September 29,2010 Wednesday.....This is the day we have been waiting for, my appointment with Dr. Curley and his team to find out the final results of my surgery. They released me from the hospital on Saturday a day earlier than anticipated, I think that having such an attentive personal nurse made all the difference. The official pathology report showed that the chemo had been effective in reducing the size of tumors by 50%, he removed them and also two other shadows which he then used radioablation therapy on. The rate of reacurrance when he does that is less than 2 %. So, bottom line is I have been richly blessed by your thoughts and prayers and great medical treatment. Dr.Curley recommended more chemo after I have throughly recovered from this surgery (probably after the new year.) He wants me to see him in December right after Christmas for my first follow-up.
I can return to work, with some restrictions beginning next week. Brian and I will be flying back to Alaska on Saturday.
My surgery and hospital stay were probably the hardest thing I have been through. I experienced anxiety and pain which I have never experienced before.
I will be back later with more about how the past two weeks have gone. Evelyn
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Monday, September 20, 2010
Surgery Today
Hi everyone,
This is Heather, my mom asked me to post an update for her when she got out of liver resection surgery, which she just did. I will let her share the details of her operation later, because I'd probably get something wrong, but the doctor said that she did great and things were looking good. When I talked to my dad he was just waiting for the OK to go see her in recovery. He sounded relieved and at peace about things. The doctor said that it looked like her cancer had responded well to the chemo she'd had and he feels really optimistic about things. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers-- I know they have helped so much. I am so happy to have this major surgery over with!
This is Heather, my mom asked me to post an update for her when she got out of liver resection surgery, which she just did. I will let her share the details of her operation later, because I'd probably get something wrong, but the doctor said that she did great and things were looking good. When I talked to my dad he was just waiting for the OK to go see her in recovery. He sounded relieved and at peace about things. The doctor said that it looked like her cancer had responded well to the chemo she'd had and he feels really optimistic about things. Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers-- I know they have helped so much. I am so happy to have this major surgery over with!
Saturday, September 18, 2010
I left Heather and the babies at the airport at Cleveland in a torrential rain storm and with lots of tears. I am thinking we won't see each other again until at least Christmas and maybe longer. However,it was so nice to have that time with them. I feel that I know Abbie and William better and that they are much more comfortable with me.
I was excited to have Brian waiting for me at the airport in Houston and to have sometime with him. He is so good to me.
On Friday, after blood tests, an ekg, more blood tests, a visit with the anesthesiologist and with Dr. Curley I was scheduled for surgery for sure on Monday at 11:00. During the surgery the doctor will do an ultra sound on my liver and take out any tumors he can find, large and microscopic. He will also be taking out my gall bladder and any lymph nodes that are supicious. The surgery will take at least three hours and if all goes well I may be able to leave the hospital on Friday.
Brian and I spent Saturday exploring some of the back roads of Houston and eating some very good mexican food. Today we went to church with the Halliday family and for a walk in Herman Park, an area with beautiful gardens, a zoo and a museum. We got caught in another torential rainstorm which was warm and refreshing. It has been a long time since we went walking in the rain and it was sweet.
Right now I am drinking lots of clear liquids and having nothing to drink after midnight. Not my favorite past time but I feel so blessed to be able to have this surgery at this time. I am feeling a little aprehensive but I am also confident that things will go well. How could they not with all the support and prayers from family and friends and many I do not know.
I was excited to have Brian waiting for me at the airport in Houston and to have sometime with him. He is so good to me.
On Friday, after blood tests, an ekg, more blood tests, a visit with the anesthesiologist and with Dr. Curley I was scheduled for surgery for sure on Monday at 11:00. During the surgery the doctor will do an ultra sound on my liver and take out any tumors he can find, large and microscopic. He will also be taking out my gall bladder and any lymph nodes that are supicious. The surgery will take at least three hours and if all goes well I may be able to leave the hospital on Friday.
Brian and I spent Saturday exploring some of the back roads of Houston and eating some very good mexican food. Today we went to church with the Halliday family and for a walk in Herman Park, an area with beautiful gardens, a zoo and a museum. We got caught in another torential rainstorm which was warm and refreshing. It has been a long time since we went walking in the rain and it was sweet.
Right now I am drinking lots of clear liquids and having nothing to drink after midnight. Not my favorite past time but I feel so blessed to be able to have this surgery at this time. I am feeling a little aprehensive but I am also confident that things will go well. How could they not with all the support and prayers from family and friends and many I do not know.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Things are still going as planned.
I will be flying back to Houston on Thursday the 16th, getting blood tests and seeing the doctor on Friday to make sure I am fit for surgery. My surgery is on the 20th of September and I should be back in Wasilla if all goes well on October 2 or 3rd. I am feeling so good. I am supposed to be getting lots of exercise and I am, I just don't think it is the kind of exercise the doctor was thinking of. Painting the nursery and the kitchen and running up and down three flights of stairs and going for walks with the grand kids at least once if not twice a day is the kind of exercise I am getting. After climbing the stairs the first few days I was so stiff I could hardly move up and down normally. I was moving up and down them like 20 month old Will, holding onto the rail, two feet on each step, not alternating. Now I go up and down them with little effort unless I am carrying something and the two babies are trying to go up or down with me at the same time.
Heather and Jared went to Palmyra New York on Friday with their ward and I stayed home with the babies. I told them they needed sometime together before the next little one arrives. They won't be having much time to themselves after that. The baby is due on the 4th of October, although Jared is thinking he will come early.
Today, after church and a nap Abbie and Will and I made an Oatmeal cake. Abbie who will be three on the 30th of October especially enjoyed the activity, stirring and tasting and pouring in the ingredients. William who is 20 months is more into tasting and touching everything with his hands, having a sensory experience. The cake turned out well and Abbie enjoyed helping me cut it and serving everyone a piece. You should have seen her smile. When I ask Abbie to do something she often says to me, "if you insist grandma, if you insist," with a twinkle in her eye.
She also tells us that she is growing fast so she can have roller skates soon.
I have enjoyed my time with them.
Something interesting, when I first arrived in Cleveland I got a cold. Which was frustrating because I knew I needed to get over it quickly so it didn't wear me down and so I could still have surgery on the 20th. My colds often last at least a week if not 10 days. So I brewed some of my Essiac tea and drank it 3 times a day for a few days and drank 1/2 of a lemon in a quart of water twice a day. My cold was gone in 4 days!!!! I was amazed. I know my sister-in-law says Essiac is good for colds, and sore throats and whatever ails you, as well as helping the immune system and fighting cancer and I am beginning to believe her.
The nursery is almost finished and so is the kitchen all that's left are the details. Heather and I are hoping to get all of the painting done tomorrow and we will work on curtains and decorations on Tuesday and Wednesday. It has been a great change of pace and lots of fun.
I will be flying back to Houston on Thursday the 16th, getting blood tests and seeing the doctor on Friday to make sure I am fit for surgery. My surgery is on the 20th of September and I should be back in Wasilla if all goes well on October 2 or 3rd. I am feeling so good. I am supposed to be getting lots of exercise and I am, I just don't think it is the kind of exercise the doctor was thinking of. Painting the nursery and the kitchen and running up and down three flights of stairs and going for walks with the grand kids at least once if not twice a day is the kind of exercise I am getting. After climbing the stairs the first few days I was so stiff I could hardly move up and down normally. I was moving up and down them like 20 month old Will, holding onto the rail, two feet on each step, not alternating. Now I go up and down them with little effort unless I am carrying something and the two babies are trying to go up or down with me at the same time.
Heather and Jared went to Palmyra New York on Friday with their ward and I stayed home with the babies. I told them they needed sometime together before the next little one arrives. They won't be having much time to themselves after that. The baby is due on the 4th of October, although Jared is thinking he will come early.
Today, after church and a nap Abbie and Will and I made an Oatmeal cake. Abbie who will be three on the 30th of October especially enjoyed the activity, stirring and tasting and pouring in the ingredients. William who is 20 months is more into tasting and touching everything with his hands, having a sensory experience. The cake turned out well and Abbie enjoyed helping me cut it and serving everyone a piece. You should have seen her smile. When I ask Abbie to do something she often says to me, "if you insist grandma, if you insist," with a twinkle in her eye.
She also tells us that she is growing fast so she can have roller skates soon.
I have enjoyed my time with them.
Something interesting, when I first arrived in Cleveland I got a cold. Which was frustrating because I knew I needed to get over it quickly so it didn't wear me down and so I could still have surgery on the 20th. My colds often last at least a week if not 10 days. So I brewed some of my Essiac tea and drank it 3 times a day for a few days and drank 1/2 of a lemon in a quart of water twice a day. My cold was gone in 4 days!!!! I was amazed. I know my sister-in-law says Essiac is good for colds, and sore throats and whatever ails you, as well as helping the immune system and fighting cancer and I am beginning to believe her.
The nursery is almost finished and so is the kitchen all that's left are the details. Heather and I are hoping to get all of the painting done tomorrow and we will work on curtains and decorations on Tuesday and Wednesday. It has been a great change of pace and lots of fun.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Good News!!!!
We met with Dr.Curley on Wednesday, September 1, to find out how the tests went and when and if I was still eligible for the liver resection surgery. His waiting area was full of people, many were older than we were, some were younger, a few were a lot younger and they were all there hoping to be able to have liver resection surgery. One gentleman we met was going back home to get more Chemo to see if he could reduce the number of tumors he had and their size even more so he could qualify. Another young man had developed tumors in his lungs and was waiting to see how the doctor would handle that.So we were hoping for the best, but scared to death at the same time. Brian was so nervous he took two of his high blood pressure pills.
First I was called back to get my vitals checked. My blood pressure was even a little higher than usual for me and my stomach was rumbling. Next they put us in the coldest exam room in the building where we waited, first for the nurse, who went over all of my basic medical information again, next for the PA who came in and asked about the chemo I had had and all of the side effects I had experienced, she also told us the results of the blood tests and the CT scan. MY CEA which is a tumor marker, a possible indicator that your tumors are growing was back to normal!! The two tumors in my liver were reduced in size, my lymph nodes had stayed the same and the lesions from my first surgery were still improving!!! Wow we couldn't have received better news, it was what we had hoped for. After the PA left we had a prayer and thanked our Heavenly Father for His blessings to us and for all of those who have been there for us, for their prayers and thoughts and love. Finally, Dr. Curley arrived. He indicated that I was ready for the surgery except that my liver needed some more time to heal from the Chemo. Two weeks. If he did the surgery sooner than that the liver might not heal as quickly and there would be a greater chance of infection. Surgery was scheduled for the 20th of Sept. but I will need to be back in Houston on the 17th for tests. He will be taking the right lobe and it will grow back in 6 weeks. I will be in the hospital 5-6 days and another week recuperating before going home.
I left for Heather's Wednesday afternoon to visit for those two weeks and to help her get ready for the new baby. I won't be there this time to help her when the baby comes but Jared's mother is coming thank goodness. Brian is back in Wasilla where he is preparing to head into the interior to sell boots until we meet in Houston probably on the evening of the 16th.
Today the babies and I went for a nature walk, picking up rocks and sticks and dandelions and acorns and bird feathers and mushrooms along the way. We played in the baby pool in the back yard, and read books. I helped Heather hook up the new dishwasher and the dryer vent. We are going to begin painting the nursery tomorrow. I feel so good. I haven't felt this good for a long long time. I am so grateful to have this time with Heather and Jared and Abbie and Will. Life is wonderful. Goodnight.
We met with Dr.Curley on Wednesday, September 1, to find out how the tests went and when and if I was still eligible for the liver resection surgery. His waiting area was full of people, many were older than we were, some were younger, a few were a lot younger and they were all there hoping to be able to have liver resection surgery. One gentleman we met was going back home to get more Chemo to see if he could reduce the number of tumors he had and their size even more so he could qualify. Another young man had developed tumors in his lungs and was waiting to see how the doctor would handle that.So we were hoping for the best, but scared to death at the same time. Brian was so nervous he took two of his high blood pressure pills.
First I was called back to get my vitals checked. My blood pressure was even a little higher than usual for me and my stomach was rumbling. Next they put us in the coldest exam room in the building where we waited, first for the nurse, who went over all of my basic medical information again, next for the PA who came in and asked about the chemo I had had and all of the side effects I had experienced, she also told us the results of the blood tests and the CT scan. MY CEA which is a tumor marker, a possible indicator that your tumors are growing was back to normal!! The two tumors in my liver were reduced in size, my lymph nodes had stayed the same and the lesions from my first surgery were still improving!!! Wow we couldn't have received better news, it was what we had hoped for. After the PA left we had a prayer and thanked our Heavenly Father for His blessings to us and for all of those who have been there for us, for their prayers and thoughts and love. Finally, Dr. Curley arrived. He indicated that I was ready for the surgery except that my liver needed some more time to heal from the Chemo. Two weeks. If he did the surgery sooner than that the liver might not heal as quickly and there would be a greater chance of infection. Surgery was scheduled for the 20th of Sept. but I will need to be back in Houston on the 17th for tests. He will be taking the right lobe and it will grow back in 6 weeks. I will be in the hospital 5-6 days and another week recuperating before going home.
I left for Heather's Wednesday afternoon to visit for those two weeks and to help her get ready for the new baby. I won't be there this time to help her when the baby comes but Jared's mother is coming thank goodness. Brian is back in Wasilla where he is preparing to head into the interior to sell boots until we meet in Houston probably on the evening of the 16th.
Today the babies and I went for a nature walk, picking up rocks and sticks and dandelions and acorns and bird feathers and mushrooms along the way. We played in the baby pool in the back yard, and read books. I helped Heather hook up the new dishwasher and the dryer vent. We are going to begin painting the nursery tomorrow. I feel so good. I haven't felt this good for a long long time. I am so grateful to have this time with Heather and Jared and Abbie and Will. Life is wonderful. Goodnight.
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