Well, things appear to be progressing well. Dr. Billingsley thinks that my incision is healing nicely. He shared with us the OHSU pathology and CT scan reports (I generally need as much information as possible, in case folks don't know or remember that about me from the 2007 cancer adventure), and that clarified many things for me. His only concern, shared by Karen and me, is my weight. For the first time in over 30 years, I weighed in at something less than 160 lbs (158.4 lbs, with clothing on but no shoes, sweatshirt, or pocket paraphernalia). His prescription for me for the next two weeks? Wean myself off the prescription oxycodone (transitioning to tylenol/acetaminophen or aspirin) and eat at least five times a day. He focused a lot of attention on the eating. Thank goodness I managed to build muscle-mass prior to surgery through the RISE fitness program at Salem Hospital!
So, some additional details for my super-curious friends and family...
(1) A normal human male liver weighs a little more than 3 lbs. Based on the pathology report, nearly a pound of my liver was provided for pathological analysis. That means I "lost" about a third of my functional liver during the resection. The exciting news is that about 90% of that resected liver volume will regenerate in four weeks. No wonder I have been so tired!
(2) The "clear margin" around the tumor from my left lobe was 0.6 centimeters, and from the right lobe was 0.1 cm. On the right lobe, the surgeon then resected an additional 0.4 centimeters of liver mass, and that "re-excision" was completely cancer-free. Good news there!
(3) The OHSU CT scan was generally unremarkable or consisted of confirming stuff we already knew (e.g., I have a port installed in my chest with a tube that runs to my heart, and I have some "subclinical foci" in my kidney (probably related to recent kidney stone)). It is great to be unremarkable!
Dr. Billingsley was concerned that I not start the remaining chemotherapy until I have had enough time to recover physically from the surgery. It sounded like maybe the second week in July (?), and he was glad to hear that I have an appointment scheduled with my medical oncologist (Dr. Tiffany) next Monday. We will be discussing chemotherapy with her, too.
Until then it's "Eat Santa, eat! The children expect a fat Santa!" (from Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer)
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7 comments:
Well, let me just say "WoooHoo". This is great news! Ya know, a quart of really good Ice Cream every night should cure the weight "problem". I know, you're probably thinking I could be dietitian if my day job runs dry... Yeah, - NOT!
Take care my friend, I'm so glad you're doing better!
We're still prayin' hard for ya!!!
Great report. Of all the prescriptions the doctor could have ordered, "EAT!" is most welcome. How about adding "DRINK!" after you get off the oxycodone? Lots of calories in beer.
Very positive news! With the go ahead to "Eat!" are there any food restrictions? Are there any foods that you don't like? PN
Fantastic. Rest. Eat. Eat. And eat.
Wonderful news!
This is the one and only time that I will concur that you are and should be "unremarkable." And that I take great joy in this fact.
:-)
Kay
Isn't it nice when you and your doctor can both leave happy?!! The news certainly sounds great. I have to agree with your friend Andy on the ice cream issue. Years ago Rick and I heard a speaker on healthy eating who held that ice cream is actually medicinal and supercedes all the normal rules! We've always relied on that information! The sleep issue is such a big one and you do need so much sleep right now. My doctor recommended 3mg Melatonin (OTC) to help with sleep. It's 100% drug free and has been helpful. Perhaps your doctor would give an okay on trying it. You continue to be in our prayers. We'd love to come see you for a short visit when you feel up to it. Love and hugs, Carole & Rick
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