Feed your FAITH and your fears will starve .

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Successful Surgery!

After many hours of waiting yesterday, it is over.  The cancer is OUT!  We hesitate to proclaim that Trent is "Cancer Free" until he has had a full body scan, probably in one month.  But for now, we are shouting from the rooftops, THE CANCER IS OUT OF TRENT'S LUNGS!

We were schedule for surgery yesterday at 12:15pm.  However, the case before us was a very difficult heart valve replacement and they had a few problems.  So, we waited, and waited, and waited.  Finally at 7:00 pm they took Trent and I both down to the pre-surgery room.  I am sure Trent was FAMISHED by then!  But, in true Trent style, he was not complaining one bit.  We were informed what anesthetic procedures they would use and that Trent would have an epidural.  Surprisingly, Trent was pretty nervous for the epidural.  They gave him some loopy meds so he would be nice and calm while they inserted the epidural though.  After they had fully explained everything to us they wheeled him away.  I didn't even shed a tear.  I really felt very calm and at peace. 

During surgery I watched the Jazz game with my Dad, Josh, Joellynn, Tracy, Doug, and Rita.  It was nice to have something else to concentrate on.  We were told it would be at least 2 1/2 hours of surgery, possibly 6-8.  But just two hours later the nurse came out and said they were done and that Dr. Karwande would be out soon to talk to me.  Dr. Karwande brought me a picture of the tumors as I had requested.  It was so comforting to see them on the outside of his body, even if it is a little gruesome looking for some.  I don't mind looking at the pictures at all by everyone else, including Trent, is a little grossed out by it.  To me it is closure.  All the time I have seen those little blobs on the scans they have seemed abstract.  But to see them for real is different.  I guess I am still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that those little things tried to take my husband's life.

Two different nurses told me they had removed three tumors during surgery.  That really concerned me because there were five on the last scan.  But when Dr. Karwande confirmed that he removed three tumors from Trent's right lung it finally dawned on me.  We finally got the miracle we had been praying for.  Every scan day we would say to each other, "Wouldn't it be a miracle if the tumors were just not even there today?"  It happened.  Another miracle to add to our ever growing stack of miracles.  The two tumors in Trent's left lung were gone.  Dr. Karwande said his lung looked "pristine".  As he spoke I just bawled.  I asked him specifically, "Is Trent cancer free?"  He said it appears so but the body scan would confirm that.  He checked over both lungs very carefully and said that the two smaller tumors removed looked to be necrotic tissue.  They were no longer viable.  They will all be sent to pathology and we will know for sure in about four days.   He said Trent did very well during surgery and I would be able to see him shortly.  A few minutes after that the anesthesiologist came out and said Trent was awake and said to tell me he loved me.  I wanted to run jump on Trent right that second but I am sure that would have been a little painful so I politely restrained myself. :) 

We all got to go see him just after that.  He was alert but in a lot of pain.  He kept pushing his pain button every couple of seconds.  I cried and whispered in his ear that all the cancer was gone.  We made it!  If not for all those tubes and the fact that he had just had his chest cracked wide open,  I would have been in that bed with him squeezing him like crazy!  He just kept saying, "I love you, I love you."  Then he looked me right in the eyes and said, "Just remember the pickles."  Uh...I don't know what that means, and neither does he.  Must be one of those weirdo things you come up with right after being loaded to the hilt with all kinds of anesthesia and pain meds! 

We stayed with him for about 1/2 hour and then everyone left.  I went out to my car alone and had the most gut-wrenching, soul cleansing cry for about ten minutes.  It was like a million pounds of weight had been lifted from my shoulders.  I thanked my Heavenly Father over and over for allowing another miracle to be dropped down on our family.  I am in absolute awe of the love He has for us.  There really are not words enough to express it adequately. 

I finally made it to Josh's house and shortly after I got there the nurse from ICU called me.  She said Trent wanted to talk to me.  Trent had called to make sure I got there okay.  Oh my goodness!  He has just had his chest cracked wide open and he is still concerned about me driving six blocks in the evening snow!  It just doesn't get better than this!

A huge, heartfelt thank you to ALL of you who have been fasting and praying for this day!  I know Trent's name was in at least 16 different temples yesterday.  There is no doubt about the power of prayer.  It is tremendous and has changed our lives permanently.

18 comments:

  1. I have been waiting with bated breath to hear your news. Congratulations on the successful surgery, and I hope Trent has a speedy and complication free recovery!
    This post made me cry. Thanks for reminding me of the miracles that happen in our lives.

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  2. This is Emily (cousin AJ's wife). We are so happy to hear everything went well. I feel very touched by your post. I can attest that miracles do happen and that Heavenly Father is very mindful of each and every one of our needs. Happy Day! Here is hoping and praying for a fast recovery. Love you guys!

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  3. Holly Trent and Family,
    You are such an inspiration. Well done, well done. Thank you so much for sharing your journey with us and letting us lean on your faith. It has strengthened us. May the Lord continue to bless you with all the great things He has in store for you and your family. Well done.

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  4. Wow. I am so very thrilled for you guys and so touched by your post. I have tears streaming down my face and I'm just so happy for your sweet family. You deserve this and all the other miracles you've experienced, and hopefully many more to come. You are an inspiration and a testimony builder, and I thank you for sharing your journey here. Give Trent a few more (gentle) squeezes and then get that boy some pickles!

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  5. I'm sitting here feeling a little guilty, as I have no right to feel as happy and excited as I do - - I've only been an outside observer. I haven't experienced firsthand the long nights, painful days, and the months of transition and turmoil. Yet, I sit here, crying tears of joy, relief, happiness, and AMAZEMENT at this WONDERFUL, WONDERFUL news! It truly is AMAZING. And I have no words to adequately describe how incredibly happy I am for you and your family! I can only offer a cyber hug, along with my tears - - and my dance of joy in your behalf! You have born this well. INCREDIBLY WELL. And I thank you for being such beautiful examples of the one thing that keeps running through my head . . . "well done, good and faithful servants"! May the recovery be speedy as you walk into your "happily ever after" TOGETHER ;) YEAH, YEAH, YEAH, TEAM RASMUSSEN!! YOU WIN!!

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  6. Doing the happy dance for you guys!!! After wiping tears, of course. You had me bawlin'....

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  7. I am so happy that the surgery went well and as far as you know, Trent is cancer free! Miracles do happen and I know that Heavenly Father is mindful of your little family. Thank you for sharing your story with all of us, it has truly inspired and strengthened me. What a hard fought battle--but a WIN nonetheless!! YIPPEE!!

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  8. Crying.....SO incredibly happy for your family. Wish I could give you a hug!!! I will be coming through this weekend, headed down on Saturday and home on Monday. I will send you a text, see if I can stop by, either in the hospital or at home. Love you.

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  9. Dear Cousins - I have been following your blog for awhile, praying for you all here in California. I know our Father is so mindful of us all but many times we don't remember this. I am so sorry for all the pain you've been through but so very happy for the miracles you've experienced. It was "the pickles" that prompted me to write. It was in Apr 2007 conference that Elder Bednar spoke of "pickles". It was on being "born again" which is what happened yesterday - Trent's body is new again. I thought this quote from the talk might apply to your days of the last year. Refering to cucumbers becoming pickles, "This procedure requires time and cannot be hurried, and none of the essential steps can be ignored or avoided." Through the last year, many lives have been changed through the example of the Rasmussen family as they have become "pickles". May our Heavenly Father continue to bless you. Adele Greene(Doug's cousin)

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  10. Trent, Holly, and Family,
    Congratulations on your Fabulous News. WOW, I am so incredibly Happy for all of you!! You are Truely an Inspiration to all of us and I admire your entire family!!! Hugs,and More Hugs to all!! Trent and Holly you are the Best, and I am forever grateful that all your prayers have been answered. Holly...HyVee has a special on Pickles :)

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  11. That is amazing! We are so happy for you guys. You have been so strong and been through so much. Congratulations.
    -The Church Family

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  12. Holly,
    I remember a little less than a year ago... and the goal was "Cancer Free" in a year..
    You and Trent are amazing..and at a time when I needed to be shown how faith works.. you and Trent showed me how to have faith and it will all work out..
    Love you in bunches

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  13. You are evidently officially "Pickles." I LOVE that. What an analagy. You've come through the brine to complete. You are delicious in every way. You are renewed. I love you all.
    MOM (from Heidy's computer)

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  14. Cousin Michelle here...so happy for you guys and your incredible miracle! You've been through the fire and your faith has been strengthened...that is a tender mercy even when it didn't seem that way. Love you guys!

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  15. Thanks for sharing such personal moments. I have shed so many tears over a guy I've never met... I am so happy for you right now!

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  16. Thanks for sharing your story with us. We have kept you in our prayers and loved this post!!! Way to go Trent, we hope the trend continues to be good. Holly, you are one amazing woman! and so are those kids!
    Jennie Baird

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  17. Tears of happiness! You are all amazing! Wish we could come give you all hugs and party with you. Hope Trent is recovering well- way to go Rasmussen family. xoxo The Drapers

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  18. We are so happy for you guys! We hadn't kept up recently with our move back to Utah, so I am THRILLED for such great news. Let us know when things have quieted down for you, and we'll drive up to see you. Our girls would love to see Megan again. Love you guys! Cindy and Loren Miller

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