Yesterday I had a PET scan. We won't fully go over the results of that with Dr. Chang until next Monday when I meet with him at 1:40 (we think).
Today we met with Dr. Lee, the colorectal surgeon. After a thorough examination, he said to save my anus and normal function would be very tricky. He isn't certain it can be done. This surprised me because I fully expected him to tell me to be prepared for a permanent colostomy.
We left it at he is to use his discretion. If he goes in and thinks the anus can be saved he will do it. I will wake up from surgery expecting permanent colostomy, but if he can do better, then GREAT! He said the dangers to saving the anus are 1) I will have bouts with "self control". I gotta tell you honestly I have already experienced a few due to the radiation from last year (and the location of the cancer currently). 2) Since it is a trickier surgery to save the anus, he will be required to be in there longer and to move around more.
Jeanah had a good point. How much risk is it worth to save my a$$? Really...that's a hard one to determine.
Please pray for:
1) Wisdom for Dr. Lee in making the decision.
2) Skill for Dr. Lee in executing his plan.
3) Peace for Jeanah and I with the result.
We don't know exactly when the surgery will be except that it is likely to be on an upcoming Monday. We have chosen St. Vincent's in Portland as the hospital we would like me to stay at for 7 days and Dr. Lee does surgery at St. Vincent's on Mondays.
Two good things we learned today:
1) The recovery time is 7 days in the hospital and 2-3 weeks at home. This is less than we expected because...
2) He thinks the surgery can be done lapriscopically. There is a possibility he will need to make a large incision in my belly, but he would rather not do this. Normally he is able to use lapriscopic surgery and he will try in this case.
The surgery will take about 6-7 hours and yes, he does have comfortable shoes (thanks Jeanah for asking :)
Love ya'll!
Today we met with Dr. Lee, the colorectal surgeon. After a thorough examination, he said to save my anus and normal function would be very tricky. He isn't certain it can be done. This surprised me because I fully expected him to tell me to be prepared for a permanent colostomy.
We left it at he is to use his discretion. If he goes in and thinks the anus can be saved he will do it. I will wake up from surgery expecting permanent colostomy, but if he can do better, then GREAT! He said the dangers to saving the anus are 1) I will have bouts with "self control". I gotta tell you honestly I have already experienced a few due to the radiation from last year (and the location of the cancer currently). 2) Since it is a trickier surgery to save the anus, he will be required to be in there longer and to move around more.
Jeanah had a good point. How much risk is it worth to save my a$$? Really...that's a hard one to determine.
Please pray for:
1) Wisdom for Dr. Lee in making the decision.
2) Skill for Dr. Lee in executing his plan.
3) Peace for Jeanah and I with the result.
We don't know exactly when the surgery will be except that it is likely to be on an upcoming Monday. We have chosen St. Vincent's in Portland as the hospital we would like me to stay at for 7 days and Dr. Lee does surgery at St. Vincent's on Mondays.
Two good things we learned today:
1) The recovery time is 7 days in the hospital and 2-3 weeks at home. This is less than we expected because...
2) He thinks the surgery can be done lapriscopically. There is a possibility he will need to make a large incision in my belly, but he would rather not do this. Normally he is able to use lapriscopic surgery and he will try in this case.
The surgery will take about 6-7 hours and yes, he does have comfortable shoes (thanks Jeanah for asking :)
Love ya'll!
I've been reading your blog, Vic,and praying for you and Jeanah. Is this laproscopic surgery also a robotic surgery? It really is amazing what modern medicine can do. I'll keep checking in and praying for all involved. :) Linda (Russell) Fraught
ReplyDeleteLinda, I'm not certain if it is robotic. All I know is that it is the difference between some small holes and a big 15" gash in my belly. Praise the Lord for modern technology!
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