tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90906915767211808872024-03-06T02:38:13.763-05:00Stage IV CancerUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-19416093726402765092011-08-19T12:59:00.000-04:002011-08-19T13:00:25.012-04:00Got topped off with 2 units of blood Wednesday.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-86944707872725973542011-07-25T11:51:00.001-04:002011-07-25T11:51:32.914-04:00Crazy infection will not stop<p>But we are gettiing more info with a CT scan and they will tweak the plan based on what they find and all the other tests. If they poke a hole where one shouldn't be, well, I'm just happy to have made it this far. Love you Sheila! And love to anyone out there reading this. No fear.</p> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-80124756384164223652011-07-19T15:38:00.006-04:002011-07-19T16:21:24.225-04:00Perforated Bowel<div><div><div>So, I have a LOT to catch up on (sorry folks), but I have to relate the latest that took place over the 4th of July weekend. So that Friday, I get a PET scan. We had been doing chemo and it was about time to take a look. So we did the normal procedure with little fanfare and I go home. </div><div>As is NOT her typical behavior, Sheila decided to NOT monitor the results. She just wants to have a normal 4th of July weekend like any other wife. If there was a problem, the docs would contact us. We expected nothing too dramatic and thought we'd review the scan Monday morning.</div><div>So, on Sunday morning, we are getting ready to go to brunch with the family. We're all dressed and about to hop into the car, but we have a couple minutes down time before actually hopping. So, I decide to check my voice mail on my cell. "Mr. Scarbrough, we have some serious results about your PET scan. Please call us immediately at this number". Shit! What's going on. I call the number and of course, because it's the weekend I get the answering service whom are next to useless. Sheila jumps into action and logs on. She checks the result. It appears that I have a potential bowel perforation. Damn. This is horrible news, but it is somewhat dulled by the fact that I feel just fine. Have been eating & drinking for the last 2 days without an issue. Hmmmm. So we have a number of problems here. </div><div>#1). How the hell did we end up with a "5 alarm" problem and a "1 alarm" response (message on voice mail.) Both Sheila and I were pretty livid about that. But the more important issue was:</div><div>#2). Do I have a bowel perforation or not?</div><div>I was afraid. We've talked in the past about how people eventually die with bowel cancer and the sentence usually goes like "Well he got a bowel perforation and then..." without the dead part being said. I was really scared. </div><div>Sheila jumps into action and makes some phone calls. Apparently some of the guys there had heard about my result and were open to the idea of my coming in to verify it. Hell yes, let's verify it. So we scuttle the brunch plans and head to the hospital. Again. </div><div>I'm telling folks now that I'm a professional patient, I've been in there so much. But back the the hospital. I arrive and everyone is amazed that a "bowel perf" patient looks so good. Thank you very much. They wheel me down to X-Ray and do a series of scans (both standing and prone) and then wheel me back up. Right now I'm NPO since IF there is a bowel perf, something will need to be done about it. Not to long after that, the doc comes back with the results. It appears that there is NOT an obvious bowel perf that needs immediate treatment. Yay, yay, yay. Now that we know it's not a full-blown bowel perf (pun intended), what the heck is it??? Theories get bounced back & forth (medicine is not an exact science) and we decide that perhaps this was a small bowel perf that spewed a very small amount of materiel before healing itself. Yeah, it sounds whack but it was the best we could think of. This might explain the recurrent infection I had been having and perhaps, based on the location, it might also explain the sciatic nerve pain I had been experiencing the last month. Well, well. Maybe it does make sense. Or not. Anyway, that's what we're going with now. Treat infection with antibiotics until gone, treat pain as needed and hope that the "bowel perf" never comes back. </div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-54470367334508572062010-12-22T12:38:00.004-05:002010-12-22T13:08:24.487-05:00Stent Internalized<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_muGQNf9YyvRPphWd1EjDkG3L1l_7HjEXSqnQegPCAmFe0v0N_SpG4bAqzTphwfFWn7R4hmbjEs35ogrCv9jhnoM4vGgLmrNOfuDx6PvOgQESTDI_v5azEKM3dIi4GW8N2K7HtHyJl59N/s1600/130642.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 150px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5553570083756820754" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_muGQNf9YyvRPphWd1EjDkG3L1l_7HjEXSqnQegPCAmFe0v0N_SpG4bAqzTphwfFWn7R4hmbjEs35ogrCv9jhnoM4vGgLmrNOfuDx6PvOgQESTDI_v5azEKM3dIi4GW8N2K7HtHyJl59N/s200/130642.jpg" /></a><br /><div>The Monday after we got back to Charleston, we had an appointment with our IR (Interventional Radiology) doc for another stent swap. We chatted about removing the nephrostomy tube and he agreed that it was a reasonable plan.<br /><br />For those of you just now tuning in, I have what seems to be a somewhat "mushy" tumor in my ureter (where it connects with my ileal conduit). Doctors have placed a "double J" stent that goes between my kidney and ileal conduit so the tumor doesn't block any urine flow. The "J" is where the stent makes a little curlie-q (with holes) for the fluid to enter/exit. To "get" to the stent and to provide a "backup path" in case it should get clogged, there's an extra tube that goes from the kidney out my back to a connector (which is normally plugged shut unless we need it). This is the nephrostomy tube. If the ureter became completely blocked, we'd use this for drainage.<br /><br />The stents have been working fine for several months, and the nephrostomy tube adds some additional chances for infection (and it's a hassle! Cleaning every other day and poking you in the ribs when you roll over sleeping) so our docs said it's time for it to go. We agree!<br /><br />So Monday, our IR doc does the swap but this time without the nephrostomy tube (the stent is still in but all "internalized" now). For the next swap they will have to go in through "the front" (through my urostomy/stoma). This is one instance where my new plumbing is making things easier. Going through the weenie would NOT be fun. Everything went according to plan, my good friend nurse Joy provided a lovely level of sedation and I no longer have a tube hanging out of my back. Yay!<br /><br />A few days later (Sat. Dec 18th) I woke up with a temp of 101.6. Looks like an infection. This has happend before and we had a pretty good idea that it was a UTI. With the ileal conduit, UTIs are pretty common and they had just been in there last week. We called the doc on call at the hospital and he prescribed some antibiotics (good ol' Cipro). They kicked in pretty quickly and the next day I was already feeling better. It will just have to be one of those things that we keep an eye on.<br /><br />Feeling pretty good on the plan for keeping my plumbing in order. Things could change, but the internal stents are working pretty good for now.<br /><br />For the cancer, we're still waiting to hear the exact plan from our Texas docs. We'll ping them in a few days to see what's up. Hopefully it won't be too yucky, but chances are it will be :) Until then, however, I'm planing on having a fun chemo-free holiday. You too!!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-30194427691557483532010-12-08T21:47:00.003-05:002010-12-08T22:10:05.160-05:00The Plan (version 42.b)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcV8p2xpLBsAtVCSnFo-f_xLw_-FOwnKUqySYPmt1R_ZeKTkXXm8NiB2MvJege8ARdLIZzWnRUc9CAnJTJFL7FiDJKdHzQb-7w6OAOQ7wLbFksFvNM-7Vm0wrNaHw9VBTOEtQJPib820B/s1600/220840.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548514447097843410" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcV8p2xpLBsAtVCSnFo-f_xLw_-FOwnKUqySYPmt1R_ZeKTkXXm8NiB2MvJege8ARdLIZzWnRUc9CAnJTJFL7FiDJKdHzQb-7w6OAOQ7wLbFksFvNM-7Vm0wrNaHw9VBTOEtQJPib820B/s320/220840.jpg" /></a><br /><div>Had a CT scan yesterday. Along with scanning the lungs they did a special version that took a close look at my urologcal system. Special barium drink, extra IV fluids & special timing on the scans. Had a fair amount of contrast but drank LOTS of fluids afterwards to flush everything out.<br /><br />Today we met with our two main docs, my primary oncologist and main urologist (that was involved in my surgery last year). The CT scan basically confirmed what we already knew. Cancer has spread to a few small spots on my lungs and is trying to block my ureters. Our main oncologist basically suggested that the best way to move forward is with a "systematic" approach (which means that since the cancer is in multiple places, chemo is the best course of action). Sounds reasonable. He's going to take one of my existing cancer samples (from last year) and do some genetic testing on it to see if there is a particular chemo that might be more effective than the "standard" chemo used. Finally, we're starting to see "customized" care for cancer treatment. Not sure what he'll come up with, but this IS the future of cancer care.<br /><br />Our urologist was very hesitantant to recommend surgery and agreed that the best thing for my ureter was to continue to keep it open with a stent and see if the chemo helped. The stent is sort of a "band aid" solution, but it will work and will be MUCH less invasive than a surgical (or "stainless steel" approach as our other doctor calls it) procedure. We can use a different kind of stent that will be all internal, so the hassle-factor will be reduced too. Sounds good to me.<br /><br />So the bottom line is nothing super-radical, but we can "kick the can down the road" for another 6-12 months and then see what happens. Depending on the chemo that we go with, it might produce some significant results (stay tuned). Eventually we're hoping for some SMC (Super Magic Chemo) that will kill this stuff once and for all, but until then, this should keep us going.<br /><br />All in all, we have our Texas docs back in the loop and have a pretty reasonable plan. It involves some chemo (which may not be all that much fun), but should give us some "mileage" on down the road.<br /><br />Looking foward to heading home tomorrow...</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-34363943786523747062010-12-06T11:13:00.010-05:002010-12-06T22:38:21.793-05:00Back in Texas<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5Ig1atGavFDbauT8MtYjyvMpGsY0-ArjbDwRz6ukWHcXow6HdxbZB2Ubk2CViu8soVD7I7iDorZ96zAmasOzcUDO35Ob3LsY0q87zBmLe-Js7avCTQeipTnV9mwAFKJFmwHYTFwbSTl5/s1600/221032.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547779539355528514" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO5Ig1atGavFDbauT8MtYjyvMpGsY0-ArjbDwRz6ukWHcXow6HdxbZB2Ubk2CViu8soVD7I7iDorZ96zAmasOzcUDO35Ob3LsY0q87zBmLe-Js7avCTQeipTnV9mwAFKJFmwHYTFwbSTl5/s320/221032.jpg" /></a><br /><div>We're baaaaaaaaack!<br />(Jack Bauer "24" voice): Previously on Mark's body<br /><br />So we did our big surgery last year (Aug. 2009) and it was a big deal. Recovery was significant with new plumbing and a chopped up leg... Hopes were cautiously high that, perhaps, this could give us some pretty good mileage towards a recovery.<br /><br />So we were pretty heartbroken that in March 2010 (14th to be exact) my CEA started its upwards climb once more. "You have cancer" <em>again</em>. It was still too low to really do anything about it, but we knew that we'd be doing "something" in the coming months.<br /><br />So in June or so, we were doing a CT scan to see if we could find out where the cancer was "hiding" and the docs noticed that my right kidney wasn't draining properly. No cancer was obvious (yet) but the right ureter was getting clogged up. Lovely. Just what we need on top of all the cancer stuff...<br /><br />So it's time for some new tests! First we did a "loopogram" where they try to see what the "flow" is from the outside in. So they get you on the table (no sedation needed for this one) and squirt some contrast into my urostomy stoma while I'm under a low-level x-ray. The liquid went up the left side, but the right side, not so much. This confirmed what we saw on the CT.<br /><br />A couple days later, we did a nephrostogram where they inject you with radioactive stuff and follow the "flow" from the inside out. No sedation necessary for this one either. You get injected and basically lay on a table for an hour or two while sensors see what's going on. If it's not moving as quickly as they want, you get some Lasix to move things along. The results again confirmed that there was a pretty significant blockage (not 100% but getting close).<br /><br />So the fix for a blockage in your ureter is to put a plastic stent in. This procedure does require "moderate sedation" and they poke a small hole in your back, and thread the tube through that into the kidney and then continue through the ureter. You feel a little sore for a couple days and there's a significant risk of infection. Also the stent needs to be replaced every 4-6 weeks, so for me, they left in the back-tube to provide easier access for the next time. So now, along with my existing "extras" from the surgery last year, I have a small tube taped to my back. It's a hassle, but at least it's saving the kidney!<br /><br />Meanwhile, back on the cancer front, it was time to start another round of chemo! Yay! In July we started Irinotecan & Xeloda. Irinotecan makes my hair fall out. After the second go round (4 or so weeks after starting) my hair starting coming off in the shower pretty significantly. I didn't want to have that classic stringy/thin/patchy chemo-hair look, so I shaved it all off. Bald again (just like in early 2009). It was really just getting to the point where it was starting to get kind've long. Oh well. People tell me they think it looks good and whether it's the truth or just trying to make me feel better, it does (make me feel better).<br /><br />So the Irinotecan/Xeloda treatment isn't that much fun. Hair loss isn't a big deal for me, but the nausea and the hit on your immune system is significant even with all the anti-nausea drugs (that DO help, but not 100%). After one of my stent swaps, I developed a UTI. Since I was now "immue-compromised" (with a pretty low white blood cell count) it was important that we "nip it in the bud" so it didn't get out of control. Infections while on chemo can be very serious (and even kill you!) We went to the emergency room and they hooked us up with some antibiotics that started working pretty quickly. I didn't have to spend the night in the hospital, but it was a close call. Since then, I've gotten another UTI and some quick response with antibiotics worked again.<br /><br />So we we're in the groove with our monthly stent swaps, but we still didn't know exactly why the ureter was getting blocked in the first place. The top two candidates were cancer (of course) or possibly some scar tissue forming there from the surgery (which is a relatively common side effect). We were hoping for the later. We did a PET scan and that didn't show any significant cancer anywhere. That was sorta good news. Good because if there was cancer, it was too small to be detected. Not so good, because we knew there was cancer there (CEA had been rising) and we couldn't find it!<br /><br />On the last stent swap in October, our Interventional Radiology doctor did a "brush biopsy" in the ureter to see if he could detect any cancer there which may have been causing the blockage. The test came back positive for cancer. Not the best news, but at least now we knew what we were dealing with. At about the same time we did another CT scan, and this one showed a spot in the liver that (after a biopsy) turned out to be cancer. The scan also showed some "spots" on my lungs that are also most likely cancer. So at this point, it looks like the cancer has spread to my kidney ureter, my liver and my lungs.<br /><br />Around this time, my CEA was coming down from the chemo (yay) but it was also hurting me significantly (UTI and continuing weakness), so we decided to give my body a rest and stop the chemo for now. Even though we knew there was more cancer out there, the current chemo wasn't containing it all. Time for another plan.<br /><br />The easiest to deal with was the liver. It was just one, small little spot. Rather than do surgery (and risk all the normal surgery complications) we decided to do RFA or "Radio Frequency Ablation". They stick in a needle in your side, poke it into the liver, run you through a quickie CT scan to check placement and when the probe is exactly where the tumor is, they activate a transmitter on the tip and literally fry your liver from the inside out. Ouch! Fortunately we did do full on anethesia for this one. They cook the tumor and "margins" and they remove the probe. Side effects are relatively minor. I was pretty sore for a day or two and you get "flu-ish" symptoms for a couple days as your body attempts to deal with the dead meatball in your liver. Compared to surgery, it seemed like 95% of the good effects with about 5% of the hassle. Pretty good "bang for the buck". We did the RFA procedure in November. At least we took care of 1/3 of my cancer!<br /><br />Now we still have the clogged ureter (with cancer) and the spots on my lungs. This is why we are now in Texas. We're doing another loopogram and CT scan tomorrow and then talking with the doctors Wednesday. Hopefully they will come up with a plan!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-53549696525282799672009-12-11T08:44:00.000-05:002009-12-11T08:57:44.601-05:00RecoveryIt's been about 3 and a half months since the surgery. So far things<br>are going pretty good. I'm doing physical therapy for my leg 3 times a<br>week (highly recommended) and I even signed up for a 5 week "adventure<br>challange". This week we did rock climbing (I got to the top of the<br>tower twice! - even with my weak leg) and (today) swimming. I did about<br>20 minutes of laps and my knee felt pretty good afterwards.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-63569252675286781242009-09-23T20:24:00.002-04:002009-09-23T20:27:09.052-04:002.5 weeks at homeGetting better and stronger every day. I walked 2 (two!) blocks around the neighborhood. And these are BIG blocks. Later I was in the backyard and fell down. Oops. The grass was soft, but it reminded me to be careful!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-78179268175282879652009-09-06T10:25:00.002-04:002009-09-06T10:47:54.133-04:00Home Sweet HomeThe flight home was relatively uneventful and we're back home in Charleston!!!! Got in around 10:30 PM and my brother picked us up. Mom was in the car too. When we got home, everything appeared in order and the dogs were VERY happy to see us. Played with the dogs some, took a shower and went to bed. Both of us slept very soundly. No street/city noises going on all night - very peaceful. Since I slept all night, I missed my 3 AM pain pill dose. At 9:00 AM I sure could notice it! The right leg (where they harvested the muscle) is still pretty sore. We'll get hooked up with the pain management guys at MUSC to work out a plan. I'm sure it will get better over the next couple months. Still a little unsteady walking as well, but I'm sure that will get better too. Anyone know of any good exercises for someone missing a rectus femoris? We'll figure out a way to do some "easy" squats and work up from there. HAPPY TO BE HOME!!!!<br /><br />THANK YOU to everyone that has posted and supported us through this ordeal. Reading the blog posts, getting emails and knowing you guys are out there thinking & praying for us has been an amazing source of strength for us. It has truly helped my recovery and means so much to Sheila and I. <br /><br />FYI - We'll keep posting here occasionally, but don't expect any more daily updates!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-76483225503713441682009-09-05T19:58:00.000-04:002009-09-05T19:59:21.461-04:00Almost thereIn the plane now about to takeoff! Yay,yay,yay!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-47034674101336206592009-09-05T18:53:00.001-04:002009-09-05T18:53:27.672-04:00airportMade it to the airport. Sheila's dropping off the rental car and then<br>we do the stupid human tricks... I wonder what they will think of the<br>plastic container hooked up to a tube in my knee. I'm pretty sure it's<br>too much blood to carry on. We will see... That's not including any<br>fluid taped to my belly either. Both bags are pretty empty now, but I<br>have been drinking a lot of water.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-17498645444893129522009-09-05T17:13:00.000-04:002009-09-05T17:14:17.918-04:00On the wayIt's sort of early but we haeding to the airport. Yay!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-73017449206915646252009-09-05T16:08:00.000-04:002009-09-05T16:09:13.518-04:00Operation: escape Houston - part 2We got to the bookstore just fine. After about 30 minutes of browising<br>I noticed the the urostomy seal had broken. Dang! Those things are<br>supposed to last 5 days or so and it had only been 2. Fortunately we<br>had our "emergency backup" equipment handy and after 20 minutes of<br>cleanup, I had the new appliance on. A quick trip to TJ Maxx for new<br>shorts and we were back in businessUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-56504076724557385932009-09-05T12:57:00.001-04:002009-09-05T12:57:58.741-04:00Operation: Escape HoustonOK. We are all checked out of the hotel. Check. We got our flights<br>arranged for 7-ish tonight. We need to kill some time before then.<br>There's a bookstore nearby that should be a good hangout...<br>Last night we had sushi at our favorite restaurant. Walking to the car,<br>the pavement was uneven and my leg "blew out" and I fell down. Ouch.<br>Fortunately it was a relatively "controlled" fall and I didn't bash<br>anything too hard. I did bend my leg and it's a bit more swollen today<br>but it appears I can still walk on it. Got to be careful while my leg<br>muscles are still learning to compensate for the lack of the one they<br>took out. Charleston, here we come!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-23392844700650259842009-09-04T16:14:00.002-04:002009-09-04T16:20:55.202-04:00dern airlinesWe will be coming home tomorrow. Although there are six seats available tonight, Continental could not change our reservations without a 400.00 fee. I bought my ticket 3 weeks before Mark bought his, as we initially planned for him to drive. His condition worsened to the point that we bought his ticket about a week before he left. His ticket was 415.00; mine was 385.00. This put me in the "W" class and him in the "H" class, whatever the hell that means. So, since I don't have the same class, I would have to pay an extra 400 bucks. As much money as we have been going through, we can't afford that.<br />So, one more night in Houston. I really can't bitch because Mark has done so well. It's <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">disappointing</span>, but not the end of the world. Trouble, Einstein-we'll see you tomorrow.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958915289581137373noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-54159384909572043692009-09-04T15:09:00.003-04:002009-09-04T15:16:47.054-04:00MD visitThe doctor's visit this morning/afternoon went fine. Dr. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Skibber</span> gave us the okay to return to Charleston! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Yay</span>! We have to come back in one month for a follow-up and to remove the last of Mark's stitches that stay in 6 weeks, but everyone in the clinic was thrilled with Mark's progress. The plastics people removed one of the drains in his leg, so there is only one left. That will probably have to stay a while, because there is still <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">significant</span> output. But, overall, we are very pleased. Next step: getting on a plane. The flight tonight is "sold out" although there are some seats available. Sorta. The seats available are "premium" seats that we can't exchange our tickets for. The travel agent at Anderson <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">encouraged</span> us to call Continental this afternoon and see if they have released those seats. If so, we come home tonight. We do have reservations on tomorrow night's flight, so worst possible case we'll be in our beds tomorrow night. I really, really, really want to come home tonight. It will depend on airline logic, so anything goes. We'll post again this afternoon to let everyone knows how this goes. Family in Charleston----we may be looking for a ride tonight; we'll call you later.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958915289581137373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-87084618679396838232009-09-04T12:03:00.001-04:002009-09-04T12:03:50.651-04:00No news is good newsSorry about the lack of info the last two days. We've been in the<br>hotel, using the treadmill for exercise and resting. Yesterday, we did<br>a trip to the mall and both got a haircut. Then dinner at PF Changs.<br>Right now we are in the dr.'s office waiting for Skibber to arrive.<br>He'll have the final say on when he thinks we're ready to come home...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-39217744531179346322009-09-01T21:03:00.001-04:002009-09-01T21:03:34.296-04:00ProgressThe hotel has a treadmill in the gym downstairs that I have been using<br>for leg rehab. I walked over a half mile today! Yay!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-38761652325825383412009-08-31T17:06:00.002-04:002009-08-31T17:25:24.692-04:00If it's Monday, it must be a new hotel<div>We could only stay at the Rotary House one more day, so we're back at the Extended Stay Hotel nearby. For any folks that what to send any thing snail mail, the best bet is 1160 Tidal View Lane. Things are moving quickly here and we're not exactly sure where we'll be. We should be having a followup appointment Friday and probably a couple others before then as well. We'll see what the docs say on Friday and go from there. I still have two drainage tubes in, but those are easy to remove (once they stop draining). Right leg is still pretty weak, but I'm walking on my own with only the occasional "blow out" (wobble, but not fall down). Sheila, of course, walks with me each time - side by side. I really don't know what/how I could have done this with out her. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>So this morning we did a shower (first time out of the hospital!), and had a nice breakfast at the hotel buffet. Then "pack it up" for the big move (3 blocks). Sheila picked up the car, came back, picked me up and away we went. Fortunately we were able to check in early to the new place. Took a nap. Had a late lunch... Did a 20 minute walk. And that brings you up to speed. We're pretty much done with all of our major "milestones". I didn't get an infection. Systems "woke up" as expected (more or less). I can still walk. Kidneys didn't take a hit. There wasn't an unexpected "leak" somewhere. We feel very fortunate to have made it through. There was a small rough patch (that didn't feel so small when you're in the middle of it) but we MADE IT!!!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWIYGlzBXtVMfIjvYlc1xt5dF_FzgrjbFfyfm33PpN7kqq5dW5FmljTvYNNHvdRWLOuH7_w9c4wm0ynsC93bhHAaATb8AZ8zGLk0ny5vhFx00d0n_Et1vDRvqDZFnJanhJh6CmWJAXMeD/s1600-h/P1020881+%5B640x480%5D.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5376241988481301154" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUWIYGlzBXtVMfIjvYlc1xt5dF_FzgrjbFfyfm33PpN7kqq5dW5FmljTvYNNHvdRWLOuH7_w9c4wm0ynsC93bhHAaATb8AZ8zGLk0ny5vhFx00d0n_Et1vDRvqDZFnJanhJh6CmWJAXMeD/s320/P1020881+%5B640x480%5D.JPG" /></a>Interesting story: On Friday, our doctor was in the room and he said that he thought we were doing we'll and had "turned the corner". It was raining outside. Moments later the Sun came out and Sheila snapped this picture out the hospital window. The rainbow goes right on top of the hotel we were staying at.</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-3322880339058181842009-08-30T10:47:00.000-04:002009-08-30T10:48:07.193-04:00NEWSFLASHWe are getting discharged today! Docs say my recovery has gone great<br>and I'm ready to get out of here. We have one more night at the Rotary<br>House, so it will be relatively easy to get there. The urology guys<br>will pull the stients today before we leave. They pulled the abdominal<br>drain today, and should pull one of the leg drains, so I should have<br>only one tube (the other leg drain) leaving the hospital. Yay. Getting<br>out of here. The other major thing is learning how to walk again, but<br>that's getting better each time we go out.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-84214393574333939542009-08-29T15:00:00.001-04:002009-08-29T15:00:48.845-04:00Mark's backHey everyone! Starting to feel human again. Let me tell you, that was<br>a ride. Tuesday night was pretty dark. Systems not working, pain in<br>the leg, abdomen swelling, remembering the pain of NG tube insertion,<br>feeling about to explode from the pressure and not sure what to do... I<br>was depressed! But, we went with the tube, the nurse was very skilled<br>in putting it in and it relieved the pressure right away. We decided to<br>focus on "walk it out". That was about the only pro-active option, so<br>that's what we did. Each walk, I focused not on the pain or soreness,<br>but that by walking we were going to move forward and keep getting<br>stronger and take control. Screw you cancer, screw you. Look's like<br>it's working. Yay. Feeling soooooo much better than just 3-4 days ago.<br>OK lunch just got here, so I'm out of here for now.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-92002253648916477232009-08-29T11:05:00.003-04:002009-08-29T11:08:30.038-04:00possible discharge?Mark ate his first real meal this morning for breakfast. Of course, we are talking hospital food so "real" probably isn't the best description. But, he's past the juice and ice phase. In fact, the surgical fellow was in this morning and we're looking towards discharge from the hospital tomorrow. He's come a long way in the last 24 hours since the ostomy started working properly. He still needs a walker, but we hope that will only be needed for a few more days. All in all, things are going great.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958915289581137373noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-5666751491188982732009-08-28T11:05:00.002-04:002009-08-28T11:07:40.181-04:00steady progressHere is a picture of Mark from last evening, right after the nose tube was removed. He's a happy camper without that thing. The colostomy is starting to do its business, so we think we are past the problem of the ileus. Mark walks every two hours for at least 10 minutes and is getting stronger every day. We will be in the hospital at least through the weekend, but ---knock wood----things are looking up.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958915289581137373noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-10375953391502550652009-08-28T11:00:00.000-04:002009-08-28T10:59:53.841-04:00<p class="mobile-photo"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfsOO9tXAwLgzjq-4S0lGfvYJnmqMnfetndZZYMzlhwPTfYT5LpXWTkfDfv44QqFLPhD8P6dTcviVe5a02u0NtHAWUURxzteMKZDqSrdlTA1O9U86VcpWlqhzBkriVVx4LHRyj7EEFSrO/s1600-h/IMAGE_00040-793844.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfsOO9tXAwLgzjq-4S0lGfvYJnmqMnfetndZZYMzlhwPTfYT5LpXWTkfDfv44QqFLPhD8P6dTcviVe5a02u0NtHAWUURxzteMKZDqSrdlTA1O9U86VcpWlqhzBkriVVx4LHRyj7EEFSrO/s320/IMAGE_00040-793844.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5375029567751651650" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9090691576721180887.post-49932932671269539472009-08-27T11:38:00.003-04:002009-08-27T11:42:41.601-04:00slow progressWe are moving towards removing the NG tube. First step: gravity drainage instead of suction. We did that for the last 24 hours and it did not cause Mark any extra pain. Next step: Clamp the tube. That is where we are now. We had an option of pulling the thing out altogether this morning, but we decided the conservative route (probably the first/last time Mark and I can be considered conservative). We want to wait until there is output first. Mark has had two emergent NG placements, and that is enough, thank you very much. He is starting back on sips of juice and water. Keep your fingers crossed.Sheilahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06958915289581137373noreply@blogger.com8