The hits just keep on coming

This is Brian with another update on Wendi. She has mostly joined the rest of us in the conscious realm, and she is able to communicate to some degree. She occasionally fades out and falls asleep, but she is starting to recover. Despite the procedure she had done the other day, Dr. Bahador is still concerned that normal function has not been restored, so she had a scan done tonight. She may need a follow-up procedure; I'm sure we will find out within the next few days.

Dr. Bahador met with Wendi today in the ICU; her father and I were also there. He mentioned that Wendi's surgery was extremely difficult, mainly because of the distention caused by the tumors. He also told us that there is an area of concern in Wendi's lungs. When she got a CT scan in late August, it showed small nodules in her lungs. You cannot really make an accurate determination on such small nodules; however, in the scan she had done earlier today, the nodules appear to be larger. It is premature to say that they are cancerous; a CT scan alone is not sufficient to reach that conclusion. However, her doctor is concerned enough to bring it to our attention. Obviously, it will be closely monitored, but she has to recover from the surgery before her doctor will even consider giving her chemo, radiation, etc.

As always, we are hopeful that Wendi will be able to beat this terrible illness. If anyone can beat it, she can. She's a fighter, and she's determined to fight for her life until she doesn't have a breath left in her. However, the reality is that she has a rare form of uterine cancer. It has already shown itself to be aggressive and at least partially resistant to chemotherapy. She has a tough battle ahead of her; she would greatly appreciate any support, prayers, good thoughts, etc. you can give her. If you want to call her, she's not always awake, but you can call Scripps Memorial at 858-626-4123 and ask to be connected to the Intensive Care Unit (where she will be for at least a few more days). Please do not attempt to send gifts or flowers right now, since it is unlikely that the ICU will allow them.

Post-surgical complications

This is Brian with another update on Wendi. I spoke too soon about her not needing to go into the ICU. She experienced a few post-surgical complications... nothing life-threatening, but she had to be moved into the ICU because of them. The first complication was from the mix of medications that were being pumped into her after surgery; I think I counted half a dozen tubes going into her at one point, each with a different medication. Late Tuesday evening, she lost her ability to communicate coherently. Right now she is so drugged out that she is not completely conscious; she does not recognize or acknowledge us when we are in the room and she cannot talk to us. It is truly frightening to watch, but several doctors have assured me that such a reaction is not uncommon for someone who had such radical surgery. She seems to be doing better each day, and it's our hope and expectation that she will be able to join the rest of us in the conscious realm by this weekend.

The second complication was that one of her kidneys suffered a small amount of damage during the surgery. (That is a very common occurrence during such surgeries.) To fix the damage, her doctor ordered a procedure known as percutaneous nephrostomy. The procedure went well; there were no problems observed.

Wendi is out of surgery

This is Brian updating the blog for Wendi while she is in the hospital. She had the surgery on Sept. 15; it started around 8:15 a.m. and took about five hours to complete. About three hours later, she regained consciousness and was moved to a hospital bed. Her doctor mentioned that it was a very difficult surgery, due to the distention caused by the tumors. One of them had reached 10 cm in diameter, about the size of a small grapefruit. From an overall standpoint, the surgery went well. There was some initial anticipation that she might require a day or two in the ICU post-surgery, but that did not turn out to be necessary. She will be recovering for about a week or so in the hospital, then for another month or two at home.

The surgery did not remove every trace of cancer, and we were never misled into believing that it would. As soon as her doctor deems it appropriate, she will go back on chemotherapy, then radiation after that. The current plan is to give her four rounds of chemo (12 weeks total), then eight weeks of radiation after that. Of course, that is all subject to change at any time, depending on how she responds to the treatment.

FUTURE UPDATES....

Tomorrow is the big surgery day. Thanks to everyone for the calls, emails and encouragement.
I'm not really sure what to say at this point. I'm sure this is going to be tough, but I will get through it.
My husband will be taking over the blogs from here for a week or so...

MAY SOUND WEIRD BUT........

as much pain I will be in after the surgery, it sure will be better than the pressure I feel on my bladder currently!
Tomorrow, it will be the Jell-O diet! I can have strictly clear liquids. I really don't want any chicken/beef broth because it will give me heart burn. Hubby is going to the grocery store - also to get some Jell-O. I just hope hubby gets enough Jell-O for the 2 of us! The day will be like a Jell-O eating contest - we will see who finishes his/her portion first!

MORE PAIN, PRESSURE AND FATIGUE

I know for a fact that I would not have made it until the 29th. Just a few more days to go!
Along the way I've had people tell me that I am "brave," and an "inspiration." I'm not sure what that means when I'm relying on Dr Bahador to save my life. It is just another obstacle that I have to deal with at this time. I am enjoying some of the smaller things along the way.
Just a favorite story: One of the things happens to be an antique gadget that hubby bought for me during a trip to a mountain bed & breakfast. The place was modeled after the Victorian era full of antiques from that time also. The place was shutting down and we were some of the last guests to stay there. I happened upon the "gadget" called a stereocope. It is kind of like a view master from when I was a kid - except it has lenses and square picture cards that you put on the end of it. We also bought the cards as well. Some of them are old...from the turn of the previous century. Because I can't move around as much right now I get to fiddle around a little more. No, I am not bored or completely helpless. I am just enjoying what I can for the time being.
For me at least, enjoyment of life is a choice, no matter how trivial the activity may be or how much pain I'm going through. I'm taking life moment by moment right now, and yes there is some enjoyment along the way...

PRE-OPERATIVE VISIT

First of all, I am getting more fatigued as the days go on. I'm so HAPPY that the surgery date was moved up. I know I will be in pain after the surgery, but the end results will be worth it!
Today my mom took me to the hospital to have some pre-operative things done - blood & urine tests, chest X-ray, and EKG. That took all morning. I am so tired even though I was pushed around in a wheel chair (that had a hard seat and left me in more pain). I'm sleeping on the squishy air mattress tonight.
I have a lot of pre-surgery prep to do...such as taking potassium pills the night before, liquid-only diet the day before, etc.
My mom had brought an aerobed for me to sleep on after surgery when I am home. We had a discussion about that today. She is concerned that I will not be able to get up very easily due to the abdominal muscles being used. The mattress is the height of a couch and squishy. She said that she and my dad want to rent a hospital bed after I come home from surgery. She is concerned about the level of pain I might experience from getting up. It would be easier to get up from the hospital bed. We will bring the subject up with the coordinator at the hospital to see if it is necessary. I do have to say that my mom's offer is very generous. I think my insurance may cover it too.