Just got back from the OR - Final Update

[waggy]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: Megatomic
Update 4: Just got back from the surgical consult. The surgeon showed us a tumor on the tail end of her pancreas that is almost perfectly round and the size of a racquetball. The good news is that it is more than likely not malignant and definitely not the sort of tumor that would be worst case as she'd already be dead. The bad news is that he is unqualified to do the operation and referred us to another physician in Fort Worth who is eminently qualified to do this work.

A possible outcome of the surgery is that she'll lose her spleen due to the location of the tumor. But vaccinations will nullify any negative impact that might impose.

We get to see the next doctor on Thursday at 3:30, I'll update again then. Thanks for the prayers and well wishes everyone!

this is good news. who needs a spleen anyway?!

hope the surgery goes smooth.

woot! yeah sounds like good news! really hope the sugery goes great!

 

[Megatomic]

Well, I think the news is mostly positive as the surgeon (himself highly recommended, though not for pancreas work) is highly confident that it's not malignant. Up until today our imaginations were running wild with the possibility of it being malignant, now that possibility is remote. Maybe that's just me trying to see the silver lining behind the dark cloud.

 

[Pacfanweb]

Very glad to hear the "good" news. Hoping she recovers fully.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Bummer. Give her a big hug. RIGHT NOW!

 

[Megatomic]

Update 5: Well, we saw surgeon #2 today. This one has excellent bedside manner, very open and very qualified too. Turns out she has to have 2 more tests done before surgery can happen. One is a pancreas specific CT scan with contrast, they'll have a 3D picture of her pancreas when that test is done and that's going to be done Monday morning. The other test is an endoscopic ultrasound. They'll take a biopsy while that's being done.

We did learn several negative things today: she's going to lose at least 2/3 of her pancreas which may or may not render her diabetic. We also learned that there is a good chance that she'll lose the spleen. The tumor is growing into the spleenic (sp?) artery which makes it much more difficult as far as the spleen goes.

One other interesting tidbit we were told is that she DID have a kidney stone after all, and that's what's causing most of the pain she's having. It's too small to do anything about and it'll pass on it's own. One is already passing and is midway down the urethra.

So, if we can get both tests done on Monday or Tuesday then the chances are good that she'll have the surgery next week. I hope she can get it done next week, she's more than ready and it would be nice to be on the recovery side of this ordeal.

I'll post more as I find more out.

 

[Megatomic]

Update 6: Last Friday a gastroenterologist at Baylor Univ. Hospital did a biopsy and an endoscopic ultrasound of the tumor. We just got the results - it's definitely cancer though thankfully it is a slow growing variant. Oddly enough, we know less now that we thought we knew a few weeks ago. The tumor is 5.5cm by 5cm and it is unknown whether it originated on the stomach or the pancreas. We do know that she for sure will lose part of her stomach, and probably some of the pancreas and maybe the spleen.

It's also unknown whether or not they'll be able to do it all by laproscope, they'll start off that way but if they find lots of malignancy when they go in they may have to open her up. She'll be in the hospital for a week best case, maybe two if things go poorly. Also, the date of the surgery is unknown, but it looks like it may happen on the 30th of June.

My wife just can't ever be healthy. This is the second round of cancer for her, and last year she had a stroke. How she's not a drunk or drug addict after all this I just don't know.

 

[Beev]

 

[rasczak]

Keep your spirits up mega. ATOT has your back and will be here for you.

 

[sdifox]

Hang in there.

 

[rh71]

One challenge at a time.. at least there seem to be resolutions to each so far.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

While not the most important organ, still sucks to lose a spleen mosh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spleen

Helps fight some infections

 

[BoomerD]

Damn. Do the doctors offer a decent chance for her after the surgery?

My heart goes out to ya both.

 

[kranky]

Megatomic, I will be praying for Kristy. Please keep us updated.

 

[James3shin]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
How she's not a drunk or drug addict after all this I just don't know.

You know how, because she has a loving family. I'm not trying to be sappy, but that's really how it goes. I hope your wife has a speedy and full recovery.

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: kranky
Megatomic, I will be praying for Kristy. Please keep us updated.

this.

sorry to hear the latest news.
your wife has been through so much (and you too). it's not fair at all, but try to stay positive.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: BoomerD
Do the doctors offer a decent chance for her after the surgery?

She's got a better than 50% chance that they'll be able to surgically remove all the cancerous tissue. And her biggest dangers are the typical things: anesthesia, infection, leakage of the organs into surrounding tissues. For many years to come she'll have regularly scheduled CT Scans to check for new growths.

Speaking of new growths, one thing I forgot to mention in my update is that the endoscopic imaging test found some "cysts" on her liver. The doctor doesn't know what they are or low long they've been there - he's going to look at them when he goes in to remove the tumor. If those cysts have spread from the pancreas, things won't be looking good at all. If they're normal cysts then there's no problem, the doctor said they can be normally occurring growths with that pose no danger.

Thanks for the support everyone, it means a lot.

 

[ICRS]

Don't forget to tell your wife to set up a trust and a will, she doesn't have much time left. Also make sure you understand what she wants to have done with her remains (creamated, burried, ect). This is all for precaution ofcourse. It is always good to be prepared for the worst.


But hope your wire makes a full recovery.

 

[Skeeedunt]

Best wishes for the both of you.

 

[Kadarin]

I'm sorry to hear the update, and wish you both the best.

 

[dmcowen674]

Originally posted by: Megatomic

Thanks for the support everyone, it means a lot.

Pulling for her too.

 

[Bignate603]

I'm really sorry to hear what you're going through. My grandfather made it through three rounds of cancer. Twice with leukemia (he had it come back over 5 years later, make sure she goes to her scheduled check ups! he got lucky and it was caught fast the second time) and once with prostate cancer.

He's doing great now. It can be done. Hold in there.

 

[ForumMaster]

i wish the best of luck for your wife. cancer is a terrible thing. may she recover. she'll be in my prayers.

 

[Damn Dirty Ape]

Did miss where her age was mentioned?

 

[dethman]

i wish the best for you and your family. cancer has struck my family a number of times now and it gets worse each time.

 

[manlymatt83]

Praying for you guys.