Back to Pittsburgh

Hi to all of you!

I am writing to give you the most recent update with Wez’s surgery. As you all probably know form my prior emails, Wez and I were in Pittsburgh about 5 weeks ago due to the fact that his pain had returned. When we went, we were under the impression that they were planning to redo the surgery. After meeting with the neurosurgeon Dr. Janetta, the decision was made to postpone surgery and try some different medications. Unfortunately those were unsuccessful. The past few weeks have been very difficult for Wez and after speaking with the doctors over the phone, they have decided to go ahead with the surgery again. Wez is scheduled for the 14th of May which is this Thursday. We will be leaving on Wednesday to fly back to Pittsburgh. In this surgery they will go in through the same incision that was made last time but this time they will be cutting the nerve. During his last surgery the doctors had found 2 blood vessels that had actually fused together with the nerve. This is what had been causing his excruciating pain. They were able to put in Teflon plates and separate the vessels from the nerve but apparently it was too little too late. They are unsure why Wez was pain free for 2 months before the pain returned but their best guess is that the nerve is just too damaged and is going back to what it has known for the past 4 years. By cutting the nerve the pain will be eliminated. Wez will loose sensation on the left side of his face in areas and has the risk of loosing function. Please keep him in your prayers for a successful surgery and for there to be no loss of function. Please also pray for a quick recovery. We will be staying in Pittsburgh until Wez is able to travel back home. Compared to how he did last time we are expecting to be there for at least 1 ½ to 2 weeks.

Wez and I both want to thank each of you for your love and support of us through this difficult time. It is easy to loose faith when dealing with such disappointment but you all have kept me from doing that with your words of encouragement and love. We are so blessed to have so many people who care about us. It is a continual shock to me how many people that don’t even know us, care enough to give us financial aid and pray on our behalf. I have been so touched by the kindness and hope that I will be given the opportunity to give back to all of you in some way. I will do my best to keep everyone updated on how things are going as soon as I am able. I will have my cell phone as well as my computer with me so feel free to call or email and I will respond as soon as I can. Again thank you. Those two words will never be enough to explain my appreciation.


Always,

Rachel Bezuidenhout