Carolyn is out of surgery and in recovery where she is expected to stay for 1 to 2 hours. After that she will be assigned a room in a regular medical/surgical ward. Please don't try to call or visit today as she won't be up to talking. According to Dr. Herr, the surgeon, the operation went well. The tumor was well defined, situated at the lower end of the stomach and effectively blocking anything from the stomach, liver, and bile from draining into the upper small intestine. They removed the cancerous tumor and about 80% of her stomach, reattaching the small intestine to the remaining part of the stomach. She has effectively had gastric bypass surgery.
It appears that the tumor had not spread to other organs, but the neighboring lymph nodes were enlarged. Samples of these lymph nodes and other surrounding tissue was sent to the lab for identification of possible cancer cells. The report of these samples is not expected until late next week. They have done as much as can be done surgically to cure Carolyn of this cancer. Any additional treatments, if necessary, will probably be chemotherapy. For now, however, all efforts will be directed at helping her recover from the surgery and getting enough strength back to come home. Her hospital stay is expected to be 7 to 10 days.
Tonight, we will report on this blog and through email where Carolyn has been transferred and other information about contacting her.
Thank you for your thoughts, prayers, and kind support.
Glad to hear some better news. We will keep the prayers and good energy flowing :) Get better soon mom.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the update. Glad to hear the surgery went well and we will look forward to hearing more updates.
ReplyDeleteYou were all definitely in our thoughts tonight as we had a small Loveridge gathering at Jolley's Ranch up Springville Canyon.
Ethan and I have been visiting this week and leave for home tomorrow. Please give Carolyn our love (oh, and I love the haircut, too!)
Love,
Shondra and the other Springville folks