Not only is the basketball team at Duke quick but..

..the staff and doctors are too!  We arrived at the GI Special Procedure Clinic at Duke at 8:15am and Joe was called to the back at 8:20am this morning.  As you can tell, there wasn't  a huge crowd in the clinic this morning.

By 8:35am they called me to come back to sit with him while they asked him the myriad of questions that they always do.  It still amazes me that we have to go through the litany of questions about his medications, etc. every time we are here.  Even though it is obvious that their computer screen has the information.  Seems it would be easier to just ask if he is still on all the same stuff....but whatever.  The nurse that was in asking the questions was very nice, heavy accent, hard for Joe to understand and apparently very nervous.  So much so that when she was looking for a vein to start his IV, she commented that she was nervous and would only try it once and if she didn't succeed, she would get someone else.  It didn't exactly instill confidence. So, when another nurse poked her head in to see if she could be any help, I quickly stated that the first nurse was nervous about doing the IV, so the new nurse stepped in, quickly located a vein and with one jab, had the IV in and running.  I love nurses, especially the ones who are confident!

Soon thereafter, they informed us that Joe's minister, Jay Minnick, was in the lobby and wanted to see him.  I went out to the lobby and got Jay and he came back with us.  Unfortunately, here is where the speed at Duke comes in.  By the time Jay had gotten in the room, they came to take Joe back to start the procedure. Jay returned to the lobby and I accompanied Joe to the operating room and helped answer the myriad of more questions from the nurses and doctor there.  A wonderful, confidence inspiring group.  Even photogenic.

In the operating room

9:23am: I returned to the lobby and sat with Jay until he had to leave.  Having not had my morning coffee, I took the opportunity to go down to the food court to Seattle's Best for a Large Coffee --- Ahhhhh...tastes so good.
10:05am:  After just settling down, reading the story on Duke's wonderful win over State in the Duke Chronicle newspaper, I opened the pc to start writing this.  Of course, this was the exact moment that the nurse came out to the waiting room and called my name to come back to recovery with him.   Now you know what I was implying with the speed of Duke. I got back to recovery within minutes and here I sit.  He is somewhat groggy though talking.  His memory isn't working so well....he's asked me the same questions a couple of times, but that is from the anesthesia.   He will have to be back here for at least an hour.   They have him on antibiotics and fluids, just like last time.  He's looking very handsome just lying here resting.

Normally the wait time in recovery is about an hour.  However, this time there were a couple of problems with his antibiotic IV so we ended up being in there for more like 1 1/2 hours.  Then we had to wait a little while for the wheelchair and attendant to come to take us to the car, but like all good things, it was worth waiting for and eventually we got him to the car and home.  Now for a quick lunch and something for him to drink so he can stretch out on the couch and nap this afternoon.

Above are 2 posters of the digestive system, including pancreas.  You can see how the pancreas is crammed in there next to the stomach and intestine. The one on the right shows the approximate position of where the stint is that they inserted.

1:15pm: Joe is home now and just finished his lunch (Thanks Lucinda!!!!).  At the moment he is getting settled on the couch in the family room and hopefully will be napping much of the afternoon.  He was able to get all of his normal medications taken once we got home so all should hopefully be back on track.  

We are so very grateful for everyone who has wished Joe well and included us in their prayers.  We are hopeful that after his oncology appointment on Monday, his bilirubin count will be trending downward and we can have 3 weeks off from doctors before the long day at Duke on Feb. 14th when we see the radiologist, oncologist and surgeon throughout the day.

PS:  all photos can be enlarged by clicking on them....especially the digestive system graph which is hard to read otherwise.