Yesterday was quite a day. Troy had an MRI done on his liver, a Doppler Ultrasound done on his right arm and on his right leg. Another endless day of medical tests. They can't use the veins in his right arm so his left arm is starting to look like a pincushion!
He called me at about 2:00 to tell me that they found a blood clot behind his right knee and that he may need to be admitted to the hospital. That was scary! I had been more worried about the MRI on his liver up to that point. I was about to leave work to meet him for his appointment with Dr. Ramchandani (the surgeon) so I headed out to meet him at Dr. Jac's office instead. Dr. Jac decided that he would not admit him, apparently this is a common side effect of the cancer treatment. He put him on a blood thinner and now Troy has to give himself a shot in the stomach twice a day. By the way, the liver turned out to be OK!
We feel like we are really blessed to have been referred to Dr. Ramchandani. He is a thoracic and cardiac surgeon which is important to have for this kind of procedure. The procedure itself called Transhiatal Esophagectomy or Transthoracic Esophagectomy (depending on which one the surgeon decides) is a technically demanding procedure and will involve removing part or all of the esophagus, possibly part of the stomach and the lymph nodes in the surrounding area. The stomach is used to reconstruct the esophagus. We both feel very confident in Dr. Ramchandani's skills.
We spent a long time visiting with Dr. Ramchandani about the surgery and recovery. He told Troy that he wants to make sure we realize that this is a major surgery, the procedure will take about 6 hours. We expect a hospital stay of about 10 days and the recovery to take about 2 months. The surgery is scheduled for May 14th! We are both a little shaken by the fact that surgery is only a little over a week away. Dr. R told us (this is a direct quote): "I will get you well so you can take me sailing". I knew we took up sailing for a reason!
Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God. Ephesians 6:10-11
3 comments:
Hey guys, it was great to hear from Troy today, and you talk about a visual image...Troy I was sitting at the hairdressers with my hair in permanent wave rollers with the horrible smell of those chemicals engulfing my head and dripping in places that stuff just shouldn't drip, waiting for the time to pass so she could move on to the next step of torture us women put ourselves through in that aweful name of vanity, when you called. I hope I didn't sound too dopey while I was talking to you, I couldn't hear very well, so I checked in to the blog tonight and confirmed what you were telling me. It all sounds good guys, I am so happy for you both and am so proud of your faith in our awesome God and each other. We only have one day at a time and I am so thrilled to see you both making the most of each one you have. I think of yu both often and am so glad to hear that Brother Bill is going sailing with you this weekend. You will certainly enjoy a tale or two I'm sure. God Bless I will keep up more frequently, you two have certainly been through the wringer this year, but like Job, yu still stand strong! Love ya'll, In Christ, Lynette
Well, I guess you really will look like a pin cushion when you get finished giving yourself the shots in your stomach.
Do you look like a sprinkler after you drink something?
What an answer to prayer on the liver test!!! I am so thankful that it turned out ok!!!
All the West Texas prayer warriors will continue to be in prayer for you. We pray that the surgery & recovery go great, and that you are able to take the surgeon sailing soon.
Love ya, Esther
Hey Brother Troy & Sister Deana, JESUS LUVS YA!!!
Thinking of you constantly lifting you up to the Lord. God has everything under control.
Love yall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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