We were registered quickly and taken back to the prep/recovery area. An IV was started and some blood was taken for labs. Everything was going as planned until the labs came back. It turns out my hemoglobin was too low (6.2) for them to do the procedure. The EUS would have to wait until after I could get a couple units of blood transfused into me. The good news from the labs was that my kidneys were working well enough for me to not need dialysis (for those who are keeping score, I haven't needed dialysis since last Wednesday - yeah!) At first the plan was to admit me to the hospital for the transfusions and do the EUS the day after but Mel put her foot down and said, "No." She made them figure out a way to do everything as an outpatient (thank God she was there.) And, in fact, once they had done as she requested, it turned out that I could get the blood I needed and still have the procedure done on the same day. So I sat for about three hours in a most uncomfortable reclining chair while the blood slowly dripped into my veins. For those of you who have never had a transfusion, let tell you that there is no better drug for making you feel better, stronger, healthier than human blood. It really is the elixir of life. Before my transfusion I could barely make it from the wheel chair to the recliner - afterward I felt like I could jog back to the waiting room. Great stuff blood - those vamps know of whence they speak.
But the transfusion is not the reason for this diatribe. No the real story lies in the results of the EUS. The procedure itself went quite well. I was put under a general anesthesia (thankfully) and the whole thing came off without a hitch. The procedure took about an hour from beginning to end and this afforded the doctors plenty of time to poke and prod and snap pictures and buy souvenirs and try to find a reason to justify this little trip into my digestive tract. As it turns out, the doctors did find something. Just beyond the lining of the stomach and under a layer of muscle is a layer of cancer cells. They took a biopsy and we'll hopefully know more in the very near future. It is quite possible, and most likely, that this stomach cancer is the reason I've been having so much trouble with my stomach. Now I'm in a holding pattern waiting to hear from the Oncologists so we can develop a plan of attack. Generally the protocol is to try and shrink the cancer and then remove it surgically. Thankfully at least my kidneys seem to be rejuvenating themselves (knock on wood - please!)
I've fought the big C twice before and won but I was a much younger man then. I'll fight this as fiercely as I can but, to be honest, I'm not sure how much fight I've got left. Sometimes, when you dodge a bullet, you end up leaning into another one - one that takes its time manifesting its injury.
Keep the good thoughts and prayers coming. Mel and I are really going to need them. And for those of you in the Charleston area who want to lend a hand in some way - I could use some help finding weekday rides to and from the hospital so Mel doesn't have to give up any more of her vacation time.
Be well.
2 comments:
Thinking of you both, and I know with Melanie around she'll keep those Doctors in good order and have you on the road to recovery again, very soon!!! ; )
And even though I haven't been keeping up on all those new Vampire movies, from what you are saying about that blood thing, I may give that whole thing a try! I certainly have donated quite a bit of blood, lately, I wonder if I can borrow some back?
Anyway, my friend, keep your spirits up, and know that they get a little better at this whole medicine/doctor thing ~ each and every day !
Jerry
Chris and Mel,
I can't even begin to tell you how sorry I am to hear your news. You are such great people, and I am having a hard time understanding why this is happening to you.
Your writing is so eloquent, touching, and sincere, I feel when I am reading it that I am receiving a gift. It breaks my heart to hear the exhaustion in your words. I can only hope our prayers will bolster you.
Thanks for sharing. I hope there will be good news to come.
Trish Allen
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