Sunday, June 07, 2009

Me...

So people ask about the medical stuff, and I guess I haven't said much lately. It has seemed like more of the same. Work, home, chemo, repeat as necessary. I've been managing to work full time except for my chemo days. I finished my 8th chemo cycle last week. The side effects are somewhat cumulative, so it has been a little harder as we go along. The fatigue is a little worse, the neuropathy in my hands and feet is more significant. But overall, it's still all really manageable.

I guess I've been hesitant to write because I've been working on a plan and I still don't know if it will work out. I'm flying to Washington, DC at the end of the month to meet with a surgeon about the HIPEC surgery I mentioned a few times before. I've been on again and off again, but I know feel that it offers my best/only chance at some type of curative result. The best chance still only has a 25% success rate (in terms of 5-yr survival), but that's better than 8%.

So I'm on the schedule for surgery July 21st, tentatively. A bad scan between now and then could derail everything, but I can't go there. The surgery is rough, probably 12 hours in the OR and then 30 days recovery in the hospital in DC. You can read about the surgery and recovery here, on the surgeon's website. It's a little scary, lots of tubes. One of my internet friends refers to it as the MOAS - Mother Of All Surgeries. I'm guessing it will make my 3 c-sections look like a walk in the park.

That's it, the new plan. I'm probably in for a few more rounds of chemo before the surgery, but they have to stop about a month before the actual operation. Chemo inhibits your body's ability to heal and you need to be able to heal after the surgery. Then post-surgery, I'll probably have about 8 weeks recovery before resuming chemo for another 6 rounds.

Sean will likely stay with me in DC for a few weeks post-surgery. Then I think I'll send him home and some friends can come sit by my bedside and cater to my every whim.

Thanks as always for the kind notes, cards, packages, food, prayers that continue to bless us every day. Having you all here to support us through this journey means the world.

7 comments:

Sara said...

Really glad you posted this update. I've been wondering, but didn't want to bother you.

I'm excited that you've found another option for additional treatment and hope that it goes exceedingly well.

Good luck! Still thinking of you...

Art Usher said...

I volunteer to come sit by your bedside and cater to your every whim!!!

Love,
Art Usher

Varina said...

It is good to have a plan...

Stacey Tovino said...

Based on this wonderful post, I think that you should be wearing the Super(wo)man costumes from your previous posts. :)

Mahima said...

Good Luck Lisa Marie!!! My thoughts and prayers are with you. I have faith that it will go well.

Leslie said...

Wow, well a plan is always a start. Sounds like a tough one, but if anyone can handle it, you can. I am assuming your mom will stay with kids and if so, please tell her to call Carole. She has wanted to help out for so long but just didnt know what to do. I am sure she would love to sit with Denise and help with kids. I can get her there if needed. Just keep that in mind. Prayers are still with ya. Thanks for sharing:)

Mama T said...

I've really been wondering what's going on, thanks for writing to keep us current. Hope you have many jelly beans to keep you going :)