Doing Better!
They’ve been really pushing the IV fluid into me today and it appears it’s finally begun working. My blood pressure is gradually going up and I’m producing more pee. Yay! And my pain has gone down. Double yay!
As far as the situation with the perfusion machine yesterday — it really was a complete freak thing. Dr. Esquivel is a very highly regarded expert and, as I wrote earlier, I don’t know the details of how it failed to work. It might have been something that they wouldn’t have normally tested ahead of time.
It actually may turn out to have been a blessing in disguise, anyway. If it turns out that I need systemic chemo, they generally want to do that BEFORE they do the HIPEC anyway, so…
My surgery went in unexpected directions in several ways. Dr. E. thought I’d almost certainly be needing at least a temporary ileostomy — but it turned out that my colon was in better shape than he’d expected. So, while I had a lot of goo, tumors, and adhesions — the only actual organ he had to remove was one he (and two previous surgeons) didn’t think I had: an appendix.
Posted by RebeccaHartong on July 20, 2011 under Health
You look good! Sorry about the pain. Thinking of you, Anne
You do look good! And … OK … if the equipment malfunction was a “blessing in disguise” I’ll be a little more forgiving. I still think it sounds a little “Sitcom-ish” (I’m picturing Lucy and Ethel running around the O.R. trying to get this contraption going … while surgeon Ricky stands there tapping his foot saying, “You got some ‘splaining to do Lucy!”) And what do you mean they didn’t think you HAD an appendix!? You didn’t know if you did? They couldn’t SEE it on ultrasound or some such test/picture? Good LORD woman, what other mysteries are you hiding in there?
Keep on keeping us posted on your progress. I’ll be busy this wk/end with Relay For Life … raising big bucks to make things like Hope Lodge available to folks like you/Mark … I’m also going to be part of a nation-wide Cancer Prevention Study – one of the registration points is at our very own Relay! – and I’m really excited about that! It might be MY information that helps find a cure for cancer. How cool would THAT
be? Anyway … I’ll continue checking here to see how you’re doing! Relax/rest and enjoy being waited on hand and foot!
Whew! well- not sure what to think about the malfunction, but the main thing is, you came through it ok and are doing fine, and now, even a tad better. major hurdle, successfully jumped! thanks to mark for the updates, and will be checking in periodically for sure. for now, just relax and HEAL!
brent
Hello and good to see that you are able to get on the computer again. Sorry about the pain, but glad to hear it’s moving in the right direction. I don’t think I could pull off that gown as sucessfully as you have in this picture! If it weren’t for the hospital tubes, I wouldn’t know you had been through surgery a few days ago!!
Glad you are feeling a bit better, and I hope progress continues quickly. Please let us know if there is anything you or Mark need.
Been waiting several days for an update … what’s going on? I hope you’re just “busy” relaxing and recovering! Off to Relay For Life for me. It’s pouring rain here – thankfully we’re inside our brand new “event center”! I’ll be thinking of you – especially today. Hugs and
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Jodie
How are you doing? I’ve been praying and thinking about you. Sorry to hear about the malfunction of the machine. What a bummer! Let us know what we can do to help. Does this mean you’ll be coming home sooner?
Thanks for the good vibes! Honestly, I’ve been feeling like crap the last few days. A fair amount of pain from intestinal cramping and no appetite whatsoever. I’m doing more hits of the painkiller and that makes me sleepy, thus the lack of communication. Sorry!
Hi Debbie! I’m still not sure when I’ll be coming home — maybe sooner. Harder to say. I’m not feeling very well and have no appetite, so I’m guessing it won’t be until that’s all cleared up that they’ll start talking about a discharge date.
Hi Becky,
Was wondering too and feared it was that you aren’t feeling well. Is it the: a few days after surgery, you feel worse? Healing perhaps? I hope that you feel better REALLY SOON.
Much love, Anne