Success!!!!

The surgery is over and was a success!!! We are SO relieved. Dr. Botha was awesome and explained to us how it went. They took out all the huge scary tumors, including the pancreatic primary. They removed his gallbladder and also some lymph nodes.
They didn't see any other cancer on the colon or in the gut, so at this point the majority of remaining tumors are only in the remnant liver and are small ( but plentiful ). They will explore other options once he heals for treating these tumors. The big bad ones are gone, thank god. The photos of the surgery are totally disgusting, but Anthony wants me to post them anyway (always the documentarian). I will do that as soon as I get to a computer. The worst is over, but the hard and risky part is the next 24 hours during recovery. Keep the prayers coming ! Anthony will need them. I'm running only on adrenaline and caffiene, but I won't be able to rest until I see my Anthony this afternoon.

Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 22, 2010 at 7:30 AM

    Blessings to both of you--you are (and have been) in our thoughts and prayers.

    I'm not into blogs (except for reading yours) and haven't figured out before this how to respond.

    Joanne (for Joanne and Robert)

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousApril 22, 2010 at 9:58 AM

    Glad you had a successful surgery. You are going to heal great and in a few weeks you will feel better than ever!!
    Thanks for updating your blog!
    Sue, wife of Scott (islet cell, whipple 11/09)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Tickets to Germany: Bad Berka

Image
A blurred landscape photos for no good reason... We have our tickets for Germany. -Flying into Frankfurt arriving the morning of February 6th. On the 7th, we take the train to Bad Berka. Scan on the 8th. If the scan looks ok, we will proceed with surgery in Omaha with Dr. Botha. But before heading back to the US, we'll take the train to Berlin, and fly out from there on the 13th. If the scan is not so great, i.e., too many tumors in the liver to operate of extensive disease, we will see if I can stay for PRRT treatment. I'm not sure if this is an option at this time with respect to scheduling in the hospital, etc.... I still need to work out some logistics... that is, how does my surgeon in Nebraska review the imaging from the scan? When will a report be completed? That's all for now...
Read more

...a long winded story not written all that well.

Image
A cornfield somewhere in Wisconsin: Taken with a Horizon 35mm panormic: Taken just after a spell of severe stomach pains. October.2008 So, here it goes, from the beginning: I've had recurring stomach pains for at least 4 years. For those who know me well, I’m a relatively “high-strung” individual… Ok, maybe I’m borderline OCD? Initially, doctors thought these stomach pains might be related to anxiety? But sometime late in 2007, my pain slowly started to get worse. Well, I thought it must be an ulcer or something? At times, I’d have these attacks that would last for days, stabbing. When the pain started to become more frequent in November of 2008, Andrea forced me to see a doctor. The doctors initially thought it might be an ulcer, or, an issue with my gallbladder. I was sent for an ultrasound in early December 2008… and this is when it all began. During the ultrasound they noted that I might indeed have gallstones, for which an operation would be required. In addition, they n
Read more

On the refrigerator...

Image
Just three years ago I was officially diagnosed with Cancer. Happy Cancerversary!!! But hey, guess what? I'm still alive and well... Fu*k you Cancer! If my next MRI at the end of March shows stable disease, I will have had no progression in 1 year (Currently 10.25 months stable). Every day that I can spend with my wife, my work, friends and family, I'm happy. Now... Here we come Europe! We leave Sunday for Switzerland and Italy (Photobooth business abroad!).
Read more