The first steps start here......

August 2, 2013

Again this year it's time to go to the beach. We don't usually call it the shore. It's always be 'the beach' although this year, we are particularly aware of the Jersey Shore and its blessings that almost disappeared during Sandy.

We have been coming to Lavallette for the last 20 years....probably more.  And we love it.  We draw on beach stories throughout the entire year.   So we were excited to come to our cottage again.  I call it a cottage because it sounds more charming than the 2 bedroom shack that we all pile in to every year....Tommy, me, Rachel, Dave, Nicole, Keith, Sophia andBruno.  We chose it because it's two houses from the beach and has a back "cottage" that Pat and Maria and their family rent during the same time.  Every day is an adventure with family games, meals together and general mayhem.

August 5, 2013

I had been bothered by stomach pains--nothing big--just annoying-- and a lack of apetite--even more annoying!  By Monday the "gas" had worsened a little and my urine had turned very dark.  Concerned about a kidney infection, I asked Maria, my resident medical advisor with the most experience, if I should see a doctor.  Immediate response, "Yes!  and you should go now."  More about Maria later.....

So, after looking for a walk-in clinic, Tommy and I were off.  They tricked us by giving the address of the emergency dept at Community Medical Center, Toms River.  While I argued with Tommy about going in, he was parking the car and assuring me it would be okay.   I didn't want to stay because the emergency room was so close to the hospital and I was having none of that!!!  Anyway, within an hour, I was registered, tested and waiting for my room.  The preliminary diagnosis was agitated gallbladder with a  touch or pancreatitis.  The treatment - bed rest and no food or drink until they settled down.  Four days later (four days) they felt it was time for the test - a fairly minor procedure.  A small tube with eyes at the end would go in and remove the gallstone that was blocking the bile duct would be removed.  The next day they would remove the gallbladder laproscopically and a day or so later I would go home.  Bad news---no gallstone!  Instead, there is a mass that had covers the bile duct, preventing the pancreas fluids to escape and do their job.  Hence, the uncomfortable feeling and pain.   I will say that, for me, the pain was minimal-just constant and wearing on me.....so I admit it.....I took the drugs they offered.  The doctor spoke to Tommy and Nicole following the procedure with the bad news.

Friday,  August 9, 2013

Home to the beach cottage...

Everyone was waiting and excited that Nana was home, a little worse for wear but so happy to be back to the heart of my life.

Saturday, August 10, 2013

The preliminary blessings... 

• The hospital didn't know me and started from scratch.  They didn't need to take that long family history.  They didn't need to experiment with what "may" be wrong with my stomach.  There was no "Try a bland diet for a week and call us" and then  "Try prilosec for a week and call us."  Try blah, blah, blah...."    The doctors - all of my new friends - the gp, the gastro, the surgeon,  the gastro surgeon - all just looked at the problem and found a way to fix it immediately or make a recommendation. God bless them!

• Nicole and Tommy sucked it in and started research two hours after diagnosis.  They found "the place" for follow-up, Thomas Jefferson Hospital, Philadelphia, the most renowned doctor on the east coast, Charles Yeo, Director of Surgery.  They researched the surgery, the preparation, the follow-up and all the details that will go with the procedures that come up.   Got a question, ask them!

• My family is together day and night - 24/7 - There is no place to go!!!  We can talk, hug and cry together as often as we want and we do - individually, two at a time and sometimes as a group.   When we accidentally bump in our small space, we hug.

• Sophia and Bruno are here!  There is no sadness around them!  They bring such joy to my life!!!  Bruno explained to Dave, "Nana has a walrus in her stomach."   By the way, has anyone spent more than 4 minutes with Keith?

• Tommy - my greatest blessing! 

More blessings to come.....

Monday, August 12, 2013

The surgery as I understand it...

We have a tentative appointment on Thursday in Philadelphia to discuss if I am a candidate for the surgery.   It's called the Whipple.  There is a mini and a major.  The mini involves removing the pancreas duct and the gall bladder and resectioning and reconstructing the connections.  The regular surgery will remove the gall bladder, the pancreas bile duct, part of the liver, stomach and small intestine.  Then resection and rebuild all my insides.  

Thank God they are leaving my uterus and ovaries!!!

We received cautiously optimistic news today....The pathology report was finalized and it reads, "no apparent evidence of malignancy."   The surgeon had warned me about that, tho.   Their equipment is not sophisticated enough to do a thorough biopsy.  They took a 'brushing' from the very tip.   But, and this is huge, it may indicate the smaller surgery.   For now, I'm holding on to that.   We'll know on Thursday.

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Great news....Apparently, I am a candidate for the Whipple.  I have an appointment in Philadelphia at 9:30 am.   Yayyyyy!

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