Here is the latest update from Mom's visit at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance.
She met with Dr.Pillarisetty (abdominal surgeon,specializing in pancreatic surgery) and he stated that they will do pre op on Tuesday and then she will be the first surgery of the day on Wednesday. They will start with scoping mom first to see what all is involved. They will be looking to make sure they have not missed anything in the scans. Normally with a pancreatic surgery they access from the left side, but since the right kidney is involved as well they will go through the center. They will either take a part of the right kidney, or will remove it entirely. From a week ago the mass in the pancreas has grown 1cm by 2cm in the last week. They do not believe it is a psuedo cyst, but a tumor. Either way, they say it has to be removed. He feels he will most likely take the lower half of the pancreas. He says that it is hard to see what all is involved. If he feels the spleen is involved, or at a great future risk, he will remove it as well. He does not think there will be a problem with the stomach, but again if the stomach has any involvement, he may have to remove a small section of the stomach as well. The abdominal surgeon will be doing the scoping, pancreas, spleen and stomache part and the kidney specialist/surgeon will be operating on her right kidney. The surgeon is estimating about 6 hours for surgery and then a few hours in recovery. She will get a drain tube from her side to drain any fluids after surgery. It comes out when it stops "draining". No estimated time frame for that, she may even go home with it if needed.
They expect her to stay at UWMC hospital for at least 5 days, and after that they want her to stay at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance housing for another 5 days so they are close to UWMC in case she needs some additional after care.
We are definately asking for prayer for protection, healing, comfort, skill for the suegeons and peace for all of us as we restart this journey with Mom. Please pray for dad. This has been tough for him. He is so strong and a wonderful encourager to mom. We kids are so incredibly blessed to have them as our parents and we thank God for allowing us to be able to walk with them through the storm.
Thank you ahead of time for your words of love and encouragement. They have always meant so much.
Kimberly and family
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
July 20, 2011 Update
It's been a while since I have posted anything. I am not even sure anyone checks here at all but have been asked to post an update. I have been of the mindset that no news is good news in regards to this blog. Needless to say, I would have preferred to have retired the site altogether than to have to reactivate it.
Where do I start? Well, as many of you know, mom has been doing well with each follow up at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. She goes several times a year and the last visit was great. Shortly after that she started having intermittent discomfort in her side. She did not think much of it as it was the same side the half lung and rib was removed. She has been tender there since the surgery. The pain started to become more frequent, then more intense. After a while she felt she should have it checked out and went to her primary care Dr. Last Thursay, her Dr. ordered an ultra sound of her side. She was to have a follow up visit to review the findings a week later. Thursday night they called and told her they had found a mass on her pancreas and would need a CAT scan the next morning. Friday she had the CAT scan and had to wait until Tuesday (yesterday, to meet with her primary care provider(PCP) for the results.) She found out that she has a 8cm x 9cm mass on the tip of her pancreas that appears suspicious. There is a possibility it could be a cyst, but they are unsure. In addition, they found another mass on her right kidney that they say is very suspicious for cancer. This was not the news we were hoping for. Mom and Dad have contacted Seattle Cancer Care and have an appt next Tuesday 7/26/11 with her Oncologist.
We are asking for prayer that in that time we will have answers, have a plan for treatment and a wonderful prognosis. This is a hard set back to hear at this time so we are still processing and trusting the Lord for His hand of protection and healing to stay on mom's life.
If you would also remember mom's 2 siblings in your prayer as well, we would be grateful. Her sister Donna is battling cancer and has it in her bones and breast. It was in her liver and lungs but as of yesterday that is gone. She has damage to her liver from the cancer / treatment so it is a huge concern as is the fact that she needs a masectomy in the next few months. The bone cancer is serioius, so we need God's intervention on her behalf. God can and has removed the cancer form the liver and lungs. Please pray for the continuation of her whole body healing.
And unbelievably, a second sibling, her brother Dean has bladder cancer. He is having a high risk surgery Thursday morning 7/22/11 at 6:30 AM. Please pray for success in the surgery and healing for him as well.
Cancer may have a grip on this family, but God holds us in His mighty hand.
A friend reminded me of His love and one of His promises in this verse this morning.
Isaiah 41:10 " Do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you."(This I know very well, yet some days I need the reminder. Thank you sweet Carrie)
With love,
Kimberly and family
Where do I start? Well, as many of you know, mom has been doing well with each follow up at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. She goes several times a year and the last visit was great. Shortly after that she started having intermittent discomfort in her side. She did not think much of it as it was the same side the half lung and rib was removed. She has been tender there since the surgery. The pain started to become more frequent, then more intense. After a while she felt she should have it checked out and went to her primary care Dr. Last Thursay, her Dr. ordered an ultra sound of her side. She was to have a follow up visit to review the findings a week later. Thursday night they called and told her they had found a mass on her pancreas and would need a CAT scan the next morning. Friday she had the CAT scan and had to wait until Tuesday (yesterday, to meet with her primary care provider(PCP) for the results.) She found out that she has a 8cm x 9cm mass on the tip of her pancreas that appears suspicious. There is a possibility it could be a cyst, but they are unsure. In addition, they found another mass on her right kidney that they say is very suspicious for cancer. This was not the news we were hoping for. Mom and Dad have contacted Seattle Cancer Care and have an appt next Tuesday 7/26/11 with her Oncologist.
We are asking for prayer that in that time we will have answers, have a plan for treatment and a wonderful prognosis. This is a hard set back to hear at this time so we are still processing and trusting the Lord for His hand of protection and healing to stay on mom's life.
If you would also remember mom's 2 siblings in your prayer as well, we would be grateful. Her sister Donna is battling cancer and has it in her bones and breast. It was in her liver and lungs but as of yesterday that is gone. She has damage to her liver from the cancer / treatment so it is a huge concern as is the fact that she needs a masectomy in the next few months. The bone cancer is serioius, so we need God's intervention on her behalf. God can and has removed the cancer form the liver and lungs. Please pray for the continuation of her whole body healing.
And unbelievably, a second sibling, her brother Dean has bladder cancer. He is having a high risk surgery Thursday morning 7/22/11 at 6:30 AM. Please pray for success in the surgery and healing for him as well.
Cancer may have a grip on this family, but God holds us in His mighty hand.
A friend reminded me of His love and one of His promises in this verse this morning.
Isaiah 41:10 " Do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you."(This I know very well, yet some days I need the reminder. Thank you sweet Carrie)
With love,
Kimberly and family
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