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