Baring any unanticipated digestion problems, Kevin will be realeased tomorrow. We plan to stay Sunday night in DC (to avoid weekend traffic back into NY). We will head home Monday. Yippee!!
Kevin's biggest struggle now is getting strength and appetite back. He's really doing well overall, though. Thursday we walked out to the lovely hospital courtyard and sat in the sun, and yesterday we strolled the hospital corridors for about 20 minutes.
Dr. S. consulted with us yesterday. He recommends no more chemo. Regular blood tests and CT scans will be used for early detection of any recurrence, but Drs. are optimistic that they got it all. We are praying that any further dealings with this disease will be as support for others who are struglling with it.
If I were one to cry for joy, there would have been streams running down my face yesterday as I read Dr. Sugarbaker's consultation report, which summarized our ten-month battle with cancer and PMP. It has been a miraculous journey. I am humbled by all the prayers, words of comfort and acts of kindness from so many who really care. I don't even know how to fully take in the many, many signs that the G-d of heaven and earth divinely intervened on our behalf.
I still don't know why bad things happen to good people (and I don't really trust anyone who thinks they have an iron-clad answer to that one) except that somehow the "bad" things either bring out the best or the worst in people. We are so blessed to have so many people in our lives whose wonderful qualities of compassion, strength, selfless service, etc., etc. illuminated our lives during what otherwise would have been a very dark nine months.
We've met wonderful people in the PMP/appendix cancer community who would not otherwise be in our lives. We will continue to pray for individual s and families who struggle with this disease, as well as for breakthroughs in diagnosing and treating it.
Roni
Saturday, July 17, 2004
Thursday, July 15, 2004
Thursday--Day 9 post-op
Late morning yesterday, they removed the four remining drains. The pain caused Kevin to clench all his muscles each time one was pulled, despite all the extra pain med he administered prior and during romoval. He spent most of yesterday sleeping off the extra medication, though we did go for a walk last night and then visited Alice for about a half hour.
Today Kevin's back and abdominal muscles are really sore from the clenching he did yesterday. He's having a little difficulty adjusting to his liquid diet. If he starts handling the fluids better by end of day, they'll start him on surgical soft diet tomorrow. If he keeps progressing well with digestion, we could go home as early as Sunday. More likely will be Tuesday-ish before he is released.
So now we wait for the plumbing to heal. Otherwise, all is good, though Kevin is fed up with not feeling good. Poor guy. :-(
Roni
Today Kevin's back and abdominal muscles are really sore from the clenching he did yesterday. He's having a little difficulty adjusting to his liquid diet. If he starts handling the fluids better by end of day, they'll start him on surgical soft diet tomorrow. If he keeps progressing well with digestion, we could go home as early as Sunday. More likely will be Tuesday-ish before he is released.
So now we wait for the plumbing to heal. Otherwise, all is good, though Kevin is fed up with not feeling good. Poor guy. :-(
Roni
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
Cancer Free!
Kevin remains cancer free. Dr. Yoo (oncologist) came up last night to give us the good news from the pathology report. There was some miniscule recurrence of the PMP (the slow-growing mucinous disease), but absolutely NO carcinoma cells. Dr. Yoo is recomending no further chemo., just tumor markers every three months and CT scans every six months.
Alice* had even better news yesterday when she woke up from surgery--no recurrence! We've declared 7/13 an official holiday--Hyland/Kersey Cancer Free Day. We plan to celebrate it annually for a long time to come.
Alice is in the room next door. The two of them will be stirring up trouble together in no time.
Kevin starts his liquid diet today. Mmmmmm.
*Alice Hyland is the 26-year-old who lives and works near us. She and Kevin were hospital buddies last Feb./Mar. Kevin had the Mother of all surgeries one day before Alice's MOAS.
Alice* had even better news yesterday when she woke up from surgery--no recurrence! We've declared 7/13 an official holiday--Hyland/Kersey Cancer Free Day. We plan to celebrate it annually for a long time to come.
Alice is in the room next door. The two of them will be stirring up trouble together in no time.
Kevin starts his liquid diet today. Mmmmmm.
*Alice Hyland is the 26-year-old who lives and works near us. She and Kevin were hospital buddies last Feb./Mar. Kevin had the Mother of all surgeries one day before Alice's MOAS.
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
NG Tube is out!
Yeah! Kev tolerated yesterday's clamping just fine, and they pulled the NG tube (Kev's mom says it stands for "ghastly nasty") right after early rounds, about 7:30 this morning.
Kev can now sip water (woo hoo!) and tomorrow will start a liquid diet (mmmmmm broth). His throat is already beginning to feel better, and it's much easier for him to talk.
As always, thanks for the prayers.
Roni
Kev can now sip water (woo hoo!) and tomorrow will start a liquid diet (mmmmmm broth). His throat is already beginning to feel better, and it's much easier for him to talk.
As always, thanks for the prayers.
Roni
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Day 5 Post Op
Hello all,
Kevin is recovering well, though not as quickly as he would like. He still has the NG (Naso-Gastric) tube inserted to pump stomach fluids (prevents vomiting). It KILLS his throat, making it hard for him to rest. In order to shut the stomach down, he can't even swallow liquids, so his poor throat is also dry and hot. He doesn't speak unless he has absolutely has to--not even to make wise-cracks. His IV sedative does not relieve the throat pain, neither do numbing lozenges and spray.
Tomorrow they may try clamping the NG tube and see if he can avoid nausea for the day without it. If so, they may remove it Tuesday. Please pray that that thing can come out Tuesday at the latest!
They did remove the catheter this morning. One tube down; seven to go. Each time a tube comes out, mobility is a little easier. He started walking in the halls yesterday, and seems to have more strength and energy each day. I think he'd have more if he were not managing pain all the time.
Vital signs have remained strong and steady, healing of intestines and bowels seems to be progressing, white count has dipped slightly below normal, but Dr. Sugarbaker isn't worried. He says the milder chemo drug they used this time tends to kick in later down the road, so we still need to pray that Kevin will avoid a further decrease of his white count after leaving the hospital. Still not sure when that will be--Dr. predicts a week from Tues. at the very earliest.
My parents left on Sat. morning. They were a great help, but it seems as though Kev and I can handle things okay from this point on without having someone else physically present. The nurses have been wonderful. They all remember us from Feb./Mar. and are so sweet and caring. The ward was full when we were here before, and they were run ragged. They are at half capacity now, so response time, quality of care, etc. is better. (Donna, I passed your message on to Rose; she would like your email. Okay to give it to her?)
Tomorrow, we will be reunited with Alice--our down-the-hall pal from Feb. She is having follow surgery on Tues. Your prayers that all would go well for her would be very appreciated.
Will let you know when the NG comes out. There will much celebrating here!
Roni
Kevin is recovering well, though not as quickly as he would like. He still has the NG (Naso-Gastric) tube inserted to pump stomach fluids (prevents vomiting). It KILLS his throat, making it hard for him to rest. In order to shut the stomach down, he can't even swallow liquids, so his poor throat is also dry and hot. He doesn't speak unless he has absolutely has to--not even to make wise-cracks. His IV sedative does not relieve the throat pain, neither do numbing lozenges and spray.
Tomorrow they may try clamping the NG tube and see if he can avoid nausea for the day without it. If so, they may remove it Tuesday. Please pray that that thing can come out Tuesday at the latest!
They did remove the catheter this morning. One tube down; seven to go. Each time a tube comes out, mobility is a little easier. He started walking in the halls yesterday, and seems to have more strength and energy each day. I think he'd have more if he were not managing pain all the time.
Vital signs have remained strong and steady, healing of intestines and bowels seems to be progressing, white count has dipped slightly below normal, but Dr. Sugarbaker isn't worried. He says the milder chemo drug they used this time tends to kick in later down the road, so we still need to pray that Kevin will avoid a further decrease of his white count after leaving the hospital. Still not sure when that will be--Dr. predicts a week from Tues. at the very earliest.
My parents left on Sat. morning. They were a great help, but it seems as though Kev and I can handle things okay from this point on without having someone else physically present. The nurses have been wonderful. They all remember us from Feb./Mar. and are so sweet and caring. The ward was full when we were here before, and they were run ragged. They are at half capacity now, so response time, quality of care, etc. is better. (Donna, I passed your message on to Rose; she would like your email. Okay to give it to her?)
Tomorrow, we will be reunited with Alice--our down-the-hall pal from Feb. She is having follow surgery on Tues. Your prayers that all would go well for her would be very appreciated.
Will let you know when the NG comes out. There will much celebrating here!
Roni
Thursday, July 08, 2004
2 Days Post Up - Holding Steady
Yesterday Kevin sat up in a chair for more than an hour and a half (he was determined to do more than the one hour minimum doctors ordered). He nodded off a lot, but he stayed up! Getting out of and back into bed is a big acheivement. He hasn't gotten up yet today. Probably will do that when I get back to the room; we'll see if he can walk a bit.
He's being an excellent patient, and his nurses love him. What's not to love?
Kevin looks fabulous! I first time I saw him after surgery was at about 10:00 p.m. Tues. night. He looked healthy except for edema, and of course the tubes. His coloring is great. You should have seen the smile on his puffy face when I first saw him after the surgery and told him the ostomy reversal had gone beautifully! Wish I'd taken a picure!
He's very coherent when he's fully awake. He's experiencing more discomfort than pain, except for the very sore throat from the NG tube, making talking difficult. He's also exhausted, from a combination of: sedation from the pain meds; waking often; and what his body has been through. His vital signs have been within normal range and are fairly stable.
Kevin's digestive system seems to be working ahead of schedule, but I'll wait to report on that when I've had a chance to talk to the Drs. about it on next morning rounds. Otherwise, the most eventful thing so far was the migraine I suffered last night--think it was triggered by poor air quality. I went outside in the morning for "fresh" air. I should have realized when I could actually see the air that it wasn't so fresh. Thank you Beth El (my synagogue) for your prayers at last night's meeting. Headache is very much under control and I'm fully functional again. Once again, grateful my parents were here. Dad stayed with Kevin last night while I recovered at the hotel with Mom bringing me cold water and ginger ale.
As always, grateful for your support and prayers,
Roni
He's being an excellent patient, and his nurses love him. What's not to love?
Kevin looks fabulous! I first time I saw him after surgery was at about 10:00 p.m. Tues. night. He looked healthy except for edema, and of course the tubes. His coloring is great. You should have seen the smile on his puffy face when I first saw him after the surgery and told him the ostomy reversal had gone beautifully! Wish I'd taken a picure!
He's very coherent when he's fully awake. He's experiencing more discomfort than pain, except for the very sore throat from the NG tube, making talking difficult. He's also exhausted, from a combination of: sedation from the pain meds; waking often; and what his body has been through. His vital signs have been within normal range and are fairly stable.
Kevin's digestive system seems to be working ahead of schedule, but I'll wait to report on that when I've had a chance to talk to the Drs. about it on next morning rounds. Otherwise, the most eventful thing so far was the migraine I suffered last night--think it was triggered by poor air quality. I went outside in the morning for "fresh" air. I should have realized when I could actually see the air that it wasn't so fresh. Thank you Beth El (my synagogue) for your prayers at last night's meeting. Headache is very much under control and I'm fully functional again. Once again, grateful my parents were here. Dad stayed with Kevin last night while I recovered at the hotel with Mom bringing me cold water and ginger ale.
As always, grateful for your support and prayers,
Roni
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Surgery went well
Kevin's surgery lasted about six and a half hours. At the end of it, Dr. Sugarbaker said he was very happy with what he saw (& didn't see!) and with how well the procedure went. He's giving Kevin a good prognosis. As I'm writing this, Kevin is in the Anesthesia Recovery Unit.
Findings & procedures of today's surgery:
1. The "cyst" that showed up on the CT scan turned out to be nothing more than some lymphatic fluid that had collected due to missing lympnodes (taken out in last surgery) plus blockage from some scar tissue that had built up over the mesh left from hernia repair (7 years ago).
2. There was some recurrence of disease--mucus as well as cells the "shouldn't be there"--all confined to the left side of the abdomen. We'll know better what we're dealing with in about a week when the biopsy report comes back. However, the very good news is that the initial pathology tests done during surgery indicate that there are no signet ring cells* present
*the very aggressive nasty cancer that was present in October
3. The ostomy repair went beautifully! Can't wait to tell Kevin.
4. The spleen is still healthy and stayed put! Dr. S. felt that the scalloping was from previous mild pancreatitis.
5. The were lots of adhessions; most of the time spent in surgery was spent of cleaning those up. Dr. S. felt that there will likely be no long term complications from adhesions.
6. A small portion of the bowel had to be removed (because of adhesions), but Dr. S. said the amount is insignificant, and Kevin "will never miss it."
7. They did administer chemo during the surgery, but not the very potent melphalin Kevin had last time. The did the chemo stir for 60 mins. instead of the usual 90 becuase Dr. S. felt confident that 60 mins. was sufficient. They will not be doing follow up chemo washes--Dr. S. just doen't feel it's needed.
8. Hospital stay is expected to be 2 weeks (maybe less). Kevin lost very litttle blood, his vitals have been good, he's been stable. Unless anything changes, he will go straight from the Anesthesia Unit to his room sometime tonight, by-passing ICU.
Dr. Sugarbaker is happy, and therefore I am very happy.
There was a nerve-wracking period while we waited for the results of the pathology report to know whether some hard decissions about administering very potent chemo might have to be made, but thankfully, it turned out to be a non-issue. Never-the-less, I was very grateful to have my parents here with me as well as to be able to talk to and pray with my rabbi over the phone. It was also a comfort to know how many people said they would be praying... thank you!
Okay. Sleep for me! More later.
Love,
a grateful and exhausted Roni
Findings & procedures of today's surgery:
1. The "cyst" that showed up on the CT scan turned out to be nothing more than some lymphatic fluid that had collected due to missing lympnodes (taken out in last surgery) plus blockage from some scar tissue that had built up over the mesh left from hernia repair (7 years ago).
2. There was some recurrence of disease--mucus as well as cells the "shouldn't be there"--all confined to the left side of the abdomen. We'll know better what we're dealing with in about a week when the biopsy report comes back. However, the very good news is that the initial pathology tests done during surgery indicate that there are no signet ring cells* present
*the very aggressive nasty cancer that was present in October
3. The ostomy repair went beautifully! Can't wait to tell Kevin.
4. The spleen is still healthy and stayed put! Dr. S. felt that the scalloping was from previous mild pancreatitis.
5. The were lots of adhessions; most of the time spent in surgery was spent of cleaning those up. Dr. S. felt that there will likely be no long term complications from adhesions.
6. A small portion of the bowel had to be removed (because of adhesions), but Dr. S. said the amount is insignificant, and Kevin "will never miss it."
7. They did administer chemo during the surgery, but not the very potent melphalin Kevin had last time. The did the chemo stir for 60 mins. instead of the usual 90 becuase Dr. S. felt confident that 60 mins. was sufficient. They will not be doing follow up chemo washes--Dr. S. just doen't feel it's needed.
8. Hospital stay is expected to be 2 weeks (maybe less). Kevin lost very litttle blood, his vitals have been good, he's been stable. Unless anything changes, he will go straight from the Anesthesia Unit to his room sometime tonight, by-passing ICU.
Dr. Sugarbaker is happy, and therefore I am very happy.
There was a nerve-wracking period while we waited for the results of the pathology report to know whether some hard decissions about administering very potent chemo might have to be made, but thankfully, it turned out to be a non-issue. Never-the-less, I was very grateful to have my parents here with me as well as to be able to talk to and pray with my rabbi over the phone. It was also a comfort to know how many people said they would be praying... thank you!
Okay. Sleep for me! More later.
Love,
a grateful and exhausted Roni
Friday, July 02, 2004
More Good News. More Bad News.
With the surgery getting closer, we are getting some more information about the CT scans from this week. We sent the CT scan films and report to Dr. Sugarbaker so he would receive them today. Roni called and talked to Ilsa (Dr. Sugarbaker's wife and office manager).
So first the bad news.
Dr. Sugarbaker, after looking at the films, said, "That's not so bad." While that sounds like good news (and in a way it is), it also means that Dr. Sugarbaker will be using chemo during the surgery. This means a longer surgery and a longer recovery. Probably about 2-3 weeks in the hospital, instead of the one week we were hoping for.
Now the good news.
One of the main fears I have had was that the ostomy would be permanent. After the last surgery, Dr. Sugarbaker said it was only temporary and would be reversed during the next surgery (the one on July 6th). After hearing about the findings of the new CT scan, I was worried that somehow it would keep the ostomy from being reversed. When Roni spoke to Ilsa today, she asked if the ostomy would still be reversed and Ilsa said she would ask Dr. Sugarbaker. About 6 pm this evening, Ilsa called and said she had some good news. She said that Dr. Sugarbaker said it was his top priority to reverse the ileostomy. That was good news. I am not looking forward to another surgery and recovery, but having the ileostomy gone will be a big plus.
Now, we just pray that the surgery will go smoothly. The cystic mass will be benign and the recovery will go quickly.
We're looking forward to giving you some more good news in a few days.
Kevin
So first the bad news.
Dr. Sugarbaker, after looking at the films, said, "That's not so bad." While that sounds like good news (and in a way it is), it also means that Dr. Sugarbaker will be using chemo during the surgery. This means a longer surgery and a longer recovery. Probably about 2-3 weeks in the hospital, instead of the one week we were hoping for.
Now the good news.
One of the main fears I have had was that the ostomy would be permanent. After the last surgery, Dr. Sugarbaker said it was only temporary and would be reversed during the next surgery (the one on July 6th). After hearing about the findings of the new CT scan, I was worried that somehow it would keep the ostomy from being reversed. When Roni spoke to Ilsa today, she asked if the ostomy would still be reversed and Ilsa said she would ask Dr. Sugarbaker. About 6 pm this evening, Ilsa called and said she had some good news. She said that Dr. Sugarbaker said it was his top priority to reverse the ileostomy. That was good news. I am not looking forward to another surgery and recovery, but having the ileostomy gone will be a big plus.
Now, we just pray that the surgery will go smoothly. The cystic mass will be benign and the recovery will go quickly.
We're looking forward to giving you some more good news in a few days.
Kevin
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Good News - Not-So-Good News
Doctor’s Visit and Test Results
We met with Dr. Ratner today, Kevin’s oncologist, to review the results of blood work (for tumor markers) and a CT scan that Kevin had this week in preparation for Tuesday’s surgery. We had some good news and not-so-good news. First the good news:
Tumor Markers
Levels were normal indicating no malignancy present. These test are indicators and not 100% conclusive, but the results certainly are very encouraging.
Now the not-so-good news:
The CT scan:
• Chest – lungs, heart, etc. completely clear
• All lymph nodes appear normal except one (in abdominal cavity), which is just slightly enlarged (may just be result of inflammation).
• A “low density cystic mass along the peritoneal surface on the right lower quadrant”
-- 7.1x5.7 cm
-- Appears to be fluid filled
• “Scalloping” appears around Kevin’s spleen, indicating that there are possibly tumors growing on the outside of it
What does all this mean?
• The CT scan is inconclusive:
-- All we know is that there is a cyst and scalloping around the spleen that indicate PMP. This is our main concern right now.
-- CT scans don’t always show all cysts and tumors. We have heard of times when the surgeon opens up the patient and finds more tumor than what was indicated on the CT scan. We are praying that this is not the case with me.
Basically, there’s a lot we won’t really know until Dr. Sugarbaker completes the surgery on Tuesday.
• Carcinoma unlikely, or This doesn’t necessarily mean the cancer is back:
-- PMP is not always carcinogenic.
-- Carcinoma usually occurs as older tumors mutate. (Kevin likely had this disease for 6 years prior to the October emergency, his triple hernia being the first symptoms.) Any cysts/tumors there now developed only since the February surgery.
-- The tumor markers are negative and Kevin had two more rounds of systemic chemo post surgery (which kills cancer cells, but not PMP)
We will receive conclusive results of pathology reports about one week post-op.
• Not “new” PMP. Sometime vestiges of PMP (muscinous tumors) hide in the “nooks and crannies” of the abdomen. Dr. S. gives heated chemo during the surgery to kill whatever is “hiding.” Even so, sometimes there are too many layers for the chemo to fully penetrate; new cysts and tumors grow from whatever wasn’t eradicated.
The Goals of the Upcoming surgery (9:00 a.m. Tues. 7/6):
1) Exploratory. Dr. Sugarbaker will be able to have a real look and see what is going on.
2) Removal of the cyst and likely the spleen and enlarged lymph node along with adjacent lymph nodes and surrounding blood vessels (for pathology testing). The strange thing about the spleen is that last surgery, Dr. Sugarbaker said he was going to take it, but during the surgery said it looked fine and decided to leave.
3) If PMP confirmed, heated chemo wash will be administered (though not the intense melphalin Kevin had last time).
4) The ostomy reversal is expected to take place as planned -- Regardless of whether PMP is present, both Dr. Ratner and Ilsa feel as though Dr. Sugarbaker will likely still be able to reverse the ileostomy. We FedExed the CT scan films today. Roni is going to call Ilsa tomorrow to see if after reviewing them Dr. Sugarbaker feels that there is a possibility of delaying the ostomy reversal. (Please pray specifically that the reversal will take place.)
Recovery:
• If chemo is administered during surgery then longer hospital stay (2-3 weeks in total, barring complications).
• Possible additional chemo -- Dr. S. will decide post-surgery about standard five days of heated chemo pumped directly into the abdominal cavity
• If what appears on the CT scan turns out not to be PMP (or miraculously disappears!), then no chemo and a hospital stay of 5-7 days.
Please pray:
• That this will be the last battle in this war (which we are confident we will win), and that the cyst would even disappear, along with the scalloping on the spleen
• For wisdom and skill for Dr. Sugarbaker, his surgical team and all of the hospital’s care givers
• Pathology reports would show no cancer
• The ostomy will be reversed
• Comfort and peace for us and our family members, especially Kevin’s parents who are not able to come from Oregon.
• Safety for Roni’s parents as they drive up from NC to be with us
• Safety for our trip down (and blessings for the Valois who are driving us there!)
• Quick healing
• No complications
• Kevin to experience minimal pain and discomfort from all of the tubes (especially NG tube), needles, leg pumpers and everything else they do to poor hospital patients – also that he would get sleep, despite the daily and nightly parade of nurses, etc. that come through the room.
We met with Dr. Ratner today, Kevin’s oncologist, to review the results of blood work (for tumor markers) and a CT scan that Kevin had this week in preparation for Tuesday’s surgery. We had some good news and not-so-good news. First the good news:
Tumor Markers
Levels were normal indicating no malignancy present. These test are indicators and not 100% conclusive, but the results certainly are very encouraging.
Now the not-so-good news:
The CT scan:
• Chest – lungs, heart, etc. completely clear
• All lymph nodes appear normal except one (in abdominal cavity), which is just slightly enlarged (may just be result of inflammation).
• A “low density cystic mass along the peritoneal surface on the right lower quadrant”
-- 7.1x5.7 cm
-- Appears to be fluid filled
• “Scalloping” appears around Kevin’s spleen, indicating that there are possibly tumors growing on the outside of it
What does all this mean?
• The CT scan is inconclusive:
-- All we know is that there is a cyst and scalloping around the spleen that indicate PMP. This is our main concern right now.
-- CT scans don’t always show all cysts and tumors. We have heard of times when the surgeon opens up the patient and finds more tumor than what was indicated on the CT scan. We are praying that this is not the case with me.
Basically, there’s a lot we won’t really know until Dr. Sugarbaker completes the surgery on Tuesday.
• Carcinoma unlikely, or This doesn’t necessarily mean the cancer is back:
-- PMP is not always carcinogenic.
-- Carcinoma usually occurs as older tumors mutate. (Kevin likely had this disease for 6 years prior to the October emergency, his triple hernia being the first symptoms.) Any cysts/tumors there now developed only since the February surgery.
-- The tumor markers are negative and Kevin had two more rounds of systemic chemo post surgery (which kills cancer cells, but not PMP)
We will receive conclusive results of pathology reports about one week post-op.
• Not “new” PMP. Sometime vestiges of PMP (muscinous tumors) hide in the “nooks and crannies” of the abdomen. Dr. S. gives heated chemo during the surgery to kill whatever is “hiding.” Even so, sometimes there are too many layers for the chemo to fully penetrate; new cysts and tumors grow from whatever wasn’t eradicated.
The Goals of the Upcoming surgery (9:00 a.m. Tues. 7/6):
1) Exploratory. Dr. Sugarbaker will be able to have a real look and see what is going on.
2) Removal of the cyst and likely the spleen and enlarged lymph node along with adjacent lymph nodes and surrounding blood vessels (for pathology testing). The strange thing about the spleen is that last surgery, Dr. Sugarbaker said he was going to take it, but during the surgery said it looked fine and decided to leave.
3) If PMP confirmed, heated chemo wash will be administered (though not the intense melphalin Kevin had last time).
4) The ostomy reversal is expected to take place as planned -- Regardless of whether PMP is present, both Dr. Ratner and Ilsa feel as though Dr. Sugarbaker will likely still be able to reverse the ileostomy. We FedExed the CT scan films today. Roni is going to call Ilsa tomorrow to see if after reviewing them Dr. Sugarbaker feels that there is a possibility of delaying the ostomy reversal. (Please pray specifically that the reversal will take place.)
Recovery:
• If chemo is administered during surgery then longer hospital stay (2-3 weeks in total, barring complications).
• Possible additional chemo -- Dr. S. will decide post-surgery about standard five days of heated chemo pumped directly into the abdominal cavity
• If what appears on the CT scan turns out not to be PMP (or miraculously disappears!), then no chemo and a hospital stay of 5-7 days.
Please pray:
• That this will be the last battle in this war (which we are confident we will win), and that the cyst would even disappear, along with the scalloping on the spleen
• For wisdom and skill for Dr. Sugarbaker, his surgical team and all of the hospital’s care givers
• Pathology reports would show no cancer
• The ostomy will be reversed
• Comfort and peace for us and our family members, especially Kevin’s parents who are not able to come from Oregon.
• Safety for Roni’s parents as they drive up from NC to be with us
• Safety for our trip down (and blessings for the Valois who are driving us there!)
• Quick healing
• No complications
• Kevin to experience minimal pain and discomfort from all of the tubes (especially NG tube), needles, leg pumpers and everything else they do to poor hospital patients – also that he would get sleep, despite the daily and nightly parade of nurses, etc. that come through the room.
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