Status Update

We've spent the last 2 hours with mom. She is in the SICU.  She has been awake, alert, talking and joking! Truly a miracle!  She looks as if she had a great nights sleep having no ill side effects of her anesthesia.  She has a self dosing epidural that has her pain very much under control. 

Final reports from surgery are that she did very well.  They were able to remove all the necessary components as well as the mass.  The mass has already been sent down to patho.  We should have the final results of that within 5 days or so.  There was minimal to no bleeding during the procedure, so there was no need for a transfusion.  (Good news as this always reduces the possibilities of some complications.) Again, there is no evidence of any spread of this mass!!

They were able to remove the bile drain which she has had in since November.  She was relieved to hear THAT news when she woke up!!!  Right now, she has two drains in to relieve any drainage from her internal sutures.  Hopefully, these won't leak and can be taken out prior to her discharge.  Dr. Ahmad has no reason to believe that this will not be the case as he feels good about the suturing itself. 

So, where do we go from here?  Well, they will continue to monitor mom VERY closely over the next two days in the ICU.  They will keep a close eye on her heart and the development of any side effects of the procedure. Starting tomorrow, they will start sitting her up to get her mobile slowly. 

The staff here has been incredible! We are truly thankful for the excellent care she has received thus far!!

Things to pray for now...continued wisdom and clarity on behalf of mom's caregivers.  NO SIDE EFFECTS of the surgery including, infection, delayed gastric emptying, more than normal leakage from her drains, as well as continued pain management and comfort for her. We also pray that the mass comes back benign.  That would mean that mom is DONE with this episode in her life!!

If the mass turns out to be malignant, then a few light treatments of chemo and radiation will be in her future.  But again, as noted before, very "gentle" chemo and radiation.  Nothing that would cause hair or weight loss.

Thank you all again....and again....for your support and prayers.  A true miracle was performed today!  God remains faithfull and in control...."His will be done!"

Thank you!!

Will