Battle #1 done!

[mike's wife]

MIke had a right hemicoloctomy today and the procedure was text book! No complications and no other organs show any trace of cancer anywhere. On the other hand, the lymph nodes are involved, but we won't know how many until after the biopsy. Not sure how many they removed, but was told Doc went pretty deep and took out every one he could find in the area. His port was also installed right after the resection was complete.

I had an amazing support group hang out at the hospital with me the entire time and never even opened the book I brought. I'm spending the night here at the hospital tonight and so far my main job has been feeding Mike ice chips - in addition to updating my blog & facebook LOL

The epidural is working well, but Mike started to have some pain at the port site as well as his ribs around the top of his incision so he's been given additional pain meds through the IV. He also doesn't have feeling in his right thigh. He can finally move his leg and foot some and seems to be getting feeling in his foot and lower leg. Anesthesiologist said it should be fine after the epidural wears off. Anyone else have this experience? Mike does have the leg compressors on as well.

Thank you for all the support shown on my previous posts!

Mike's Wife (Heather)

[BrownBagger]

I'm so glad the operation went well. Hopefully Mike will be out of the hospital and back home healing in a few days.

[Anji]

So glad it went well!!! No experiencce with the epidural, but do know that Larry required some heavy duty pain meds for the first two days or so.

Sending prayers your way for a quick, uneventful recovery!

[lydia123]

Glad everything went well.

Remember to get some sleep yourself!

Lydia

[RayGirl]

Yeah for textbook surgery! Glad everything went well. I didn't have the epidrual, but I was heavy on the drugs for the first few days, but weaned off them pretty quick.

[Bev G]

Hi Heather:

I'm so happy for you both that things went well. I know it is a huge relief for you. Totally normal about the diminished sensation with the epidural--not to worry, all that feeling will be back soon. While Mike rests, you eat, drink and nap! I hope you're both out of there soon. There's nothing like a good support group

All the best, Bev

[clarabelle64]

That's so good. Lots of sleep and rest to get Mike back up and running!!! Thank God everything went accoring to plan,
you look after yourself too!
Clarabelle

[Phuong]

I've had the epi with each of my surgeries and had the same thing happened to me. It has to do with where the needle is placed. The anesthesiologist can adjust it, but removing the bandage was no fun. It did make it easier for me to walk though, and ultimately the sooner you walk and the more you move around, the faster you heal. It was worth the pain to get me out of the hospital sooner than later. Home is such a happier place!

[janklo]

That's good new so far! Be sure to get as much rest as you can. Have someone stay with Mike every night if possible, he needs a "patient advocate" to help him. Hoping for continued good news!

[edinaman]

I'm so glad that the surgery went well. One bit of advice that I forgot on your other post. Have him take some extra pain meds about a half hour before walking. A friend I know who works in a hospital gave me that advice before my surgery. It makes getting up and walking easier.
Jeff

[karin]

Glad to hear the surgery went well. Here's to a speedy and uneventful recovery for him!!
Warmest wishes,
Karin

[live2jett]

So glad the surgery went well! I think it helps to have someone you love stay with you at the hospital. Great news that know other organs were involved!

[SkiFletch]

Great news, now let's keep that wound clean, and get him walking and pooping so he can get out of the big house

As for the numbness, anasthesiologists are like radiologists and lawyers, notoriously hard to pin down on their oppinions. So if he said it should resolve itself, he's probably overly confident in that answer, thus feeling good enough to tell you. I'd believe him/her

[pleistocene]

Fantastic news that it didn't infiltrate other organs! You are doing a great job keeping it all together, Heather. This is a lot to go through in a short span of time. Make sure you rest when you can and don't wear yourself out. Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

[dianne052506]

Thanks for sharing the good news! Here's to an uneventful hospital stay and a speedy recovery!
Dianne