Hi everyone,
I wanted to add to Mom's recent post. She is restless in the hospital, the ups and downs of this illness taking a thousand tiny bites out of her morale and her energy, but with her typical resilience, she rebounds and models for us yet again how to live a full life. She is, in short, quite amazing.
Mom landed back in the hospital a week ago Monday after being discharged the previous Friday. Looking back, it began with an infection in her bile duct caused by a blood clot on the tumor, followed by insufficient hydration and her extreme willingness to exercise even in hot weather! She recovered beautifully, but the doctors wanted to keep her for observation until her surgery.
We are scheduled for surgery this Wednesday. The procedure she needs is called a Whipple, which entails taking out the bottom of the stomach, the head of the pancreas, the gallbladder, and the duodenum (top part of the small intestine) where the main tumor is located. It is a long surgery with lots of fine sewing: reattaching the stomach to the lower part of the jejeunum (second part of the intestine), sewing in the common bile duct to the jejeunum, and reattaching the pancreas nearby. Our surgeon is very proficient at this operation in particular.
Please think of us tomorrow as we go with our mom through this big operation. Her whole family is surrounding her, and she feels enveloped in the love and great energy that all of you are sending her.
Love, Steph
Thanks for posting this, Stephanie. I will be holding your mom in Love & Light & Prayers tomorrow. I know she is in the Best of "Warrior Doctors" Hands. Bless you and your family--Love, M
ReplyDeleteStephanie, thanks for the update. I will be holding special thoughts that your mom will come through this arduous ordeal with flying colors. You all are in my prayers. She is an amazing trooper and so fortunate to have strong love and support from her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteLove, Suse