Results of Dave’s Doc appointment’s today

Hello all…

Here is another post from my journal to update everyone!

Our appointment with Radiology intervention was at 10, and we really weren’t sure what procedure they were going to do, so when Dave was called back, I was kinda clueless as to what to expect when he came out. I got lost in a good book, and waited for about an hour, and out he came. He is all smiles, and tells me that they removed the drain tube and bag! He said that prior to that, they took an exray of the area where the drain tube was inserted. The VIR Doc told him that it appeared that the bile was flowing freely through the duct, so they were able to remove the tube. They told him it looked as though the area around the tube was no longer swollen. This was GREAT news! He so wanted that drain tube taken out!

Lunch time for us, as we had to wait for a 2:00 appointment with Doc Hawk, so we headed down to Cafe Barnes for lunch. We still had about an hour to pass, so we decided that we would go take in the beautiful day by sitting outside. Mr. Graff took a short nap, and I got lost in my book again. FINALLY 1:45 comes around so we head to Doc’s waiting room. We are called back about 2:15, only to once again…WAIT. Doc was running behind today, and it was 3:15 when he came in to see us. He tells Dave that he could tell from the minute he walked in the door that his color was much better. He tells him that he has lost all the fluid, and weight, but as long as his appetite is good, it is a good thing. We tell him about getting the drain tube removed, and learned that it actually was a stent. The tube was the stent that was placed in the duct to allow it to drain. Doc says that it appears that he no longer had the infection, and did not need his IV/PIC line in his arm. Doc removed it right there in his office, and Dave was once again tube free!

Doc Hawk explains to us that he is still unsure of what the blockage is, but the fact that Dave is feeling better, that the swelling is gone, that the duct is draining, is a good thing. He tells us we know that it is either damage from the radiation, or the cancer has returned. He said, if it is in fact that the cancer has returned, then we will be glad that we did radiation. He says, if it is damage from the radiation then we just deal with what comes along, and correct it as it happens. Doc says, “We have done everything humanly possible to fight this cancer, now, we watch and wait.”

Doc wants to scan Dave in October, to see if there has been any changes to the duct, and anywhere else, and to check for any sign of recurrence. Dave and I both decided that we wanted to wait until after the wedding to deal with the scan, and what might be, whether it be a recurrence, or another surgery or simply GREAT news, and that is what we are gonna hope and pray for! So, we scheduled the scan for OCTOBER 29th, the Friday after the wedding.

Doc told us all the signs to look for if there was another infection, and Dave knows what to expect if he feels it happening again.

Dave seems to feel very good about things right now, and is looking forward to getting back to normal once again. He is still off work, not sure when he will return just yet, and that is a good thing. He still needs to take it easy.

Thanks so much to all of you for your thoughts and prayers sent our way!

hugs!