Got Paged!

Don't get too excited.  The message was from the docs at 11:55:  "The procedure started at 10.  We apologize for the delay informing you".  That's it.

So they don't get that 1/2 star back, yet.

She' Probably in the Procedure.

Anesthesia must have forgotten that they were supposed to tell me when they were ready to go.  My pager has been silent, but her status on the patient monitors in the waiting area is now showing 'In Procedure'.  It was 'In Prep'.

I'm going to need to dock them 1/2 star from the 'communication' section of our review.  We'll see if they can earn it back...

She's In!

We arrived at Duke right on time at 6, then waited about 45 min for Chris to get called to pre-op.  After she was prepped, I was allowed back for about 1/2 hour as the surgical team discussed the procedure and did their prep.  She was then taken to anesthesia, and I was banished to the waiting room.  The anesthesia step is supposed to take about 90 min, and I will be updated when that is done.  That will signal the start of the 'real' procedure.

The good news is that the surgeon, who has been very terse, and matter-of-fact when we have met with her in the past, seemed to be in a very good mood.  

Arrival Time is 6AM

As expected, Chris got the scheduling call from Duke today.  She will need to arrive by 6AM.

Surgery Prep is Complete.

After a LONG day visiting Duke for surgery prep, this is what we know:

• The procedure is scheduled for 3/12.  Chris will need to arrive at about 5:30AM, and the procedure will begin at about 8:30AM.  She will get a call with the exact times on 3/11.
• There will be 3 surgeons involved, and each will only be working on Chris.  That is, they have no other patients or appointments scheduled for the day.
• Because Duke is a teaching hospital, there may be residents in the room observing, but none are allowed to participate in the procedure. 
• The procedure will last 6-8 hours, with the clock starting at the first incision.
• Duke has a paging system that will provide me (Dave) with updates from the doctors during the procedure.  In reality, I don't know how often, or how much information they will pass on, but I will make an effort to update this blog during the day if I get meaningful updates.
• Chris is supposed to be up and walking the morning after surgery.
• Chris will stay in the hospital for 2-14 days.  Really, that's the range we were told.  The whisper number from the nurses is 3-5 days.
• Chris will be allowed solid food immediately, and have no diet restrictions.

CT Scan Shows No Spread!

Chris had appointments today for a CT scan, blood tests, a GI Oncology examination, and a Radiation Oncology examination.  The best news we got is that the CT scan showed no spread of the cancer to distant organs.  The blood tests also showed nothing unexpected.  The GI Oncologists and Radiation Oncologists were very pleased with the test results, and the exams Chris received today.

Surgery is now scheduled for Wednesday March 12.  Chris will meet with the surgeons on Thursday (3/6) to discuss the procedure details.

Since the radiation treatment ended, Chris has bounced completely back, and her energy level is as high as ever.

Radiation Done!

Chris walked out of Duke Tuesday morning with a radiant smile.  She completed 27 straight days (weekdays) of radiation and chemotherapy.  She has tolerated the treatments much better than expected, and the docs are pleased with how things have progressed.  Her energy level is expected to continue to decrease for another 2 weeks before it starts to turn around. This is due to the residual effects of the chemo and radiation.

Chris is now in recovery mode, and does not plan to see any docs or have any treatments until March 4 to prep for her expected surgery on March 17.

With no news expected, we do not plan to update this blog again until early March.