Alrighty, first of all I am home, thanks to all of my friends and family who called me on my Cell phone or emailed me on my Blackberry to check on me this week, it meant more to me than you will know.
Debbi and I walked into the University of Maryland about 0545 on last Tuesday, June 9th for prep for my feeding tube ( J-Tube ) surgery. There were 29 people already there and ahead of me, ( yes I counted ) in a small 20 X 20 room with only 21 seats, Im already thinking uh oh this is going to be a nightmare. But honestly it went fast and pretty well organized. Before I knew it I was prepped and laying on my gurney waiting for my surgery.
Dr. Burrows briefed Debbi and I shortly before they took me into the Operating Room and informed us that they have found more Cancer and it has in fact spread to lower Lymph Nodes making the field to treat much larger than we have already anticipated.He was very blunt and straight forward in telling us that, and I quote, “ You have a very nasty beast inside you, when you wake up from your surgery and you do not feel a feeding tube installed then that means that there is nothing more that we can do for you. “ Well needless to say I awoke from surgery and the first thing I did was feel for a bandage and a tube and thank goodness there is one. My J-Tube was surgically installed into the front of my belly along with a 2 inch incision up the middle of my abdomen.
I layed in the recovery room for almost 5 hours due to lack of rooms in the hospital, I guess Tuesdays are busy days at UMD for proceedures.
I finaly got up to my room and got settled into a very nice large private room.As soon as the got me settled in Wayne (my boss) and my friend Chris came up to visit which was a very nice surprise.
I spent most of Tuesday sleeping on and off, I have been put on a no food or water by mouth diet.
Wednesday was a painful day and I was poked and prodded all day but I know it needed to be done, It was not a restful day and I still haven’t had anything to eat or drink. The surgical staff has been amazing , they have been constently popping in to check on me and just to say " Hello." The nursing and support staff on the " NIGHT SHIFT " has been an absolute nightmare to where I actually didnt feel safe at night. The night staff is just lazy, slow and unattentive, they have absolutlely no sense of unrgency.
Thursday I had my Med-port installed into the right side of my chest, that was fairly un-invasive and painless. But I still have not had anything to eat or drink yet, but they are slowly introducing me to ice chips.
Friday is “go-home” day, they served me an actual real breakfast, an Omelet, a Biscuit, Cream of Wheat and Coffee. Well the smell of the Omelet turned my stomach instantly and with really not much of an appetite anyway I decided to toss the Omelet aside and just eat the Cream of Wheat and drink the coffee.
Dr. Horiba came up to advise me that due to the extent and progress of my Cancer they we will be stepping up the dosage of the Chemo and Radiation and adding Chemo also to a daily regiment of treatment.
I’ve been briefed and trained on the daily care and maintenance of my J-Tube and Med Port. After some more paperwork and a few more check-ups , Debbi came and drove me home.
I’m home now partially bathed because I cant actually take a complete shower yet so I took a Whore Bath and at least Im not stinking from hospital funk any longer and I feel better. They once again changed my medications to a liquid form of Oxycodone which works very quickly and pretty much makes me pain free. : )~~
I would love to post some pictures but for some reason my Camera stopped working. Again thanks to everyone that has called ad emailed me….
I Love you all.
Debbi and I walked into the University of Maryland about 0545 on last Tuesday, June 9th for prep for my feeding tube ( J-Tube ) surgery. There were 29 people already there and ahead of me, ( yes I counted ) in a small 20 X 20 room with only 21 seats, Im already thinking uh oh this is going to be a nightmare. But honestly it went fast and pretty well organized. Before I knew it I was prepped and laying on my gurney waiting for my surgery.
Dr. Burrows briefed Debbi and I shortly before they took me into the Operating Room and informed us that they have found more Cancer and it has in fact spread to lower Lymph Nodes making the field to treat much larger than we have already anticipated.He was very blunt and straight forward in telling us that, and I quote, “ You have a very nasty beast inside you, when you wake up from your surgery and you do not feel a feeding tube installed then that means that there is nothing more that we can do for you. “ Well needless to say I awoke from surgery and the first thing I did was feel for a bandage and a tube and thank goodness there is one. My J-Tube was surgically installed into the front of my belly along with a 2 inch incision up the middle of my abdomen.
I layed in the recovery room for almost 5 hours due to lack of rooms in the hospital, I guess Tuesdays are busy days at UMD for proceedures.
I finaly got up to my room and got settled into a very nice large private room.As soon as the got me settled in Wayne (my boss) and my friend Chris came up to visit which was a very nice surprise.
I spent most of Tuesday sleeping on and off, I have been put on a no food or water by mouth diet.
Wednesday was a painful day and I was poked and prodded all day but I know it needed to be done, It was not a restful day and I still haven’t had anything to eat or drink. The surgical staff has been amazing , they have been constently popping in to check on me and just to say " Hello." The nursing and support staff on the " NIGHT SHIFT " has been an absolute nightmare to where I actually didnt feel safe at night. The night staff is just lazy, slow and unattentive, they have absolutlely no sense of unrgency.
Thursday I had my Med-port installed into the right side of my chest, that was fairly un-invasive and painless. But I still have not had anything to eat or drink yet, but they are slowly introducing me to ice chips.
Friday is “go-home” day, they served me an actual real breakfast, an Omelet, a Biscuit, Cream of Wheat and Coffee. Well the smell of the Omelet turned my stomach instantly and with really not much of an appetite anyway I decided to toss the Omelet aside and just eat the Cream of Wheat and drink the coffee.
Dr. Horiba came up to advise me that due to the extent and progress of my Cancer they we will be stepping up the dosage of the Chemo and Radiation and adding Chemo also to a daily regiment of treatment.
I’ve been briefed and trained on the daily care and maintenance of my J-Tube and Med Port. After some more paperwork and a few more check-ups , Debbi came and drove me home.
I’m home now partially bathed because I cant actually take a complete shower yet so I took a Whore Bath and at least Im not stinking from hospital funk any longer and I feel better. They once again changed my medications to a liquid form of Oxycodone which works very quickly and pretty much makes me pain free. : )~~
I would love to post some pictures but for some reason my Camera stopped working. Again thanks to everyone that has called ad emailed me….
I Love you all.
I would like you to know that you are, and always have been in my heart. I am so very sorry to here about your struggle. We are praying for you during this terrible time. We are here for you in anyway you need. I send you my love and want you to know that I have always been blessed to have had you in my life.
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