No Luck for Elnut...

[elnutsmalljaws]

Back from the surgeons office today with good news and bad news the good news is easy, I am not in surgery today and my buddy Cliff and I can still go to the North South 100 Late Model race at Florence Speedway next weekend. The bad news is a whole lot worse.

August 15th is the next surgery date at UK, making a 12-13" incision from my belt line up thru the middle of my chest, removing all the mesh that was put in last year for it is infected and is causing all the problems, in the process of removing the mesh (which most of it is attached to my intestines) they will have to remove part of my intestines as well, then restructure my abdonminal wall cavity and make it stronger, put in a whole set of new mesh, sew my up internally but leave my exterior wound open and let it drain and heal "naturally". Surgery expected to last between 6 and 8 hours. In the hospital for 7-10 days and off work for 4-6 weeks after that, unless any complications arise. Been thru a bunch of surgeries and surgery preps and all that stuff they warn you about prior but never had a surgery consultation like this one. Pretty much they said this was my last resort and that they were not totally confident it would even fix my problem. Pretty messed up when the "Supposive Best" surgeon in the state is having doubts but what can a man do.

I am not worried about me during this whole process and don't care if anyone says a prayer or does anything for me, but if you choose to say a few words for somebody then say it for my WIFE for she is the best WIFE that has ever, is ever, or will ever come along.

[MsgMills]

Again the Elwood Lumpkins Family is always on my prayer list.....Good Luck friend....

[Cobra190]

Prayers are always sent as a package deal for and your family. And it's always easier healing with the kind of support your wife has shown. I know, I have one just like her. Keep your head up Elwood, and hope the time spent healing is always returned ten fold.

[mhall]

Again the Elwood Lumpkins Family is always on my prayer list.....Good Luck friend....

Ditto here.

[birdstrike]

Elwood,
If your wife or family needs anything, please let me know bud. Wishing all of you the best.


Steve

[Tyme2fish]

Prayers for you from Tyme2fish

[DJD]

Man that's a tough one Elwood. All the best to you and your family, we will be praying for you guys.
Don

[roadrunner]

Elnut our prayer always extend to you and your family. I know your news sounds bad and is not to be taken lightly however I feel you are at the right place and I think I would rather have a surgeon explain the procedure as your surgeon has than some one who is cocky and telling you he is the best and you have nothing to worry about.

You are a great man, a great family man, a great friend and fisherman. I think you will come out of this in good shape.

I will be in the boat with you at 4:00 A.M. snow sleet wind frozen ramp at Dale Hollow this Januaury. I just hope they don’t put me in the psychiatric ward.

Keep the spirit
Steve

[roadrunner]

One other thing Elnut if you do not feel comfortable go to Mayo Clinic or some where else for a second opinion.

[elnutsmalljaws]

One other thing Elnut if you do not feel comfortable go to Mayo Clinic or some where else for a second opinion.

I looked into the Mayo Clinic over the weekend but the problem there is that they don't take any information from any other hospitals or doctors. I would have to go there (nearest one is in Chicago) and stay for them to do a total workup on me including labs, xrays, ct scans, blood and everything. The girl I spoke with on the phone Saturday said it could take up to a week depending on what they find. Just can't afford 5-6 days in Chicago while they do the initial workup and then all the time if and when they do surgery on me for my wife to stay, just too much money involved. Looks like I will put my trust in Dr. Chang at UK on the 15th. Pretty bad when even the "Expert" does not have all the answers and my buddy Hens said it best earlier when we talked about it when he said surely somebody else has had the problems I have had for them to have some research on. I don't know

[Dave Stewart]

Dropped in here this evening and found your posts here brother. Man I can't tell you how much Becky and I are pulling for you. Of course you have our thoughts and prayers as does your wife and son. If there is anything we can do for you or the family...you know all you have to do is pick up the phone or get on the email.
Dave and Becky

[birdstrike]

Elwood,

My wife and I have about 175,000 Hilton Honor points (about a weeks worth of free hotel stay) that we would be happy to give you if it helps you and your family afford the level of care that you need. They are not normally transferable, but I am willing to work with Hilton to see if we can make it work. Let me know if you are interested and I will see if it's possible.

Tight lines,

Steve