friday, january 22, 2010
Pleasant People
You know, I bet it takes a lot to still be willing to answer a bunch of questions right after you've performed a 5-6 hour surgery and spent the day in clinic. McGreeky is just a pleasant guy. Dan had a CT today and rather than making us wait until tomorrow to hear the results, the surgeon came on over and listened to us. Patiently. Listening might do more for calming a person that having all the right answers at that moment.
The CT provided comforting results that the excess fluid floating around has lessened by half and there appear to be no signs of additional infection. Good news.
Dan and I asked about his hematocrit that has dropped rather than increased and about the leaky pancreas. The hematocrit levels are blamed upon Dan's chemo a couple years back and on the toll of hospitalization. The pancreas drainage is still chugging along, though it might be losing some steam. McGreeky was humble enough to admit that things are not going as quickly as he would have expected, but also told us he was being as aggressive as possible (without opening him back up). Yet, he thinks the rate will decrease and the worst of the dangers are behind us. He said to cross our fingers, but we'll stick to praying.
McGreeky also mentioned that he wants Dan to fully heal before going ahead with the next step of the surgery. Instead of 2-3 months, he's thinking more 4 months.
My nervous mind makes me worried...I graduate in 4 months. So, hopefully, we can talk the doc into doing the surgery at least a month before May 29 or waiting until after. I don't think I could walk without Dan there...he's how I got through nursing school! Before anyone starts telling me "Slow down, stop worrying, my goodness, blah blah blah." I know! At least if I vocalize this concern, I can be joined in prayer for it right?
Another group of pleasant people also visited: the Sizeloves! They brought all the kids and sat at the front lobby of the hospital so they could see Dan (kids aren't allowed in the hospital due to H1N1). Mark and Rachel were thrilled to finally see Dan, since they've only seen me these past few weeks. The kids even packed us a present bag: play-do, hot wheels, bubbles, a puzzle and a book. They drew us pictures, which now decorate our wall. I'm not sure we can ever express how thankful we are for Laura and Jon. They have never failed to open their home to us while at Stanford. Such a blessing. I hope someday, Dan and I can be just as hospitable as they.
Anyway, this is the 3rd blog in one day. Phew. Unless something major happens, I'll update more tomorrow.
Prayer Requests:
* Healing of pancreas and wound
* Recuperation of Dan's bone marrow (for hematocrit)
* Wisdom for planning the next surgery
* Rest for the surgeons (they look tired!)
* God to be glorified through us and this situation
* School scheduling, etc.
Praises:
* Good news from CT
* Patient doctors
* Encouraging friends
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 4:57 PM 0 comments
Path Report
We forgot to share the the pathology report came back from Dan's tumors!
The lab is still having a difficult time determining the exact kind of cancer Dan has and has sent some samples to Johns Hopkins for a consult. The pancreatic tumor was fairly active, though encapsulated to make it behave a little better.
2 liver tumor samples showed just scar tissue and DEAD tumor tissue. The other 2 liver tumor samples showed mostly scar tissue with a small amount of necrotic cancer. That means his liver had a nearly complete response to the chemo and radiation.
The surgeons saw some swollen lymph nodes beneath the pancreas and believed that the cancer may have spread to the lymph system (very bad). They removed 22 nodes...and NONE had any trace of cancer. Yay!
The doctor is very pleased with the report and pointed out that the most active cancer is gone along with its margins.
That being said, one more small procedure and one more large surgery could make Dan a cancer-free man. Whoa!
Posted by Dan and Ashley at 1:36 PM 0 comments
Today is yesterday's tomorrow.
I tried to get Dan to write this since he wrote such a great blog yesterday, but...no luck. You're stuck with me.
Today is much like yesterday and the day before yesterday and the day before that.
Dressing changes show a wound that is healing, just very slowly. The skin and adipose tissue looks very healthy but the fascia (tough under-layer) is healing with some holes. Thus, Dan will have a hernia when the wound closes up. Luckily, he's having another surgery in the near future (the other half of the liver resection) in which they will fix the hernia and shrink some of the scar. The docs still want to put a wound vac on him, but are waiting for the slow-like-molasses-in-snow wound to clean up and look nice. No point trapping infection inside under a sponge and suction!
The drains may have slowed a touch last night. One of them went for 8 hours with nothing! And then drained faster to catch up with its twin. Dan is on a medication called octreotide to lessen the secretions, which has been increased in dosage 3 times already. Between that and the NPO status, his pancreas should stop throwing a hissy fit soon.
McGreeky announced that discharge will not be until midweek next week. Dan will most likely go home on TPN at nights and clear liquids in the day time. He's thrilled (note sarcasm), but wants to go home regardless. So, we will have two additions to our little family: Mr. Wound Vac and Mr. TPN.
Right now, I am discussing with case management where home health needs to be. We thought we would be going to Santa Rosa for a week to recuperate before going to La Mirada, but as this hospitalization has grown longer--the beginning of school for me has grown closer. I may need to miss a couple of the first days (if you know me, you know I'm bummed), but we hope to get to our apartment as soon as is safe. Luckily, Biola's nursing program has surrounded Dan and me with prayer and support and is doing everything possible to help me graduate on time.
For those of you concerned that we are going to be in SoCal alone, we will not be alone. We live in a complex filled with wonderful families who have offered to help us in anyway possible. Additionally, I work at a hospital on a surgical floor where I believe I can find answers to questions that arise. Also, I'm in nursing school surrounded with wonderful and skilled nurses. Finally, Stanford is always a phone call away (and a quick airplane ride if necessary). Psychologically, Dan feels he wound heal better in our apartment. He needs some normalcy. If for some reason, something comes up that would necessitate staying in Northern California, however, we have enough wisdom to do what is best for Dan's health.
Today will hopefully provide some good news as to the collection of fluid in Dan's abdomen. He is currently drinking more contrast fluid for another CT. This one will be before 1 am! McGreeky is specifically checking to see of the small abcess has resolved or if there is anything else to "go after" in his abdomen. We are praying for only good results. No more setbacks!
Thank you for all the prayers and support you have given us. From cards to games to food (for me) to flowers (thanks, Mama!), your love is very apparent.
You will note that I am now including praises to the Lord. Many prayers have been answered. To God be the glory.
Prayer Requests:
* Clear, good results on the CT today
* Drying up of the pancreatic drains!!!
* Continued wound healing and start of wound vac
* Flexibility and understanding of the case managers and doctors in d/c planning
* Encouraging news
* Release from the hospital in time for me to begin school on February 1st
(We can be surrendered to God's timing and still hope and ask for expeditiousness)
Praises:
* Safe surgery despite its length
* Very excellent pathology report
* No VRE/MRSA in wound
* No increase in drainage last night
* Encouragement from family/friends
* A private room for me to stay with Dan (and a shower!)
* Compassionate nurses and excellent doctors
* The Great Physician is in control
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