Tuesday, December 28 – Successful surgery

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These words are being written from the new patient tower of Duke Children’s Hospital (which is amazing and huge.) They are also written by a mama with some tears of relief, gratitude, and joy in her eyes.

Heath’s surgery went as well as possible. His ostomy “take down” is complete and they took the port out. He has no NG tube (the nose thing that he hates so much) and it went well enough that the surgeon said he could have “sips and nibbles” tonight. It will still be a tough recovery, but we are in a good place.

A little more info for those wondering: They performed a partial colonoscopy (it has a fancy name that I can’t remember) first this morning to look at the “spot” that had provided a little question and had taken away the chance of yelling “all clear.” If they had found something concerning, they would have stopped the surgery and re-evaluated. The poor GI specialist who had been called in for that part came to give us his good news (that they had found nothing), and he received the emotional response of two parents who had been holding so much angst/fear for so many months. He had just met us this morning and our tears of joy were a little shocking, I think. The only thing of note that they found later—that could have been a source of the “spot” that lit up in the PET scan was a necrotic node meaning “dead cells only!” — there is our medical term for today. A good one in this case.

So, this was all very good news. And we were able to be put in the unit with our Hemonc team and nurses for some wonderful continuity of care. It’s strange the complexity of situations when you are requesting to be in the oncology unit, but again, whoever said anything in life was simple?

In that same vein—It was strange to say to Heath this morning, “if you wake up and feel lots of pain, that’s a good sign…” but that is where we find ourselves this evening. He woke up long enough to give us a half-smile as we had a ceremonial throwing-away of the ostomy “go-bag” that we’ve been dragging around with us for months—the embodiment of how we all feel.

As one of our oncologists just said, “the roller coaster is pulling into the end of this particular ride…” Our tummies still feel a little like they often do at the end of a pretty rough coaster ride, but we’ll take it tonight.

For all your prayers and support and love, we give thanks.

78 replies
  5. Muff & Jim Urbaniak says:

    What fantastic news!!! So many prayers answered!! Hope Heath will be soon feeling great joy rather than any pain from the surgery!
    Our love and prayers continue for all of you!
    Muff + Jim

    Reply
  7. Margaret Beatty says:

    Praise the Lord!
    An answer to the daily multitude of prayers. Time for the Tuttle family to relax as Heath’s healing journey begins.

    Reply
  11. Terry Hammersley says:

    So grateful, relieved, and happy for all of you!!! Never thought “necrotic node” would be a fun thing to say, but just try it 3 times fast! Praying that Heath’s healing (also fun to say!) goes smoothly as this new year dawns. Better days ahead. Love you, Terry

    Reply
  15. Barbara Burrus says:

    We have been praying for Heath and family since you got on this “ride”. So thankful that it is coming to an end. As a parent, I know that was the best news ever! Can’t wait to hear that this roller coaster has come to a stop and everyone has their feet on solid ground. Praise God for answered prayers.

    Reply
  22. Nancy Dye says:

    Dear sweet family, I read each post but rarely send notes and have tears of joy today for all of you! Carrie so much has happened since you sang The Gift of Love at my daughter’s wedding over 22yrs ago! You have all become amazing adults and parents.
    Sending love from the Dyes to you,
    Nancy

    Reply
  24. Sue says:

    Yes!!!!!!!
    If that GI doc was shocked at you two, he would be washed away by the oceans of tears of relief, joy and gratitude flooding out as your great news is shared. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  28. Sarah Erickson says:

    Offering a prayer of Thanksgiving this morning as I read this news. Healing mercies for Heath, and for all of you as you live into the other side of this journey.

    Reply
  30. Blanche Helm Nichols says:

    Happiness, happiness, happiness–beyond measure. I think the whole universe is filled with love and thanksgiving this morning. God bless all of you, dear friends.

    Reply
  32. Greg and Wendy Lunsford says:

    So grateful for a successful procedure and good news!! Prayers continue for Heath’s recovery and for continued strength for you all❤️🙏🏻

    Reply
  33. Mindy Douglas says:

    What joy! What relief! What gratitude! Thanks be to God for this amazing news! Virtual bear hugs and tears of thanksgiving all around! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  34. Kim Garcia says:

    So happy to hear the good news! Thanks for the update. Thanks be to God for prayers answered. Continued prayers for a smooth recovery.

    Reply
  35. Melissa Katrincic says:

    Yay yay yay yay yay yay yay!!!! Thanks be to God. Sending prayers for a smooth recovery for Heath from the surgery. Breathing a collective sigh with you friends.

    Reply
  40. Gran Sarah says:

    I just took a deep breath for the first time reading your posts. I simply can not imagine the relief you must all be feeling. Still holding you to the Light this night and all those ahead. Praise God for good news! Much love to the Tuttles.❤

    Reply
  43. David Wiseman says:

    Jeannene joins me in shouting the hallelujahs that all went so well today. We’ll keep the vigil as the mending process unfolds. Your mom and Jamie keep us in the know, Carrie. Love to all.

    Reply
  47. Patricia Hill says:

    Wow what terrific news …long waited for …I hope the future hold more good news and great strides forward …God Bless you all
    And Happy New Year

    Reply
  51. Kitty Kelly says:

    So much gratitude for this good news. Praying for rest, healing, big sighs of relief, and all the sips and nibbles Heath wants. Blessings to all. Love from the Kelly Family.

    Reply
  56. Hunter Dawson says:

    I can’t give this enough ❤️ ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  57. Sarah E Woodruff says:

    I thought the surgery was today when I saw you Chris… But I second guessed myself and figured it was a different day. Prayers answered! Very glad to rejoice with you

    Reply
  58. Barbara says:

    Feeling so grateful for you all…My daughter just had an MRI at 8pm to show where to do her cancer surgery in January sometime!!!
    We will all pray for continued healing for
    Your Heath…. Love🙏🏽

    Reply
  59. Karen Vandersea says:

    Oh my goodness, I am so happy for all of you! What a relief, indeed! What great news that so many things went right today. What a great new word to learn: necrotic node. Try weaving that into everyday conversation! Ha. Anyway — I’m sure you have more hurdles to clear, but for tonight, what a WONDERFUL start to this next stage of the journey. Rest peacefully, knowing you had the best outcome possible! Y’all continue to be in our prayers. We’re sending lots of love and hugs!

    Reply
  61. Janet Robinette says:

    I am crying such happy tears for you all. Our son had major cancer surgery at MD Anderson 5 years ago so we intimately know that feeling of joyous relief when meeting with the doctor who just left the surgical suite, but also knowing that there is still recovery in front of us. Ride that wave of joy as long and as far as you can. 💙

    Reply
  67. Susan Coffman says:

    This is a fabulous late Christmas present for sure! God is good! Prayers still continue for our brave Heath and family! ❤️❤️❤️

    Reply
  78. Ashley Barnes says:

    Thought of you all first thing when we awoke this morning and have continued to pray all day. Now we are celebrating with you all. Much love and hugs

    Reply

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