This is Kevin writing.
First of all, I would like to say a great big thank you to all of you. The love and concern shown to Roni and me during this ordeal has been overwhelming. I am truly grateful to have you all on my side.
As for me, I am still recovering from the surgery. I would like to think that I should be more healed than I am, but I just remind myself that they did cut me open and dug around my guts for 3 hours. I am not sure how long the recovery is supposed to take, hopefully the Dr. can let us know more tomorrow when we see him. I am also looking forward to being reassured that the ileostomy is only temporary. I hate this thing. :-(
I am also hoping that the Dr. will remove the sutures tomorrow. They are really starting to annoy me and are itching.
On Thursday, we go see a Carcinoid Cancer specialist for a second opinion. Once we talk to him and then again to the actual Oncologist who will be doing the work, we will hopefully have a better idea of the treatment that I will have to undergo.
As for me, I am doing OK. Some days are better than others. Some days are scary and some days I feel invincible. Today wasn't such a good day. I'll just be glad to start getting some info from the doctors and learning what the next steps will be.
I have also not been sleeping well. Waking a couple of times during the night and having a hard time getting back to sleep. This also makes me tired during the day, when I should be up and moving around.
Well, it is about 10 PM and I am getting tired. I will do my best to be as honest as I can on this blog to let you all know what is going on. I am not good at sharing my feelings (just ask Roni) but this experience has begun to help me learn. I pray to G-d that it will also help me be a better person.
Thank you again for all of your love, concern and prayers. We'll post another update after we meet with the doctors.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Saturday, October 18, 2003
Pathology Report 10/17/03
We got the results, and...
Kevin's pathology report was not the news we had wanted. The surgeon informed us this morning that the tumor was malignant.
Met with the oncologist at about 3:00 p.m.
It is not felt that the tumor is so aggressive as to need immediate chemo. The initial plan is to have re-connective/repair surgery (he has a temporary iliostomy) in about five weeks, with an additional two weeks or so to recover enough from that - then they can do a base line CT before beginning chemo. Chemo is to be outpatient, of a type that should not cause nausea, may cause some anemia which can be addressed with meds. Probably not lose his hair - though this is not a big deal for Kevin since nature has already been at work in that regard :-). He hould be able to return to work - with adaptations in schedule - during the chemo process.
The oncologist is highly recommended and seems very qualified, but we will still be prudent and seek a second opinion and also check out all info and options.
Kevin has begun to eat and tolerate "solid" (soft) food. Able to walk some and can pull himself up into a sitting position, but is weak and tires easily. Pain meds have not helped him get as much rest or sleep as he'd like or needs.
The most immediate prayer request: His IV's are causing a lot of discomfort which contributes to his lack of rest - feels that a good nights' sleep would be most helpful!
Kevin's pathology report was not the news we had wanted. The surgeon informed us this morning that the tumor was malignant.
Met with the oncologist at about 3:00 p.m.
It is not felt that the tumor is so aggressive as to need immediate chemo. The initial plan is to have re-connective/repair surgery (he has a temporary iliostomy) in about five weeks, with an additional two weeks or so to recover enough from that - then they can do a base line CT before beginning chemo. Chemo is to be outpatient, of a type that should not cause nausea, may cause some anemia which can be addressed with meds. Probably not lose his hair - though this is not a big deal for Kevin since nature has already been at work in that regard :-). He hould be able to return to work - with adaptations in schedule - during the chemo process.
The oncologist is highly recommended and seems very qualified, but we will still be prudent and seek a second opinion and also check out all info and options.
Kevin has begun to eat and tolerate "solid" (soft) food. Able to walk some and can pull himself up into a sitting position, but is weak and tires easily. Pain meds have not helped him get as much rest or sleep as he'd like or needs.
The most immediate prayer request: His IV's are causing a lot of discomfort which contributes to his lack of rest - feels that a good nights' sleep would be most helpful!
Friday, October 17, 2003
When will he leave the hospital?
Kev came home Monday, 10/20 and is recuperating at home with "Nurse Roni."
10/14
Since he won't be discharged until he's handling solid food, and he's not yet handling liquids, I can't imagine he'll be ready to come home before Friday. But then, tomorrow is another day, and he could really turn around quickly.
________
10/13
Kevin's digestive track has to start working. Once he starts digesting the clear liquids on his own (started today) he will progress to solids. They will get him moving about more today to help "reset" everything.
Once his stomach, intestines, etc. start working, they'll send him home with the bag, having given him instructions on emptying it, etc. Apparently people lead very active lives with these things. Still we're glad his is temporary.
10/14
Since he won't be discharged until he's handling solid food, and he's not yet handling liquids, I can't imagine he'll be ready to come home before Friday. But then, tomorrow is another day, and he could really turn around quickly.
________
10/13
Kevin's digestive track has to start working. Once he starts digesting the clear liquids on his own (started today) he will progress to solids. They will get him moving about more today to help "reset" everything.
Once his stomach, intestines, etc. start working, they'll send him home with the bag, having given him instructions on emptying it, etc. Apparently people lead very active lives with these things. Still we're glad his is temporary.
Thursday, October 16, 2003
What is the prognosis?
10/28
We'll know more after meeting with the surgeon today, and one of the world-renowned carcinoid specialists -- Dr. Richard Warner -- on Thursday. Read more for an amazing story.
Amazing story: After speaking with the oncologist when Kev was in the hospital, i was still left with a lot of troubling questions. The pamphlet about colon rectal cancer he sent me home with stated on page six (of 30 some) that carcinoids were another type of colon cancer, were extremely rare and therefore "not covered in this document."
ARGGHH! I immediately logged onto the Web site of the American Cancer Society, which directed me to the Web site for the Carcinoid Foundation where i was able to learn that this is an extremely rare condition that is also very individualized in its manifestation, therefore highly individualized treatment is called for. The Foundations Web site included an extremely helpful paper written for laymen by a Dr. Richard Warner (medical director of the foundation) who is associated with Mt. Sinai Hospital (just blocks away from our new apartment). Originally, we assumed we would go to Sloan-Kettering for a second opinion, but after reading from and about this doctor, I said to myself, "We have to get this doctor!" (Turns out, carcinoid cancer is so rare, and he is such an authority that when Sloan-Kettering gets cases, they confer with him!) This was on the Friday before Kevin came home.
The following Sunday evening my rebbetzin (rabbi's wife) came to help get the apartment a little more ready for Kev's home-coming. I mentioned the above to her at which point she did a double-take and asked, "Did you say Carcinoid Foundation?" Turns out that she knew (I didn't) that a congregant at our synagogue just happens to be the president (for the past 25 years!) of the Carcinoid Foundation.
She called him the next morning, and as Kevin was checking out of the hospital, this fellow congregant called me to explain that not only is he the president of the foundation, he is a lifelong friend (their parents were friends!) of Dr. Warner's and speaks with "Dick" once or twice a day "just because." He had already called Dr. Warner, and within 24 hours, the doctor CALLED US to tell us he had already squeezed us into his appointment schedule. We could not be in better hands!
10/16
We were supposed to get the results of the pathology tests today, BUT bizarre circumstance interfered. Just as our surgeon was back at his office, catching up with all of his patients' progress, he lost a crown and needed emergency dental work. He called me still affected by Novocain in early eve. to say that he had missed the pathologist.
Will meet with her in early a.m. and then will meet Kev and I in Kev's room at about 9:00 to give us the results. Lot's of praying tonight!
10/13
He has a long road of recovery ahead. How long will depend on the rate at which his body heals, whether or not there are any complications and what the final pathology reports reveal.
Kevin will have to recover from a big incision in his abdomen, lots of layers of sutures in his guts and trauma to his body. This by itself will take a minimum of 6 weeks for enough of a recovery to return to work. However, somewhere in the midst of that recovery period (much too soon to know when) they will go back in to resection his intestine and colon, and he will have to heal from those sutures. The surgeon, who refused to be pinned down, did agree that we are looking at at least 8 to 10 weeks before a return to work.
We'll know more after meeting with the surgeon today, and one of the world-renowned carcinoid specialists -- Dr. Richard Warner -- on Thursday. Read more for an amazing story.
Amazing story: After speaking with the oncologist when Kev was in the hospital, i was still left with a lot of troubling questions. The pamphlet about colon rectal cancer he sent me home with stated on page six (of 30 some) that carcinoids were another type of colon cancer, were extremely rare and therefore "not covered in this document."
ARGGHH! I immediately logged onto the Web site of the American Cancer Society, which directed me to the Web site for the Carcinoid Foundation where i was able to learn that this is an extremely rare condition that is also very individualized in its manifestation, therefore highly individualized treatment is called for. The Foundations Web site included an extremely helpful paper written for laymen by a Dr. Richard Warner (medical director of the foundation) who is associated with Mt. Sinai Hospital (just blocks away from our new apartment). Originally, we assumed we would go to Sloan-Kettering for a second opinion, but after reading from and about this doctor, I said to myself, "We have to get this doctor!" (Turns out, carcinoid cancer is so rare, and he is such an authority that when Sloan-Kettering gets cases, they confer with him!) This was on the Friday before Kevin came home.
The following Sunday evening my rebbetzin (rabbi's wife) came to help get the apartment a little more ready for Kev's home-coming. I mentioned the above to her at which point she did a double-take and asked, "Did you say Carcinoid Foundation?" Turns out that she knew (I didn't) that a congregant at our synagogue just happens to be the president (for the past 25 years!) of the Carcinoid Foundation.
She called him the next morning, and as Kevin was checking out of the hospital, this fellow congregant called me to explain that not only is he the president of the foundation, he is a lifelong friend (their parents were friends!) of Dr. Warner's and speaks with "Dick" once or twice a day "just because." He had already called Dr. Warner, and within 24 hours, the doctor CALLED US to tell us he had already squeezed us into his appointment schedule. We could not be in better hands!
10/16
We were supposed to get the results of the pathology tests today, BUT bizarre circumstance interfered. Just as our surgeon was back at his office, catching up with all of his patients' progress, he lost a crown and needed emergency dental work. He called me still affected by Novocain in early eve. to say that he had missed the pathologist.
Will meet with her in early a.m. and then will meet Kev and I in Kev's room at about 9:00 to give us the results. Lot's of praying tonight!
10/13
He has a long road of recovery ahead. How long will depend on the rate at which his body heals, whether or not there are any complications and what the final pathology reports reveal.
Kevin will have to recover from a big incision in his abdomen, lots of layers of sutures in his guts and trauma to his body. This by itself will take a minimum of 6 weeks for enough of a recovery to return to work. However, somewhere in the midst of that recovery period (much too soon to know when) they will go back in to resection his intestine and colon, and he will have to heal from those sutures. The surgeon, who refused to be pinned down, did agree that we are looking at at least 8 to 10 weeks before a return to work.
How is Kevin today?
See "Update before Dr.'s Visit" for latest.
10/16
Better couple of days. Getting stronger. Up more. Still not of soft foods, just liquides, but finally getting an appetite. Getting his personality/humor back!
10/14
Not such a good day. Got hiccups, which fortunately did not cause any strain on sutures or pain - but really tired him out.
They had put him on clear liquids yesterday to "prime the pump" and get his digestive system working. The message I got from the staff was to get liquids into him as he was getting dehydrated and that was resulting in veins collapsing (they had slowed IV to encourage oral intake).
Turns out the liquids he took in didn't prime the pump; they just sat in his stomach. One good hiccup was enough to cause his muscles to spasm resulting in vomiting that wouldn't stop until the stomach was empty. This happened around 4:00 and really wore him out. Fortunately, all of the "activity" was high up enough to not disturb his sutures.
After this, all Kev wanted to do was rest, but it turns out that the best way to get his innards working again is walking. So, despite fatigue, we took two walks down the hall between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. By the time we got back from the second walk, it was time for his pain shot, which sent him off to la la land.
Please pray that getting up and about tomorrow will actually help get everything "moving" and help to make him feel stronger, not weaker.
10/13
More tired today. He had a "roommate" put in with him night of 10/12 which apparently resulted in lots of noise and disturbances, so Kevin did not get a good night sleep Sunday night. The patient was discharged 4ish Monday afternoon, so for now, Kev has the room to himself.
He did get up in the morning and walk across the room to brush his teeth and wash his face. Three of "the guys" came to visit him around 3:00 in the afternoon. I asked later if he was too tired to really enjoy the visit. He nodded "yes." then i asked if he was glad they came anyway. He nodded "yes" again and smiled. Thanks, guys!
10/12
Good day. The stomach tube (inserted through nose) came out this morning! The catheter came out this afternoon. Kevin is getting stronger and sat up for a while today.
He wanted company, all except for a few hours this afternoon, when he slept.
He thinks he may be up for visitors tomorrow, though it still hurts to talk and he still tires easily. If you'd like to visit, just check with me first by calling my cell phone -- 917-488-2150. He is in room 10A-24 at St. Luke's Roosevelt at 59th and 10th.
The surgeon told me today he may come home this week!
10/11
Fluid levels improved and he was transferred out of CCU to normal nursing floor today at about noon. By 1:30 p.m. he was settled down enough to sleep.
When I told his nurse that he had had no uninterrupted sleep since entering the ER Wed. eve., she closed the blinds, turned off the lights, got him comfortable and LEFT HIM ALONE! He slept for about 2 1/2 hours. Woke long enough to tell me he wanted to go back to sleep and i should go home and come back at 7:00 p.m.
I spoke with the nurse about whether they would still try to get him up and moving today (that was the plan yesterday). She responded that since he really is exhausted, they would most likely let him continue to rest and wait until tomorrow to get him moving about.
All else is good. Vital signs all remain stable and strong.
Other than annoyance at being kept awake by all of the monitoring and his STRONG desire to get the tube out of his nose--he saves most of his strength for telling anyone with any influence how much he hates it and asking when it can come out (tomorrow at the earliest)--his spirits are really good.
10/10
Baruch haShem (Thank G-d) much, much, much better than yesterday's worst case scenarios.
I just spoke with the attending physician in the step-down ICU where Kevin is "resting comfortably" aided by the ability to administer morphine at the push of a button. The Dr. says, "He looks good to me. I expect he will leave ICU and go to the floor tomorrow."
They do not plan to get him up and moving today, but will move him from side to side a bit (to prevent immobility to cause fluid collecting in his lungs).
His vital signs are good, and he is healing from the trauma and the surgery. The lack of fever indicates that there is likely no infection. They have him on IV antibiotics as a preventive measure.
He is in the step down ICU so they can closely monitor him. The reason he needs close monitoring is that his fluids are "shifting" and not where they would like them to be. Simply put, he is somewhat dehydrated, because the fluids they are putting into him are ending up causing edema, more than they are passing through his system. In the words of the surgeon this morning, "This is something we need to fix, because his cells and organs needs to be hydrated to remain healthy. It is not, however, either unusual or a cause for alarm in someone who is as young and relatively healthy as Kevin."
He has tubes going into and out of his body: one tube down a nostril and into his stomach (they put this in Wed. night in ER) helps drain the gas and fluids building up there one tube protruding from where they removed a small portion of his small intestine and another where they removed a small section of colon are serving to eliminate waste from these areas (these are temporary) a catheter has been inserted to eliminate urine (temporary) IV line (lines? I realize i didn't notice if they put a second in) feeds fluids, nutrients, antibiotics and opiates into his body. They were able to remove (while he was still anesthetized) the tube they had placed in his windpipe to help with his breathing during the surgery. He now just has an oxygen tube taped to his nose to help him breathe, but he is breathing on his own.
He's mostly "out of it." Between sheer exhaustion, the trauma his body has suffered and the opiates, it was an effort for him to fight his way to "alertness" enough to acknowledge my presence during my two short visits today (one at 9:15 a.m. and one at 12:00 p.m.) He sent me home (with a promise to return for a brief visit this evening) so that he could just rest.
His spirits seem good. He smiled at me both times i showed up today. It was GREAT to see a smile after not seeing one since i met him in the ER Wed. night. He seems aware of his prognosis, and seems to feel both relieved and bummed out, which is, I think, appropriate.
10/16
Better couple of days. Getting stronger. Up more. Still not of soft foods, just liquides, but finally getting an appetite. Getting his personality/humor back!
10/14
Not such a good day. Got hiccups, which fortunately did not cause any strain on sutures or pain - but really tired him out.
They had put him on clear liquids yesterday to "prime the pump" and get his digestive system working. The message I got from the staff was to get liquids into him as he was getting dehydrated and that was resulting in veins collapsing (they had slowed IV to encourage oral intake).
Turns out the liquids he took in didn't prime the pump; they just sat in his stomach. One good hiccup was enough to cause his muscles to spasm resulting in vomiting that wouldn't stop until the stomach was empty. This happened around 4:00 and really wore him out. Fortunately, all of the "activity" was high up enough to not disturb his sutures.
After this, all Kev wanted to do was rest, but it turns out that the best way to get his innards working again is walking. So, despite fatigue, we took two walks down the hall between 5:00 and 7:30 p.m. By the time we got back from the second walk, it was time for his pain shot, which sent him off to la la land.
Please pray that getting up and about tomorrow will actually help get everything "moving" and help to make him feel stronger, not weaker.
10/13
More tired today. He had a "roommate" put in with him night of 10/12 which apparently resulted in lots of noise and disturbances, so Kevin did not get a good night sleep Sunday night. The patient was discharged 4ish Monday afternoon, so for now, Kev has the room to himself.
He did get up in the morning and walk across the room to brush his teeth and wash his face. Three of "the guys" came to visit him around 3:00 in the afternoon. I asked later if he was too tired to really enjoy the visit. He nodded "yes." then i asked if he was glad they came anyway. He nodded "yes" again and smiled. Thanks, guys!
10/12
Good day. The stomach tube (inserted through nose) came out this morning! The catheter came out this afternoon. Kevin is getting stronger and sat up for a while today.
He wanted company, all except for a few hours this afternoon, when he slept.
He thinks he may be up for visitors tomorrow, though it still hurts to talk and he still tires easily. If you'd like to visit, just check with me first by calling my cell phone -- 917-488-2150. He is in room 10A-24 at St. Luke's Roosevelt at 59th and 10th.
The surgeon told me today he may come home this week!
10/11
Fluid levels improved and he was transferred out of CCU to normal nursing floor today at about noon. By 1:30 p.m. he was settled down enough to sleep.
When I told his nurse that he had had no uninterrupted sleep since entering the ER Wed. eve., she closed the blinds, turned off the lights, got him comfortable and LEFT HIM ALONE! He slept for about 2 1/2 hours. Woke long enough to tell me he wanted to go back to sleep and i should go home and come back at 7:00 p.m.
I spoke with the nurse about whether they would still try to get him up and moving today (that was the plan yesterday). She responded that since he really is exhausted, they would most likely let him continue to rest and wait until tomorrow to get him moving about.
All else is good. Vital signs all remain stable and strong.
Other than annoyance at being kept awake by all of the monitoring and his STRONG desire to get the tube out of his nose--he saves most of his strength for telling anyone with any influence how much he hates it and asking when it can come out (tomorrow at the earliest)--his spirits are really good.
10/10
Baruch haShem (Thank G-d) much, much, much better than yesterday's worst case scenarios.
I just spoke with the attending physician in the step-down ICU where Kevin is "resting comfortably" aided by the ability to administer morphine at the push of a button. The Dr. says, "He looks good to me. I expect he will leave ICU and go to the floor tomorrow."
They do not plan to get him up and moving today, but will move him from side to side a bit (to prevent immobility to cause fluid collecting in his lungs).
His vital signs are good, and he is healing from the trauma and the surgery. The lack of fever indicates that there is likely no infection. They have him on IV antibiotics as a preventive measure.
He is in the step down ICU so they can closely monitor him. The reason he needs close monitoring is that his fluids are "shifting" and not where they would like them to be. Simply put, he is somewhat dehydrated, because the fluids they are putting into him are ending up causing edema, more than they are passing through his system. In the words of the surgeon this morning, "This is something we need to fix, because his cells and organs needs to be hydrated to remain healthy. It is not, however, either unusual or a cause for alarm in someone who is as young and relatively healthy as Kevin."
He has tubes going into and out of his body: one tube down a nostril and into his stomach (they put this in Wed. night in ER) helps drain the gas and fluids building up there one tube protruding from where they removed a small portion of his small intestine and another where they removed a small section of colon are serving to eliminate waste from these areas (these are temporary) a catheter has been inserted to eliminate urine (temporary) IV line (lines? I realize i didn't notice if they put a second in) feeds fluids, nutrients, antibiotics and opiates into his body. They were able to remove (while he was still anesthetized) the tube they had placed in his windpipe to help with his breathing during the surgery. He now just has an oxygen tube taped to his nose to help him breathe, but he is breathing on his own.
He's mostly "out of it." Between sheer exhaustion, the trauma his body has suffered and the opiates, it was an effort for him to fight his way to "alertness" enough to acknowledge my presence during my two short visits today (one at 9:15 a.m. and one at 12:00 p.m.) He sent me home (with a promise to return for a brief visit this evening) so that he could just rest.
His spirits seem good. He smiled at me both times i showed up today. It was GREAT to see a smile after not seeing one since i met him in the ER Wed. night. He seems aware of his prognosis, and seems to feel both relieved and bummed out, which is, I think, appropriate.
Wednesday, October 15, 2003
How's Roni?
Still "GRATEFUL!" and hopeful
I was staring at a couple of scary "worst-case" scenarios there for a while. When i think of the "could haves"--just one being the fact that this pain slammed him when he was out for a lunch time joy ride on the Harley, and could have resulted in a horrible accident--I'm so, so grateful that I can reasonably expect to have Kevin around for a long time to come... Well, the best I can say about all of that right now, without blubbering all over my keyboard, is that i realized on a gut level just how precious my husband is to me...
I'm hopeful and faith-filled. G-d has seen us through some difficult times. Though life is unpredictable and too often hard, G-d has always been with us. Whenever Kevin and I look back at all of our life up until now -- that includes the disappointments, hurts, seeming tragedies... all of it -- we like to sum it up with two lines from one a Kevin's favorite movies (though I'm too tired to know for certain which movie or to get the quote exactly right). the first line has to do with a soldier acknowledging G-d's hand with them in battle and another soldier replying in a heavy brogue "Aye, he has done us grrreat good."
Even now, though my emotions fluctuate from mad to scared to..., I see the goodness of G-d all around me--in the love my husband and I have for one another, in the amazing care we have/are being given, in each of you and in the tangible nearness of a real G-d i know i can cling to.
I was staring at a couple of scary "worst-case" scenarios there for a while. When i think of the "could haves"--just one being the fact that this pain slammed him when he was out for a lunch time joy ride on the Harley, and could have resulted in a horrible accident--I'm so, so grateful that I can reasonably expect to have Kevin around for a long time to come... Well, the best I can say about all of that right now, without blubbering all over my keyboard, is that i realized on a gut level just how precious my husband is to me...
I'm hopeful and faith-filled. G-d has seen us through some difficult times. Though life is unpredictable and too often hard, G-d has always been with us. Whenever Kevin and I look back at all of our life up until now -- that includes the disappointments, hurts, seeming tragedies... all of it -- we like to sum it up with two lines from one a Kevin's favorite movies (though I'm too tired to know for certain which movie or to get the quote exactly right). the first line has to do with a soldier acknowledging G-d's hand with them in battle and another soldier replying in a heavy brogue "Aye, he has done us grrreat good."
Even now, though my emotions fluctuate from mad to scared to..., I see the goodness of G-d all around me--in the love my husband and I have for one another, in the amazing care we have/are being given, in each of you and in the tangible nearness of a real G-d i know i can cling to.
What are the concerns? How can I pray?
Wisdom for us and for the doctors.
No complications: Specifically, no infection or internal bleeding to occur. No staff infection. No blood clots.
Kevin to heal quickly from the trauma and the sutures.
Good Spirits for both Kevin and Roni and that we would sense the nearness and comfort of G-d.
That G-d would bless each person who has reached out to and prayed for us. We are humbled and grateful!
No complications: Specifically, no infection or internal bleeding to occur. No staff infection. No blood clots.
Kevin to heal quickly from the trauma and the sutures.
Good Spirits for both Kevin and Roni and that we would sense the nearness and comfort of G-d.
That G-d would bless each person who has reached out to and prayed for us. We are humbled and grateful!
What about sending cards and gifts to cheer him up?
I'm allergic to most flowers, so filling the apartment with flowers will keep me out!
Kevin will be wanting and needing company, but is still not sure how much he's up to. Still tires easily, and this week my parents are in, plus we have two doctor's appointments. If you'd like to come by, check with me first to see if he's up for it. (Cell, 917-488-2150).
What Kevin DOESN'T want is lots of get-well-cards, balloons, plants, stuffed animals etc. He wants his environment to feel like a home, not a hospital or convalescent center. He also doesn't want your hard earned money spent of "stuff" -- we have enough stuff and would rather that money go to better causes.
What Kevin DOES want are scriptures, songs, prayers, poems, silly and distracting stuff, movie recommendations... anything that will be uplifting and help him pass the time as his body recovers from the surgery.
Also, our lives are about more than convalescence and healing. Kevin still likes a good political debate, etc. and needs these things in his life and his relationships (maybe for now, just let him "win" a few more debates that you normally would ;-)
Kevin has tons of books he's been meaning to read, so he doesn't need more. Perhaps books with daily, easily digestible little readings would be good.
If you have ideas or know of alternative treatment options, please just let me know with a brief synopsis what type of information you can provide or direct us to. We already have a lot to digest from what the doctors (and Kevin has the best!) have told and are telling us. If/when we are ready to explore other things, we will contact you.I'm allergic to most flowers, so filling the apartment with flowers will keep me out!
Kevin will be wanting and needing company, but is still not sure how much he's up to. Still tires easily, and this week my parents are in, plus we have two doctor's appointments. If you'd like to come by, check with me first to see if he's up for it. (Cell, 917-488-2150).
What Kevin DOESN'T want is lots of get-well-cards, balloons, plants, stuffed animals etc. He wants his environment to feel like a home, not a hospital or convalescent center. He also doesn't want your hard earned money spent of "stuff" -- we have enough stuff and would rather that money go to better causes.
What Kevin DOES want are scriptures, songs, prayers, poems, silly and distracting stuff, movie recommendations... anything that will be uplifting and help him pass the time as his body recovers from the surgery.
Also, our lives are about more than convalescence and healing. Kevin still likes a good political debate, etc. and needs these things in his life and his relationships (maybe for now, just let him "win" a few more debates that you normally would ;-)
Kevin has tons of books he's been meaning to read, so he doesn't need more. Perhaps books with daily, easily digestible little readings would be good.
If you have ideas or know of alternative treatment options, please just let me know with a brief synopsis what type of information you can provide or direct us to. We already have a lot to digest from what the doctors (and Kevin has the best!) have told and are telling us. If/when we are ready to explore other things, we will contact you.
Kevin will be wanting and needing company, but is still not sure how much he's up to. Still tires easily, and this week my parents are in, plus we have two doctor's appointments. If you'd like to come by, check with me first to see if he's up for it. (Cell, 917-488-2150).
What Kevin DOESN'T want is lots of get-well-cards, balloons, plants, stuffed animals etc. He wants his environment to feel like a home, not a hospital or convalescent center. He also doesn't want your hard earned money spent of "stuff" -- we have enough stuff and would rather that money go to better causes.
What Kevin DOES want are scriptures, songs, prayers, poems, silly and distracting stuff, movie recommendations... anything that will be uplifting and help him pass the time as his body recovers from the surgery.
Also, our lives are about more than convalescence and healing. Kevin still likes a good political debate, etc. and needs these things in his life and his relationships (maybe for now, just let him "win" a few more debates that you normally would ;-)
Kevin has tons of books he's been meaning to read, so he doesn't need more. Perhaps books with daily, easily digestible little readings would be good.
If you have ideas or know of alternative treatment options, please just let me know with a brief synopsis what type of information you can provide or direct us to. We already have a lot to digest from what the doctors (and Kevin has the best!) have told and are telling us. If/when we are ready to explore other things, we will contact you.I'm allergic to most flowers, so filling the apartment with flowers will keep me out!
Kevin will be wanting and needing company, but is still not sure how much he's up to. Still tires easily, and this week my parents are in, plus we have two doctor's appointments. If you'd like to come by, check with me first to see if he's up for it. (Cell, 917-488-2150).
What Kevin DOESN'T want is lots of get-well-cards, balloons, plants, stuffed animals etc. He wants his environment to feel like a home, not a hospital or convalescent center. He also doesn't want your hard earned money spent of "stuff" -- we have enough stuff and would rather that money go to better causes.
What Kevin DOES want are scriptures, songs, prayers, poems, silly and distracting stuff, movie recommendations... anything that will be uplifting and help him pass the time as his body recovers from the surgery.
Also, our lives are about more than convalescence and healing. Kevin still likes a good political debate, etc. and needs these things in his life and his relationships (maybe for now, just let him "win" a few more debates that you normally would ;-)
Kevin has tons of books he's been meaning to read, so he doesn't need more. Perhaps books with daily, easily digestible little readings would be good.
If you have ideas or know of alternative treatment options, please just let me know with a brief synopsis what type of information you can provide or direct us to. We already have a lot to digest from what the doctors (and Kevin has the best!) have told and are telling us. If/when we are ready to explore other things, we will contact you.
When will he be ready to ride his Harley again?
Looks like that will have to wait until spring. Bumps? Ouch!!!
A BIG thanks to Kevin's coworker, Frank, who got the bike from CT yesterday, and to Bill Valois who is helping to coordinate getting it to his garage for the winter!
A BIG thanks to Kevin's coworker, Frank, who got the bike from CT yesterday, and to Bill Valois who is helping to coordinate getting it to his garage for the winter!
Tuesday, October 14, 2003
What did the explaoratory surgery show and what did they do?
Look for another update tomorrow, 10/29 (after meeting with surgeon today)
10/28
About the initial pathology reports of "no cancer." It turns out that Kevin's rare form only shows up with a certain stain that they were only able to apply later and not during the "quick and dirty" process during the surgery.
10/9 Account of surgery and findings written by Rabbi Bruce:
When Kevin went into surgery, Roni was told it could last one and a half to three hours. It lasted almost exactly three hours. When it was over, the surgeon told Roni that Kevin had a "carcinoid tumor" (carcinoid does NOT mean it is cancerous, it means it is a fluid-filled growth of some kind). The GOOD NEWS is that the INITIAL pathology-study of the tumor (about the size of a softball) and its liquid contents SO FAR shows NO cancer at all. But the full-scale study of the tumor will take about a week to complete, and in some cases, a tumor that initially tests with no cancer will reveal cancer in some sample from some part of the growth when the large-scale study is complete. So - Roni, Kevin and we must wait for that final verdict on the tumor's nature.
The tumor had ruptured and released some of its liquid contents throughout Kevin's abdominal cavity, so he had several large repeated lavages (washings) done to clear our that viscous material. The tumor and the liquid had compromised Kevin's small and large intestine in the area near the appendix, so they had to remove a section starting at the end of his small intestine and ending at the beginning of his colon, and have put a temporary iliostomy in his abdominal wall to allow venting of waste while the surgery heals and cleans up a bit.
They intend to re-attach the intestine and remove the iliostomy later. The surgeon seemed to me very casual about this; almost perfunctory, as if this was a mere housekeeping matter ... so thank G-d again for that. Kevin will be spending all night in the Recovery Room. The operation was extensive. Roni saw him just before we left the hospital and I took her home. He is doing very well. I was there with her when the surgeon gave her the news, so all this is first-hand, and Roni asked me to fill you all in by email for her, since she is quite exhausted and is now at home resting.
All in all - although the sudden and severe nature of the event was quite scary - thus far, no really bad news has surfaced. Let us continue to pray this continues with the final report. Amayn?
Roni asked me to extend a deeply heartfelt thank you to all who prayed and voiced such loving concern for Kevin and her during this crisis.
Shalom -
Rabbi Bruce
10/28
About the initial pathology reports of "no cancer." It turns out that Kevin's rare form only shows up with a certain stain that they were only able to apply later and not during the "quick and dirty" process during the surgery.
10/9 Account of surgery and findings written by Rabbi Bruce:
When Kevin went into surgery, Roni was told it could last one and a half to three hours. It lasted almost exactly three hours. When it was over, the surgeon told Roni that Kevin had a "carcinoid tumor" (carcinoid does NOT mean it is cancerous, it means it is a fluid-filled growth of some kind). The GOOD NEWS is that the INITIAL pathology-study of the tumor (about the size of a softball) and its liquid contents SO FAR shows NO cancer at all. But the full-scale study of the tumor will take about a week to complete, and in some cases, a tumor that initially tests with no cancer will reveal cancer in some sample from some part of the growth when the large-scale study is complete. So - Roni, Kevin and we must wait for that final verdict on the tumor's nature.
The tumor had ruptured and released some of its liquid contents throughout Kevin's abdominal cavity, so he had several large repeated lavages (washings) done to clear our that viscous material. The tumor and the liquid had compromised Kevin's small and large intestine in the area near the appendix, so they had to remove a section starting at the end of his small intestine and ending at the beginning of his colon, and have put a temporary iliostomy in his abdominal wall to allow venting of waste while the surgery heals and cleans up a bit.
They intend to re-attach the intestine and remove the iliostomy later. The surgeon seemed to me very casual about this; almost perfunctory, as if this was a mere housekeeping matter ... so thank G-d again for that. Kevin will be spending all night in the Recovery Room. The operation was extensive. Roni saw him just before we left the hospital and I took her home. He is doing very well. I was there with her when the surgeon gave her the news, so all this is first-hand, and Roni asked me to fill you all in by email for her, since she is quite exhausted and is now at home resting.
All in all - although the sudden and severe nature of the event was quite scary - thus far, no really bad news has surfaced. Let us continue to pray this continues with the final report. Amayn?
Roni asked me to extend a deeply heartfelt thank you to all who prayed and voiced such loving concern for Kevin and her during this crisis.
Shalom -
Rabbi Bruce
What Happened?
How did Kevin end up in the hospital?
On Wed., 10/8/03, Kevin was working in CT. It being a beautiful day, he took his bike for a little joy ride at lunch time. That's when the stabbing pains in his abdomen started. Thankfully, he and the Harley made it back to work okay where he took some Mylanta, which turned out not to help.
He continued to feel so bad that he left the Harley in CT (that's BAD!) and took the train home from work early.
I got the Gas-Ex out and went to run some errands and go to a meeting at our synagogue, thinking that the Gas-Ex and some rest would do the trick. At 7:45 i go a call from Kevin on my cell phone saying that he was going to the emergency room, he felt so bad -- doubled over with pain. I left immediately and met him there (word of advice, if you ever have the option, DON't go to a city hospital ER--they are understaffed and their specialties are more along the lines of shootings, stabbings...)
After about 2 hours in the ER, they determined that he had an intestinal blockage and put a tube through his nose to his stomach to suction out gas and fluids. That helped the horrible stomach pains, and created really bad throat pain and irritation, which no amount of the morphine they gave him seemed to relieve. Finally, after 11 hours in the ER (and no sleep), we saw the surgeon who looked at the CAT scans they had managed to finally take at 4:00 a.m. He informed us the blockage was caused by a large mass. They didn't know what the mass was, and wanted to admit him.
I wasn't comfortable with admitting him to Metropolitan, the hospital that is the closest to our new apt. (Oh yeah, we moved on 9/28. New address below). I called our family Dr. who said he should NOT be admitted there and made arrangements for him to go to Roosevelt Hospital.
When he arrived by ambulance, he was met by 5 doctors who immediately set about finding
what was wrong. He was soon admitted and shortly taken to surgery. There was
a rush to get Kevin into surgery, because there was strong indication of
internal bleeding.
On Wed., 10/8/03, Kevin was working in CT. It being a beautiful day, he took his bike for a little joy ride at lunch time. That's when the stabbing pains in his abdomen started. Thankfully, he and the Harley made it back to work okay where he took some Mylanta, which turned out not to help.
He continued to feel so bad that he left the Harley in CT (that's BAD!) and took the train home from work early.
I got the Gas-Ex out and went to run some errands and go to a meeting at our synagogue, thinking that the Gas-Ex and some rest would do the trick. At 7:45 i go a call from Kevin on my cell phone saying that he was going to the emergency room, he felt so bad -- doubled over with pain. I left immediately and met him there (word of advice, if you ever have the option, DON't go to a city hospital ER--they are understaffed and their specialties are more along the lines of shootings, stabbings...)
After about 2 hours in the ER, they determined that he had an intestinal blockage and put a tube through his nose to his stomach to suction out gas and fluids. That helped the horrible stomach pains, and created really bad throat pain and irritation, which no amount of the morphine they gave him seemed to relieve. Finally, after 11 hours in the ER (and no sleep), we saw the surgeon who looked at the CAT scans they had managed to finally take at 4:00 a.m. He informed us the blockage was caused by a large mass. They didn't know what the mass was, and wanted to admit him.
I wasn't comfortable with admitting him to Metropolitan, the hospital that is the closest to our new apt. (Oh yeah, we moved on 9/28. New address below). I called our family Dr. who said he should NOT be admitted there and made arrangements for him to go to Roosevelt Hospital.
When he arrived by ambulance, he was met by 5 doctors who immediately set about finding
what was wrong. He was soon admitted and shortly taken to surgery. There was
a rush to get Kevin into surgery, because there was strong indication of
internal bleeding.
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