Well, after visiting with Dr. Price on Tuesday, the decision was made. Brent is scheduled for surgery on November 14th. Tears were shed by all three of us as the realization hit. Here we go again. Dr. Price has booked almost the entire day for this surgery, which is good and bad. Bad, in that it will be extensive, good, in that he can take his time and not worry about other patients waiting.

The purpose of surgery is to remove the two fistulas and repair the intestine where the fistulas are attached. With a healthy, non-suppressed-immune-system patient, fistulas usually close up on their own. Brent is unable to take the medications that enhance that healing process, as they send him into anaphylactic reactions. We can sit and wait and wait and wait, but we all know that barring a huge miracle, the fistulas will not close. We chose to do it as soon as possible so that he is as healthy as he can be, and the surgery will not be an emergency situation like the last few. The next few weeks will be spent in preparation, physically, mentally and emotionally. The healthier he is going in to surgery, the better the recovery. Not sure we can ever be ready for it emotionally, but whatever.

So, here we go again. This will be Brent's 13th surgery, we think. It's hard to keep track anymore. The goal is to stay out of ICU. I hate that place. Hopefully our frequent flyer miles earn us the big corner room again. The one with the view.

Lisa