IN RECOVERY...AGAIN

Mom's procedure is now over and they have put the drainage tubes in. Dad said that she is in recovery and feeling better. They took 600 cc (approx. 20 oz.) of fluids from the chest area and 50 from the liver cavity. Hopefully, this will ease the pain and help her breath better once again.

A MINOR SETBACK

Mom was doing well and has been taking her 3 laps around the halls of the hospital, but she has suffered a minor setback. The doctors assure us that it's minor. She has been having a hard time getting her breath. She had a fever that was up to 103 at times, and she was feeling quite a bit of pain. Because of the pain, difficult breathing, and high temperature, the doctors said that these were all indications of fluid being in places that it shouldn't be. She had to drink 2 cups of barium for breakfast (after not eating anything really since surgery. yuck.) and get another CT scan and chest x-ray. This definitely caused some nausea (even with the help of medication) and throwing up (this is not fun with sutures and healing). They found drainage fluid from her scar tissue under her right lung in the diaphragm and also below her diaphragm in the liver cavity, with leakage from her bile duct. They have to go back in and put a drain above the diaphragm and below the diaphragm. They will have to keep the drain in for another week. This should allow her to heal and get her lung capacity back and prevent infection. Apparently, this is somewhat common. They usually don't have to put drains in young and/or healthy individuals and they felt that mom fit in those categories. Dad said that mom was really discouraged this morning, but she's happier to know what the problem is so that she can start breathing better. Her surgery will be within the next couple of hours. It is more of a local anesthetic, so she won't be completely under, but enough to be comfortable for the procedure.

RECOVERING WELL

Mom is still recovering from surgery today. All is well, and there's nothing too major to report. All of her vital signs are still good, and we're hoping that the dopey drugs start to wear off more and more so that she can start to walk. Dad says that the care from the nursing staff has been phenomenal, and they're grateful to be there. Thanks for all of the prayers and support!

DONE

Mom's surgery is over. Dr. Abdallah said that it couldn't have gone any better. It was a picture perfect surgery, and he said that he isn't used to seeing such a healthy liver (my faith in the word of wisdom has been strengthened by this experience. I bet he hasn't seen many livers that have never filtered alcohol before). Mom is in recovery now and dad is hoping to be with her within an hour. We're so grateful for such good care. Phew. We'll let you know how mom is doing later on. For now, she has conquered another big step in her fight. Yay mom!

SO FAR SO GOOD

I just talked to dad. All is going well. The surgery itself got underway at 8:40 this morning, so she has been in surgery for almost 3 hours now. Her vital signs are good and, luckily, there isn't anything more to report. Dad will get another update in about 45 minutes.

INCREDIBLE NEWS - and update

I'm on the phone with mom right now and she just left her appointment with Dr. Abdallah. Her tumor has shrunk 2/3 of its original size, her CEA tumor count is negligible, and the Dr. will only have to remove 45% of her liver. He isn't going to have to cut any major arteries or veins. The Dr. was sooooo excited. He said mom's response to the chemotherapy was incredible. Mom asked him if that meant that she still needed to do follow-up chemo. His answer, "Yes. We're going to kill every d$#*! cancer cell in your body!" I think I like this guy! :)

As for the surgery, she has lots of prep work to do for the remainder of the day. It's similar to colonscopy prep (phew!). The surgery itself will take about 6 hours total (1.5 hours of it is prep). The doctors will give dad an update every 2 hours. Mom will get an epidural before sedation to help with the pain. Many of us ladies can relate to that one! :) HER SURGERY IS SCHEDULED FOR A 6:00 a.m. CHECK-IN TIME. PRAYERS. PRAYERS. PRAYERS...

We're so thankful and excited that mom is such a fighter and responding so well to her treatments. I have a feeling a lot of it has to do with the level of love, support, and prayers that she feels from all of you.

POKES AND PRODS TODAY

Mom had a busy day today at MD Anderson. They poked and prodded and drew lots and lots of blood in preparation for Wednesday. Tomorrow she has a few more tests, followed by an appointment with Dr. Aballah, the surgeon. If all is well, she'll have surgery on Wednesay, as planned, but we still don't know a specific time.

Mom is in good spirits, but definitely feeling a normal amount of anxiety. She gets to meet many patients while waiting for procedures, and some are just slightly stubborn and bitter about their whole predicament. It isn't extremely healthy to hang with the other patients, but luckily, she has dad at her side.

Many people have asked for Dane and Emily's address in Houston. If you want it, just email me at kvigoren@gmail.com and I'll give it to you.

Thanks for all of the support. We have a big week ahead, for sure!

AWESOME

We just returned from a wonderful time together in Sedona. Mom was way more strong and healthy and happy than we ever imagined. She promised us that she really did feel as good as she was acting, so we're very excited! She seems to be about as strong and healthy as one can be for surgery. She leaves tomorrow morning for Houston. She'll be doing a lot of prep-work for the surgery to remove 80% of her liver on Monday and Tuesday. Surgery is on Wednesday. Keep her in your prayers as she tackles the next stage of her fight!

CLEAN!

Mom just came out of her colonoscopy with great news! NOT ONE POLYP! She was clean and clear and now she's ready to eat and sleep! We're so happy that there isn't another colony of cancer to worry about. Phew! Good day today!

CHURCH AND COLONOSCOPY

Mom is recovering well! She felt good enough this last week that she was able to attend sacrament meeting yesterday for the first time in months. I think she is confident that her white blood cell count is high enough to be exposed a little bit more to the public.

Coincidentally, she is due for her routine colonoscopy at this time. Tomorrow she goes in for the procedure, so the last 3 days have been spent in preparation. Today she has to do the pure liquid breakfast, lunch, and dinner. She has to drink all kinds of gross liquids today. I can't believe how much torture her body has been through lately!

We're grateful that she has been so strong and healthy. She can eat cold things now, and her skin is gradually recovering. Her energy level is much higher too. Her hair has thinned dramatically, but luckily, it was thick and beautiful to begin, so she had some to spare.