Thanks everyone.
Update. He needs surgery. He can't have it right now. First they have to get rid of the infection, then they have to let his intestines chill for a while. So it will probably be in six to eight weeks if he keeps progressing as is.
They have to remove the diseased section of the colon where the fistula is, and they have to removed the sections of his small intestine which have strictures.
His disease is far more advanced than we thought (and we knew it was quite advanced) *somewhat squeamish white font*
the small intestine has fecalized, which basically means it's so inflamed that only liquid passes through as it should and any solids hang around in the small intestine and turn to feces.
I don't think he will be able to return to school in the fall. He's worried he'll lose his scholarship (we already got them to pause it once). He was supposed to have this great fellowship that he'll have to give up too, but although he was trying to think of ways to put off the surgery until Christmas break, but he could develop more of these abscesses in the mean time, and then have to withdraw, which would sink him anyhow.
It has hit him really hard. We just keep telling him he'll get to do it, the path is just less straight ahead than he'd hoped.
Oof, that's rough. Waiting to be well enough for surgery is hard, and then recovering is not much of a picnic. I hope once he's ready he has excellent educational and professional opportunities showered upon him. {{{Cindy and fam}}}
{{Cindy and family}} I am sorry this is so rough. We have a different sense of time than someone his age too and putting off his goals must be so difficult. The most important thing of course is keeping on top of his physical issues and it sounds like you have good advisers there. He has an abundance of love surrounding him, and good medical care. Sending along the ~ma as icing on top of that.
{{{Cindy}}} I'm so sorry. Tons of ~ma.
Young Living Essential Oils is having a big convention in Salt Lake. I despise them and all their works because they took advantage of Hubby and his love of armoring to try and outfit a jousting event they were putting on, then it turned out that they weren't actually planning to pay anyone who was making the armor, training the horses, providing the horses, or riding into lances. He was so excited to be making money doing what he loved and to hang out with medieval enthusiast and big friendly horses.
Societal expectations have kept a lot of arsons from happening in my state.
Cindy, my heart goes out to you and your son. May the road ahead be as smooth as possible.
Cindy, I'm so sorry he and your family are going through this. All good thoughts that things go as smoothly and well as possible. Wishing you strength.
Cindy, that's such hard news. Not just the serious implications for his health now and going forward, but to feel like his dreams are being thwarted.
Wrapping you and your family up in loving thoughts.
((((Cindy))))((((Son))))((((Entire Cindy family)))) It's so, so hard, and scary, and emotionally draining. I am so sorry. I'll be praying for all of you, and for steady hands and wisdom to his medical team.
