Hello everyone,
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 update. Jay and I meet with the surgeon (Dr. Harzman of the James Cancer Institute) expecting a consult and a surgery date for the following week to remove the cancerous portion of his colon. We came out with a whole lot more!
The surgery is scheduled for Friday, April 9, 2010. The start time will be between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m. His recovery will take 5-7 days in the hospital and 4-5 weeks at home if there are no complications and if the cancer hasn't spread outside of the colon.
Surgery will consist of removal of a portion of the colon (approximately 6 inches in length) and the surrounding lymph nodes. The colon will be immediately reconnected during the original surgery. The lymph nodes will then be biopsied to determine if the cancer has spread.
Dr. Harzman and the Cancer Institute are INCREDIBLE! Once they determined that surgery needed to take place Friday they had us moving through a well oiled machine for pre-op preparations. We met with the Anesthesiologist, completed lab work, had an EKG, filled out surgical papers and consent, had an abdomen, pelvis, and chest CT scan, had the tumor tattooed (yes...now Jay has a tattoo...hmmm, will he need to meet with the bishop?) and had a consultation with the chief gastrointerologist at The James. They were so efficient and so effective. They made the journey sooo much more pleasant than we ever expected!!!
We should receive the results of the CT scan tomorrow. The CT scan is for several different reasons. First: to determine if the cancer has spread to the liver, bladder, kidneys, lungs or pelvis, and Second: If they detect that the bladder is involved in this mess (via the CT scan) they will postpone the surgery because they will then need to consult a urologist and he/she will also need to be present during the surgery.
So with all this said there is only one day prior to the surgery (Thursday) that we can do a family fast. In advance we would like to thank all who are so generous and willing to participate. Thank you for your service, for your kindness, and for your generosity of spirit in our behalf!!!
We love you ALL!!!
Susan
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