The surgery is scheduled for Tuesday July 19th, probably at O-dark thirty.
The surgery is called a partial hepatectomy. Though I only have one confirmed met in the liver, to be safe they will likely remove most/all of the right lobe since the liver regenerates anyway (who knew!). Because your digestive system shuts down in sympathy, I expect to be in the hospital for 5-7 days to ensure proper digestive function before they release me. I have never been admitted to a hospital or had anything other than minor hand surgery - so this will be new. I really look forward to hospital food. ;-) I will be taking a medical leave from work and they said to anticipate 4 weeks for recovery.
This gives me 4 weeks until the surgery, and I intend to LIVE LARGE during this time. I'll be taking vacation the week prior to surgery and Lu an Iwill definitely have a pre-op party at our house the weekend before.
I am scheduled for a preoperative CT and PET scan on July 29th. I hope and pray that this shows
a) Liver met has shrunk significantly
b) no other mets have appeared during chemo
c) generally that I've kicked cancer's arse with this round of chemo
So the real question is -- How will this impact your ability to enjoy a glass or two of wine? Is half a liver not sufficient? How long does it take to grow back?
ReplyDeleteJim, how much can you bring your life to the hospital, i.e., bring your own mattress, sheets, pillows? My two cents, to the extent you can assert control over your environment the better off you are.
ReplyDeleteMarie - I suspect I'm on the wagon for a while after the surgery.
ReplyDeleteBrian - good question. Probably not my own mattress but a good point on the other items. Can I repaint the hospital room and install a flat screen TV?
Hey Jim, congrats on making it through 6 rounds of chemo!! Living Large makes a lot of sense. And by the way, since when do you NOT quality as an elite athlete? I say bring on the EPO! Anyhow, hope to ride with you prior to surgery. How about part or all of STP day #2? It can be arranged. Don
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that date for surgery is scheduled - easier to plan for now. Love the LIVING LARGE campaign/slogan. There will be plenty of time to sleep after surgery!
ReplyDeleteI bet you BIG money that the scans will not show any new disease. Remember that steep fall in CEA?!