Devotional 12-11-08

My Journey

My parents, the late Colonel Paul L. and Mary J. Riggs always taught my sister, brother, and me - “you are judged by the company you keep”. Even though I have never met this man; some day I hope to meet him, spending eternity with Jesus. He was the 18th President of the United States (1869-1877) and the Commander of the Union Forces during the Civil War: General Ulysses S. Grant.

My Great, Grandfather Esau Powell Scott, a Infantryman fought in General Grant’s Army and following the war was a active member in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). As you read on you will understand my connection to Gen. Grant.

In March 2007, I developed a sore spot in my mouth on the right side. It felt like my tongue was rubbing against my lower teeth. After several trips to a dentist; I was referred to an oral surgeon. Following a biopsy, the results were in...I had tongue cancer. I contacted my family doctor, a Huntington Internal Medicine physician who referred me to a H.I.M.G. Specialist. He recommended I go to the University of Kentucky Clinic to see a specialist there. After several visits, tests and exams by other specialist my surgery was set for May 2007.

I recall the day of my surgery. I had to be at the hospital at 6:00AM. As I was lying on the preparation table I prayed the most sincere prayer of my life. I prayed for the forgiveness of my sins - and if I didn’t pull through- for GOD to look after my wife, brother, sister and my fishing buddy - my father-in law. If by chance I did make it; I would serve the LORD, anyway I could. This is why I do volunteer cooking at the church and the Huntington City Missions and other organizations. Back in August I cooked for a 150 Boy Scout Jamboree at Yatesville, Kentucky State Park. I recently cooked for the Rivercities H.O.G. (Harley Owners Group) Chapter Annual Picnic. Being a school-trained U.S. Army Cook gave me the training and knowledge I needed. For me - “it’s pay back!”- “Amen”.

When my surgery day rolled around, a team of 4 surgeons assembled to do my surgery which ended up lasting 12 ½ hours. The University of Kentucky doctors fixed my tongue and
made me a new one using instruments so small they had to use a giant magnifier to pick them up correctly. I have large scar on my arm where the muscle was taken to make me a new tongue. They pulled all my teeth (knowing I would undergo follow-up radiation treatments); they repaired my carotid artery in my neck by removing a vein from my leg - I had 80% blockage. They also removed some lymph nodes in my neck. Tongue cancer will spread to the nodes. In my case - it had not spread. The doctors also put a trache in my neck to enable me to breathe.

Following my surgery, I was in recovery when around 1:00AM my trache came loose. The doctors and staff thought they were going to lose me, and I was going to be with Jesus! The doctors faced a dilemma, insert the trache quickly down my throat and possibly destroy all the work done during surgery or continue attempting to re-insert the trache back into the hole in my neck. My family was called “to pronounce me”. When they arrived, I had been resituated. “Not yet”! “I still have work for you on earth” my heart and soul tells me this. You have all heard the bible term - “be still and listen” - “I took heed”. At 4:00AM my lungs collapsed and my family was called back to “pronounce me again”. I returned again - tubes were put into my lungs, and I was placed on a ventilator.

Following my surgery I had several friends and family visit me and several I never expected. Most of my friends wanted to pray with me. One friend said “that GOD won’t lay on you anymore than what you can handle.” I also received flowers and gifts and numerous cards. One such cards “which brought tears to my eyes” was from my former Army Aviation Buddies and signed by many of them. At one time I was a flight medic assigned to a UH-1 Army Helicopter.
I remained in intensive care for 3 days and on the 4th day I was moved to the Markay Cancer Hospital. Ten days after my surgery I was released and on my way home. Before leaving Lexington, I wanted a Wendy’s Frosty. - I had a feeding tube in my nose, but I wanted a “Frosty”!

Summer of 2007 I did 6 weeks of radiation treatments at St. Mary’s Hospital. Before this treatment began I weighed 285 lbs. I’ve lost 100 lbs since then. My diet after surgery was Ensure Plus. Now it’s Ensure, soup, jello, pudding, yogurt, ice cream - basically soft foods and oyster stew (yummy-yummy). I also love fresh, grilled rainbow trout. My tongue reconstruct was so severe my dentures will not stay in place.

It has been a long journey - but it’s my story and I am sticking to it!!” I feel the late Gen. Ulysses S. Grant would be a kindred spirit----he died from tongue cancer.

Paul S. Riggs