Thursday, September 25, 2008

Charlene Gets Evicted October 3!!!!!

Today was the big day to see my specialist and get my biopsy results.

Bad news first: the tumor is definitely cancer. It's the most common type of pancreatic cancer, an adenocarcinoma, which can be quite agressive.

Not so bad news second: the tumor doesn't appear to have infiltrated any important bits of my innards, such as the bile duct, the arteries, or any other organs.

Good news: They gave me some better pain drugs to help me cope with the stupid ache from Charlene leaning on my bile duct. I took one around 12:30; am currently feeling quite painless! The pharmacist warned me no alcohol with this drug. Now I desperately want a gin and tonic! Even a beer would do! I haven't had even a sip of alcohol since June, which isn't a stretch for me, but I tend to crave alcohol when I know I can't have it. Sigh!

Best news last: I am scheduled for surgery on October 3 - that's one week tomorrow. Get ready to wave bye-bye to Charlene!

Those of you who know me well know that I could tell you all the gory details of what they will do during the surgery. I find things like this fascinating, and it's part of my nature to need to know exactly what will be done to evict Charlene. But not everyone wants to know the intricate details so I won't inflict them on you. If you're interested, google Whipple Procedure. You'll find lots of gory details, but be forwarned that it's kinda gruesome.

What I will say is that I will be in the hospital for from two to four weeks depending on how well I heal. Since they will be rearranging parts of my digestive system, I won't be released from the hospital until I can eat without fear of those rearranged parts coming undone. Then I'll be at home for a few weeks and will start chemotherapy at some point. A lot depends on how quickly I recover from the surgery, so those details will come later.

The blog will continue while I'm in hospital because I will be handing over the task of keeping it updated to my People. My one child in particular seemed to be gungho about doing some communicating on my behalf.

To all of you that have taken the time to call or drop me an e-mail, leave a comment, send me a card, send chocolate (thanks especially to JM for OUTSTANDING dark chocolate), send me blankets and shawls to warm my spirits, pray for me or simply think of me, a great big thank you! It can be hard to keep one's spirits up when life throws cancer at you, but every kindness from my friends has made my journey thus far a little easier.

-- Lori

3 comments:

Kathleen and Gareth said...

Dear Lori,

thanks for continuing to share your thoughts, feelings, struggles, and for doing so in your characteristic sense of humour. As you head toward what you've called eviction day, and especially on that day, we'll be keeping you in our thoughts and prayers.

Gareth

PS - the video of the bear is incredible. Good thing she/he didn't threaten toget at your stash of chocolate - wouldn't have gone well for the bear!

SugarB said...

Hi Lori, I received your blog from Charlotte and I just wanted to say good luck with your surgery, your in my thoughts and prayers.

Jan (Wilkes) Baldwin
Austin, TX

Anonymous said...

Lori, Thanks for the continuing update of your journey. Sometimes that journey takes a detour,but with your personality and tenacity you will be back on the right road in no time. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Good luck with your surgery. Carol K.