Still at the hospital :(

[Siti]

Glad the tumour is out! Most importantly, I wish your husband a speedy recovery.

[jep]

Siti, I’m sorry for the confusion, but the tumor is not out....the surgeon created a bypass so that my husband’s bowel function will not be impeded by the partial blockage....curative surgery is not really an option at this point (because of the problematic nodes near and around the vena cava)....the hope is that my husband will heal quickly and continue with the phase 1 trial...

[DarknessEmbraced]

I'm sorry your husband is having such a hard time and I hope his recovery goes well!*hugs*

[Siti]

I don’t know what else to say but sending positive vibes your way. I hope he will recover ASAP!

[GrouseMan]

We did know about this recurrence in his colon.....he did have radiation on this area, but it obviously didn’t work....also, the initial plan for August’s surgery was to remove the nodes AND that section of his colon/rectum....the surgery was aborted to give him the opportunity to start treatment ASAP....the thinking was that the recovery from that type of surgery could be very long (given his history).....also, the tumor is actually on the outside of the colon and suppressing the colon in that spot....squeezing it.....so, he started the clinical trial hoping that we would see results....and here we are....does that make sense (?)

The tumor on the outside of the colon is what caused my wife to pass. It was not thought to impact the colon so much as it had her ureter from her kidney to her bladder. It ended up causing a blockage initially to the ureter which they kept open with placement of a stent for several months. I think the stents contributed to her back pain. They had to be replaced about every 6 weeks I think it was. It was difficult to visualize via scans and when it suddenly started to impact her colon, they tried to by pass it. But that failed for some reason we are not sure why. She was in a lot of pain prior to and after the surgery due to back issues And found it very difficult to walk and wake up her colon after surgery. Her Surgeon who a very experienced board certified Colorectal surgeon was skeptical the bypass to a colostomy would work but he tried anyway. So though the bypass to a colostomy gave her some relief for a day or so. She started throwing up bile again a day or so later, and nothing was passing. So she had a stomach tube put in, but I was having to drain that a couple of times a day, and she wasn't getting ay nourishment as nothing was making it through her digestive track.

I hope they have much more success with your husband. The day or so of relief my wife had was fantastic but unfortunately disappointingly short lived.

Good Luck

GrouseMan

[stu]

How is he today ? Hope he is recovering well and gets back on with his trial soon ? Is it an immunotherapy trial ?
Thinking of you too !
Stu

[jep]

Thank you all for your responses...my husband is doing well today....both the foley and the NG tube were removed....he has been walking the halls and was allowed to have water, apple juice, and jello tonight....yes, the phase 1 clinical trial is a combo of 2 immunotherapies....hoping they will let him continue once he’s healed up....the thinking is that the swelling of the tumors (in both the lymph nodes and on the colon) is pseudo progression....time will tell....hoping he comes home soon....he will be on TPN at home for at least a week or 2 (?)
jep

[CRguy]

Hey jep sending MEGA POSI +++++++ vibes yours and hubby's way !!!!

Any day some kinda tube comes OUT ... is a great day
SO ... here's to moving forward with good results and lotsa'
Harmony on the Journey

Best wishes
CRguy

[Cured]

Jep, prayers for you both and hope you get to go home soon.
After my colon surgeries it was 5 days before going home; as my surgeon did not allow even liquids for days. Must be slow and gradual and not stressing the bowels.
Then I’m sure you know what foods to avoid and what you can eat at first.

Your husband is lucky to have you as a caretaker.

[jep]

Hey jep sending MEGA POSI +++++++ vibes yours and hubby's way !!!!

Any day some kinda tube comes OUT ... is a great day
SO ... here's to moving forward with good results and lotsa'
Harmony on the Journey

Best wishes
CRguy

Thank you CRguy!
Totally agree....each tube that comes out is a victory! Ready to regroup and move forward with this journey.... <3

[CRguy]

WORD !
we are all here with you, and for you ...

Always on the journey
CRguy

[GrouseMan]

Glad your husband is feeling better. That walking is very important to wake everything up again and to get things moving through the digestive system! His appetite should improve. Glad this has worked out well for him!

GrouseMan

[jep]

Hey everyone . . . just wanted to give a quick update on my husband . . . today is day 14 in the hospital . . . he is doing well (despite blood clots in both legs that have lengthened his stay). The surgeon is confident that the blood clots are under control, and my husband is now down to only 2 IVs (fluid and TPN). Hoping they will start giving him the TPN over night to rid him of that tube/wire during the day . . . They are still pushing the fluids to replenish whatever comes into the colostomy bag. Once they feel his hydration is under control, they will release him. I'm hoping it's some time this weekend (?). He's been through a lot these past 2 weeks and I just want to get him home in his recliner so he can chill and be pampered by me and our 2 girls . . . thank you all so much for your input and responses throughout this madness . . . it looks like he will be able to continue with the clinical trial (when he is physically ready). Another bright spot is the pathology report on the section of colon that was removed during the bypass: cancer free! That was a nice thing to hear . . . there is cancer on the colon, but not in that area, so that's a plus
jep

[AmyG]

Omg I can't believe he's still there. Yall must be going nuts. After my liver resection I was ready to go home day 3!! I didn't mind the actual stay or anything, I just wanted to be home.

Hope they discharge him soon.

[ginabeewell]

Just checking in - hoping the fact that you haven’t posted in a few days means that your husband is now out of the hospital?!