Well, it didn’t work. Every time the doctor tried to put a stitch in it would just tear loose. They are going to give him some medication to strengthen the tissues in his esophagus and try again in 6-8 weeks.

The good news is that he doesn’t have to have the feeding tube in the mean time. They are going to let him go ahead and eat food. His doctor is a truly wonderful man, who’s very determined that this is going to work! He’s a great guy. Both of my Dads doctors are blessings to our family. He’s been seeing his pulmonary doctor for 10+ years. (Daddy has emphysema)

The moral of my Daddy’s story is DON’T SMOKE. Daddy started smoking in 1932 when he was just 10 yrs old. This was much more acceptable back then especially in poor farm families. He quit smoking in 1975 when his doctor told him he was in the early stages of emphysema. (I sort of remember my parents arguing, because my Mom wouldn’t quit, too) He had surgery in 1990 for lung cancer which was completely removed, he was VERY lucky and didn’t even need chemo. This fistula was caused by the scar tissue from that surgery. It pulled his esophagus away from its normal pathway and eventually pulled the hole in it. The hole then grew to the bronchial tube, causing the whole problem.

Amazingly, even at his age, his body’s strong. He had absolutely no problems during the procedure, no doubt due to all the prayers that went out for him.

Thank you for all your prayers and hopefully we’ll try this again in a few weeks, so please keep Daddy in your thoughts!