so well! The Lord has surely blessed Eric--and all of us! We will be praying that his recovery is rapid and free from complications!

    Love,

    Bryce and Mary

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  14. Thank you for the blog update. What a great blessing. My faith is strengthened that when a group of righteous Saints unite in prayer and fasting, miracles can happen. Our family will continue to pray that the recovery will go well.

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  15. So happy to hear the good news! Thank you for being an inspiration to all who are following your story. We will continue to keep your family in our prayers.

    Jeremy and Sara White

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  16. The Peterson family is so glad that Uncle Eric's surgery has gone so well. I thought about and prayed for him a lot today, and I'm so glad to hear the good news. Tonight was the first chance I had to read through the entire blog and understand all the details. I woke my husband with my sobs of tears for you and your family. You truly are an amazing example, one who many strive to emulate. Your journey of faith and trust in the Lord teaches us all to endure to the end with optimism.

    I never knew, on this earth, the amazing woman I am named after. But after reading this blog and from the person I know my Uncle Eric to be, I know you have inherited all of her best qualities. I'm certain she is watching over you throughout this trial with her utmost love and care.

    Keep Smiling and allowing others to grow through your faith.

    Much Love and Prayers,
    Stacy Gwen Peterson Young

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  17. We are so happy for this news!! We also will continue to pray for your recovery and your family! Thank you so much for sharing everything. It helps so much knowing what is going on. Also thank you for your examples!

    You continue to be in our thoughts and prayers!

    Tim, Dallas, Emery, and Kaven Johnson

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  18. Great news, prayer is a powerful tool. We are all thankful for all the blessings your family is receiving


    Pasquale Family

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  19. Knowing "The Power of God The Father and God The Son Jesus" when we pray with humble hearts first hand with Gabriel. All our love goes out to you and your family. What a tremendous blessing for the surgery to go so well. We pray that your recovery be just as successful and that your and your family can put this behind you.

    For with God nothing shall be impossible. Luke 1:37

    Joseph, Erica, Aaron, Athos and Gabriel Oaks

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  20. Just heard about everything you are going through. So glad the surgery went so well. Please let me know if you need anything, anything!

    You and your family will be in our prayers.

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  21. We love you Eric. Stay strong. Maybe we can plan a great big Marathon in your honor. Our prayers will continue for you and your family.
    Love, Jay and Rhonda Hills

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