Another good day

Sorry for the gap in the posting but between Facebook and texting, I couldn't keep up! Anyway, Dad was in surgery until about 10:30AM, we met with his surgeon about 10:45AM, and we got to see him in his room about noon. The surgeon said it went well just a little longer than usual due to the scar tissue from his surgery last April-they used the same incision area-and the size of the hernia. They also let us know that things looked good with no signs of any cancer - what a bonus!

Once we were in his room, we knew he was doing ok because he sent me to the car to get his 2 rolling cases with his cell phones, laptop, etc. We stayed with him in the room for an hour or so and then Chris, Mom and I went to get lunch finally. After lunch I said a quick hello before heading off to work for a couple of hours. Chris stayed with Mom and Jonathan got there a little bit after I left. Dad is in good spirits and seems to be handling his pain ok...around a 6 on a scale of 1-10 vs. off the charts when he had his cancer surgery. They will keep him overnight at least and see how he's doing to determine if he goes home Friday or more likely, on Saturday.

Thanks to all for your thoughts and prayers! We are a very blessed family!

Hernia Repair Surgery

Hi all,

Dad is having his abdominal hernia repaired via surgery today at Baylor Southwest Hospital. Patient check-in was at 6AM and they took him from his room to surgery just after 7AM - his surgery was scheduled for 7:30AM. About 8:10AM Mom got a call from the nurse to let us know that he was doing well. It's supposed to take about an hour and a half but they are also doing some scar tissue removal from his Whipple procedure last April. So we'll let you know when we know more.

Thanks!
Jennifer

1 Year Anniversary!

Hi Everyone,

Things have been going so well that I have been VERY absent from blogging since late last year. What they say is true in this case, no news is good news! Dad did have some recent tests and a prostate biopsy but everything came back ok and he doesn't have any follow ups until this fall.

But I thought it was fitting to do a 1 Year Anniversary post since April 27, 2010 marks 1 year since Dad had his surgery down at MD Anderson in Houston, TX. My husband Chris told me all along that we had many more good times, great meals, and holidays to share with Dad but it was often hard to believe him at the time. This is 1 case where I am very glad to admit he was right.

In recognition of this special day, I encourage you to take a few minutes to let everyone you love know how you feel. Life gets busy and hectic - believe me I know - so it's nice to take a break from it all and enjoy the ones that we all work so hard for in the first place.

And...Happy Birthday wishes to Mom who will be celebrating her birthday this Thursday!

Results of Dad's Recent Follow Up at MD Anderson

Hi everyone,

As you know I haven't been blogging much since Dad has gone back to a pretty "normal" life and schedule with work and all. But Mom & Dad were in Houston recently combining Dad's business trip for a helicopter trade show with his next follow up appointments at MD Anderson. We're pleased to report that things are looking good...

• Ultrasound of neck/thyroid indicates everything is stable - still no plans for surgery, just continued monitoring
• Chest x-ray is fine
• CT of abdomen and pelvis looks good - no evidence of recurrent cancer!!!

On a different note, Dad's PSA levels are up so he'll be having another prostate biopsy at the end of March to check things out and see if he needs additional treatments. I'll keep you posted as we learn more on this front. Have a good day!

"Normal"

Dad is back to what he calls "normal" while the rest of us would say he's still slightly off center, but that's "normal" too. Anyway, Pappadeaux's is running all-you-can-eat-lobster on Tuesday's for about $45 bucks per person. So Dad and Brandon, a co-worker, did their best to get their money's worth by consuming 5 lobsters a couple weeks ago. (Chris out did them by 1 last week when we went by eating 6 or 6lbs worth!)

October has been busy with business trips for Dad and will be topped off by attending Katie and Brian's wedding in S. Padre Island. Mom tagged along with Dad last week when they had to go to Orlando, Florida for the week. I'm sure he had to twist her arm to go hang out in the sun!

November is looking to be just as busy with trips to Ann Arbor, Michigan to see the "Northern" Craig's, Mom's cousin's daughter's wedding in Cancun, and Grandma Louise's 91st birthday.

Hope everyone is doing equally well and have a safe and happy HALLOWEEN! BOO!

Thyroid Surgery Postponed

I got a faxed copy of Dad's pathology report from his thyroid biopsy (couldn't make anything of it) and an email message to call him. Of course I called him right away and was relieved to hear that the doctors are simply postponing his thyroid surgery for now. So no Houstion trip after Turkey Day after all. He was traveling when I talked to him so I'll follow up with more info when I learn more. Stay tuned!

Recap of Dad's 1st Follow-up

All in all, Dad got a good report on his 1st follow up visit after his surgery at the end of April and release to come home in May. Those of you that have seen him lately know that he's bounced back to be the "same old Vince" that he was before his cancer diagnosis. On this visit, his abdominal/chest CT scan and blood work were all good. In fact, he's recovered so well that instead of seeing his surgeon, Dr. Pisters, he met with the PA (physician assistant) and didn't have to meet with the nutritionist at all.

If you're sensing a "but" then here it is...Dad had a spot on his thyroid that showed up about 5 months ago on a head/neck CT scan. At the time, the cancer and tumor in his intestine/bile duct were much more pressing so the physicians agreed to monitor the spots on his thyroid. Well the 3 cm spot on the right side of his thyroid is the same size and has tested benign based on the previous biopsy. However the spot on the left side has developed/grown into a cluster of a-typical cells so we are waiting on the pathology results to come back. Based on what they do know, the physician is recommending Dad have his thyroid removed and he's scheduled to do this the 1st week of December at MD Anderson.

So in the grand scheme of things, this is still very good progress and we are very blessed by how well things have gone for Dad and that he has had the opportunity to be treated at MD Anderson. There was a small part of me that knew this wasn't likely the end of his cancer battle but I would be lying if I told you that there wasn't an equally small part of me that was really hoping this might be the end for awhile. It obviously hasn't slowed Dad down since he and Mom drove home from Houston this afternoon only for Mom to drop him off at the airport to head to Salt Lake City for a business trip. That's Dad for you! (Between both of my parents, you can see where I get my workaholic tendencies from!)

On a different note, please say an extra prayer for my Dad and Grandma Louise because my Dad's older brother Santon is gearing up for his own fight against lung cancer pending some additional pathology reports. He's a retired radiologist himself so I'm sure he will be connected with some of the best at the Univ of Michigan for treatment.

Thanks again for your continued support! I'll keep you posted as we learn more about Dad's thyroid surgery in December.