In the best case scenario they will be able to remove the tumor and all cancerous cells related to it. They will actually leave her stomach, duodenum, and small intestine in better shape and more functional than she's ever had. No cancer cells will have metastasized or relocated in her body. Treatment will be specifically targeted to curing Carolyn's cancer.
In the worst case, removal of most of the tumor will require removal of a major portion of Carolyn's stomach. The tumor may not completely be removable by surgery because of invasion by cancerous cells into neighboring organs and tissue. In addition, some cancerous cells may have metastasized and are even now setting up their home elsewhere in her body. Treatment in this case will be directed more to palliative care rather than curative care.
Carolyn's current status is waiting and worrying. She feels good except for the constant irritation of the tube down her throat. She has been placed on a liquid diet to see if she can tolerate that. If she can, she will come home until the operation. The operation has not been scheduled yet and could be anytime from next Monday on. She has asked that you remember her in your prayers and perhaps even join our family fast for her this Sunday.
Carolyn will be in the hospital at least until Saturday afternoon and can be reached there at (916) 973-5878. After that you can probably reach her at 916-548-9015 or 916-485-0150.
We thank you for your thoughts and prayers. I'll close tonight with a thank you to "Nathan and Joshua" for the beautiful flower arrangement.
So sorry to hear the dreaded "C" word in Carolyn's case. The waiting and worrying is the worst, also. This stuff has hit close to home in the past with my father and brother both affected in similar places as Carolyn's. So I can feel with you this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you.
ReplyDeleteI should know better than to miss your daily blogs, Arnold! I should have read about Carolyn being in the hospital and visited her.
ReplyDeleteBut this is about Carolyn. She's in our prayers, and we know she'll fight this thing with everything she's got. Glad to hear she can keep down liquids so that she can be home until surgery. I'm available in the evenings for entertainment, shopping, or whatever you two might need.