Karen's doing well. Her procedure is done, it took all of 3 hours and it went fine. I was able to see her briefly. She was comfortable, very cold but in good spirits. She's in recovery now and will be transfered to a room soon.
I spoke to Dr. Kamienecke who did the procedure. He said it went fine, no surprises. They used two probes and got a good freeze on as much as possible. The tumor is close to her lung and some other warm blood vessels so they can't be sure the required freezing temperature was reached on those bits.
She'll stay at least tonight in St. Barnabas and hopefully be discharged tomorrow.
A PET scan will be scheduled for 3 months from now and only then will we know if we got it "deaded".
For now we'll take this as a result.
Showing posts with label recovery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label recovery. Show all posts
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Home from Overlook
After a long day waiting for Doctors, Karen's home from Overlook and back with her family where she belongs.
Please spare a prayer or good wish tonight for Maggie Weaver and her husband Chris. Maggie was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer (same as Karen) a few months before Karen. Chris and I connected through the websites soon after K was diagnosed in April of 2007. We've followed each other's journeys since then and the Weaver's have been of great support to Karen and I along the way.
Please stop by Maggie's website, read their story and offer whatever support you can.
Maggie's website: http://thumpers-hole.net
Please spare a prayer or good wish tonight for Maggie Weaver and her husband Chris. Maggie was diagnosed with stage IV colon cancer (same as Karen) a few months before Karen. Chris and I connected through the websites soon after K was diagnosed in April of 2007. We've followed each other's journeys since then and the Weaver's have been of great support to Karen and I along the way.
Please stop by Maggie's website, read their story and offer whatever support you can.
Maggie's website: http://thumpers-hole.net
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
3rd Hospital Stay Update
Karen has been in hospital since Monday. This is her third hospital stay (surgery, abscess and now this). She's in Overlook in Summit and they do a great job there.
The reason for this admission is the pain in her abdomen, near where her liver touches her lung on the right side. It's intense pain which she describes as a 10. They've been trying since Monday to diagnose the cause of the pain.
She had a CT scan on Monday and a 2nd yesterday. She's also had a chest X-Ray, an EKG and an ultra-sound on her legs. These were looking for a Pulmonary Embolism which is another name for a blood clot. It's been quite tense whilst this was going on as a PE could be very dangerous. At this time they've ruled that out.
She had blood taken on Monday and today is Wednesday. In 48 hours nothing has grown in the cultures and her white blood cells are normal. So infection has been ruled out.
Which leaves...air or fluid. The current theory is her liver is still regenerating and pushing itself back into place. There is a good bit of fluid in between her diaphragm and lungs. The liver pushing up puts this all under pressure. This makes breathing very painful.
If this is the cause she's been told she just has to ride it out.
I took the kids in for a surprise yesterday evening which gave her a lift. We thought she'd be home today but based on the pain situation that will not happen.
It's all very frustrating and overwhelming as we thought we'd be much further along by now. "Hold Fast" is a good motto, but it's not easy.
At this point she's comfortable with the hospital pain management and in good spirits but we're not sure when she'll be home.
The reason for this admission is the pain in her abdomen, near where her liver touches her lung on the right side. It's intense pain which she describes as a 10. They've been trying since Monday to diagnose the cause of the pain.
She had a CT scan on Monday and a 2nd yesterday. She's also had a chest X-Ray, an EKG and an ultra-sound on her legs. These were looking for a Pulmonary Embolism which is another name for a blood clot. It's been quite tense whilst this was going on as a PE could be very dangerous. At this time they've ruled that out.
She had blood taken on Monday and today is Wednesday. In 48 hours nothing has grown in the cultures and her white blood cells are normal. So infection has been ruled out.
Which leaves...air or fluid. The current theory is her liver is still regenerating and pushing itself back into place. There is a good bit of fluid in between her diaphragm and lungs. The liver pushing up puts this all under pressure. This makes breathing very painful.
If this is the cause she's been told she just has to ride it out.
I took the kids in for a surprise yesterday evening which gave her a lift. We thought she'd be home today but based on the pain situation that will not happen.
It's all very frustrating and overwhelming as we thought we'd be much further along by now. "Hold Fast" is a good motto, but it's not easy.
At this point she's comfortable with the hospital pain management and in good spirits but we're not sure when she'll be home.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Home (again)
Karen's doing well. She was discharged today and is home from hospital. She has a drain in ( a needle attached to a tube attached to a bag attached to her leg ) that'll remain until next Wednesday. Her appetite is good, no nausea and no vomiting which is a huge win. She'll have yet another CT scan next week along with a repeat chest X-Ray and a consultation with Chamberlain.
After a stressful week we're all breathing a sigh of relief to have her back home where she belongs.
After a stressful week we're all breathing a sigh of relief to have her back home where she belongs.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Re-Admitted to St Barnabas
Karen has been re-admitted to St. Barnabas due to an abscess on her liver. She's currently doing well.
It's been three weeks since surgery. In that time she has not had much of an appetite and her nausea has steadily increased. She spent much of the past week throwing up. This morning she had a scheduled CT scan and consultation with Dr Chamberlain (who has provided tremendous support to us in post-op).
The CT scan showed an almost fully regenerated cancer-free liver (a true medical miracle). However it also showed an abscess close to Karen's lung. As a result she was immediately admitted to hospital. This sucked as we weren't able to prep the kids and K didn't get to say goodbye to them. They're fine though.
Because the abscess was so close to her lungs, they didn't give anesthetic during the procedure as this would've impacted her breathing. So, lucky Karen had to suffer through the insertion of the drain "commando style". Very very painful.
Karen also has fluid in her lungs which is a minor cause for concern also. The team is monitoring this also.
In any case she's good now and will hopefully return home on Friday.
It's been three weeks since surgery. In that time she has not had much of an appetite and her nausea has steadily increased. She spent much of the past week throwing up. This morning she had a scheduled CT scan and consultation with Dr Chamberlain (who has provided tremendous support to us in post-op).
The CT scan showed an almost fully regenerated cancer-free liver (a true medical miracle). However it also showed an abscess close to Karen's lung. As a result she was immediately admitted to hospital. This sucked as we weren't able to prep the kids and K didn't get to say goodbye to them. They're fine though.
Because the abscess was so close to her lungs, they didn't give anesthetic during the procedure as this would've impacted her breathing. So, lucky Karen had to suffer through the insertion of the drain "commando style". Very very painful.
Karen also has fluid in her lungs which is a minor cause for concern also. The team is monitoring this also.
In any case she's good now and will hopefully return home on Friday.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Slow Recovery
Karen's home a couple of days now. We've been getting quite a few calls which tells me it's time to update the blog. She came home this week and the kids and I are very glad to have her back.
The situation is that Karen's on oral pain medication which works and doesn't work. She's still experiencing intense pain at times, other times it's tolerable. Moving around is very difficult and slow. She definitely can't be left in the house on her own. Imagine trying to move around without using your stomach muscles. It's hard to get comfortable for sleep with muscle cramps and the like although she's very tired. Her appetite is low with many things she just can't look at. She's getting by on sips and small bites whenever nausea and pain will allow. That's the bad news.
The good news is this is all to be expected and Chamberlain has assured us this is normal. As he put it, you might have one good day followed by three bad, don't get discouraged.
The kids are eager to jump on her and deliver their trademark crushing three-point-stance hugs which is just not an option right now.
Cynthia is here with us until Thursday which is a huge huge help and I will likely take some more time off until things improve.
The situation is that Karen's on oral pain medication which works and doesn't work. She's still experiencing intense pain at times, other times it's tolerable. Moving around is very difficult and slow. She definitely can't be left in the house on her own. Imagine trying to move around without using your stomach muscles. It's hard to get comfortable for sleep with muscle cramps and the like although she's very tired. Her appetite is low with many things she just can't look at. She's getting by on sips and small bites whenever nausea and pain will allow. That's the bad news.
The good news is this is all to be expected and Chamberlain has assured us this is normal. As he put it, you might have one good day followed by three bad, don't get discouraged.
The kids are eager to jump on her and deliver their trademark crushing three-point-stance hugs which is just not an option right now.
Cynthia is here with us until Thursday which is a huge huge help and I will likely take some more time off until things improve.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Last Update For A While
Karen's doing a little better today. I did not get to visit but instead spent the day with the kids. They are also doing well, probably better than we expected. I'm typing this up beside them as they play in the tub. (the key to daddy daycare is multi-tasking).
I did speak to Karen a few times so far today. She has moved out of ICU and I even heard she maneuvered into a chair which is another good sign. It's hard for her to speak on the phone for anything more than a minute or two. My guess is she's comfortable but definitely still needs the meds and PCA. Chamberlain was also by to visit and seems to be pleased with progress.
I will visit again tomorrow as we juggle sitters and such. It definitely helps to have the hospital within 30mins ride. There won't be much to report so this'll be the last update for a while. Don't be alarmed, no news is good news.
Don McCloud and Adam Beldycki have scans coming up soon and our thoughts will be with them in the anxious moments leading up their results.
Thanks again to all for the continued support it really has helped and we are very appreciative.
I did speak to Karen a few times so far today. She has moved out of ICU and I even heard she maneuvered into a chair which is another good sign. It's hard for her to speak on the phone for anything more than a minute or two. My guess is she's comfortable but definitely still needs the meds and PCA. Chamberlain was also by to visit and seems to be pleased with progress.
I will visit again tomorrow as we juggle sitters and such. It definitely helps to have the hospital within 30mins ride. There won't be much to report so this'll be the last update for a while. Don't be alarmed, no news is good news.
Don McCloud and Adam Beldycki have scans coming up soon and our thoughts will be with them in the anxious moments leading up their results.
Thanks again to all for the continued support it really has helped and we are very appreciative.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Post-Op Recovery
Karen's doing so-so. She's stable. She spent a number of hours in recovery last night. "Recovery" is the room where you go after surgery and you get one-on-one nurse care. Usually folks spend an hour max in there and then go to the ICU room. She was transferred out at 2AM so 13 hours for her. She's in ICU now.
I spent a good deal of the afternoon with her then came home to put kids to bed. Her blood pressure was very low, 74/43 at one point so everyone was on edge. After I left they started giving her a blood transfusion and so far she's had 4 bags of plasma and 3 bags of red cells.
She's also been getting Saline, Magnesium, Calcium and other stuff. She has a lot of tubes still in. Until this morning she had a stomach-drain in which sucks the contents of your stomach out through your nose! K said that was horrible coming out. She still has an epidural, a mainline in her collar bone and a number of other things. Her mainline is covered in a crazy-glue type tape which in her drugged up state she tried to scratch off.
Her blood sugar was high yesterday (the liver helps control this) and so she's been getting insulin. Ironically they don't want her sugar going too low either so they've been giving her dextrose through IV. We've been waiting on a pain pump since this morning but pain is reasonably under control through the epidural and dilaudin. I am "escalating" this one.
It's very hard for her to get comfortable.
Aetna insurance called today. That's under control.
A number of folks asked me about visiting. It's not a great idea at the moment. K's in the Intensive Care Unit probably until tomorrow or Friday. You need to be buzzed in, patients are limited, can't bring food or flowers in with you and so on. In a couple days she'll be in a regular unit and that will be a different story.
So recovery is tough, but we knew that. Easy for me to say. This is when "Hold Fast" definitely applies. The first hurdle of surgery is over but we still have some tough road to travel. We'll get there.
I spent a good deal of the afternoon with her then came home to put kids to bed. Her blood pressure was very low, 74/43 at one point so everyone was on edge. After I left they started giving her a blood transfusion and so far she's had 4 bags of plasma and 3 bags of red cells.
She's also been getting Saline, Magnesium, Calcium and other stuff. She has a lot of tubes still in. Until this morning she had a stomach-drain in which sucks the contents of your stomach out through your nose! K said that was horrible coming out. She still has an epidural, a mainline in her collar bone and a number of other things. Her mainline is covered in a crazy-glue type tape which in her drugged up state she tried to scratch off.
Her blood sugar was high yesterday (the liver helps control this) and so she's been getting insulin. Ironically they don't want her sugar going too low either so they've been giving her dextrose through IV. We've been waiting on a pain pump since this morning but pain is reasonably under control through the epidural and dilaudin. I am "escalating" this one.
It's very hard for her to get comfortable.
Aetna insurance called today. That's under control.
A number of folks asked me about visiting. It's not a great idea at the moment. K's in the Intensive Care Unit probably until tomorrow or Friday. You need to be buzzed in, patients are limited, can't bring food or flowers in with you and so on. In a couple days she'll be in a regular unit and that will be a different story.
So recovery is tough, but we knew that. Easy for me to say. This is when "Hold Fast" definitely applies. The first hurdle of surgery is over but we still have some tough road to travel. We'll get there.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
New Year Post
Karen's doing well. A Happy New Year to all for 2008. We hope everyone had a peaceful and enjoyable Christmas holiday.
I have not posted in a while and it's time for an update; Karen's incision opened as I mentioned in a previous post, just about an inch or 1.5 inches, not bad for an 8" incision.
Chemo cannot start until the wound is closed. We are being visited every two days by a nurse and Karen is wearing a VAC or Vacuum Assisted Closure device. Essentially a pump about the size of 3 VHS tapes side-by-side. It is attached to the opening by a long line of tubing. The pump maintains a negative pressure on the wound by sucking every few mins. That stimulates blood flow and so on. It seems to be working despite the incredible inconvenience.
We got a short-notice appt tomorrow with Dr Moriarty to discuss who know what. There's not much he can say until the next round of scans and they have not been scheduled just yet. Another couple of weeks and we'll have a plan to move forward.
The waiting is not easy but we continue to receive strong support from all around us.
I have not posted in a while and it's time for an update; Karen's incision opened as I mentioned in a previous post, just about an inch or 1.5 inches, not bad for an 8" incision.
Chemo cannot start until the wound is closed. We are being visited every two days by a nurse and Karen is wearing a VAC or Vacuum Assisted Closure device. Essentially a pump about the size of 3 VHS tapes side-by-side. It is attached to the opening by a long line of tubing. The pump maintains a negative pressure on the wound by sucking every few mins. That stimulates blood flow and so on. It seems to be working despite the incredible inconvenience.
We got a short-notice appt tomorrow with Dr Moriarty to discuss who know what. There's not much he can say until the next round of scans and they have not been scheduled just yet. Another couple of weeks and we'll have a plan to move forward.
The waiting is not easy but we continue to receive strong support from all around us.
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