Wednesday morning they removed the 2 neck drains and it felt so good to have the pressure off my neck. I was also cleared to fly home. We had a great farewell lunch in Houston and flew home Wednesday afternoon. The flight once again was bumpy ( It's never a good sign when everyone puts their laptops away and stares straight ahead). We got home around 8 o'clock and I can't begin to express how great it felt to be home.
Thursday night I had significant swelling in my neck and it was difficult to breathe and swallow, so we called my local head and neck surgeon and he advised us to come see him Friday morning.
Friday Dr. Hill performed a needle aspiration and removed a significant amount of fluid to relieve the swelling and pressure in my neck. We are hoping the significant swelling is finished but it may remain as a long term complication.
I hope everyone is doing well and I miss you all!
Friday, April 30, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
A Monday morning update
Well we went to the hospital this morning early to get the neck drains out but I am still passing too much blood/fluid in my drains to remove (I swear if I put two big bolts in my neck I wouldn't look any scarier!), so I am stuck in Houston until at least Wednesday afternoon. I re-booked our flight to Wednesday at 4:30. Melanie's parents left for the airport a few minutes ago. We were really lucky to have their help! I heard from my MBA friends and they are having a riot in Europe and it was so nice to hear from them, it really picked up my mood on Sunday. I miss everyone at home, work and school and I can't wait to see everyone! Joe
Saturday, April 24, 2010
It has been a little challenging...
Friday after my surgery I was checked into hospital room 308 at about 12:30am. I was so lucky because I had world class nurses! My Post OR Recovery nurse was an angel and then my nurse in room 308 was equally amazing. They made me comfortable during such a miserable period and I love them for their caring effort and personal attention!!!
I checked out of room 308 at noon and Melanie took me to the condo to see Aaron and Ryan who were very worried about me after the hellacious night. They got me situated in bed and took a cab to the airport. My loving and caring in-laws arrived at the condo and helped Melanie get her feet back under her. My family and I are very lucky to have such wonderful people like Bud and Berna to lean on.
We had a kind of a rocky night as I had to go to the emergency room to ensure that my left neck drain was working correctly, because I don't have another procedure in me right now. We saw a head and neck surgeon who bled the drain and got it functioning properly again. My poor family took me home without dinner. Just confirms what I said earlier...
I can't wait to come home, see everyone, and get back in my routine because I am a creature of habit. Joe
I checked out of room 308 at noon and Melanie took me to the condo to see Aaron and Ryan who were very worried about me after the hellacious night. They got me situated in bed and took a cab to the airport. My loving and caring in-laws arrived at the condo and helped Melanie get her feet back under her. My family and I are very lucky to have such wonderful people like Bud and Berna to lean on.
We had a kind of a rocky night as I had to go to the emergency room to ensure that my left neck drain was working correctly, because I don't have another procedure in me right now. We saw a head and neck surgeon who bled the drain and got it functioning properly again. My poor family took me home without dinner. Just confirms what I said earlier...
I can't wait to come home, see everyone, and get back in my routine because I am a creature of habit. Joe
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Surgery
Our day started very early this morning, 4 o'clock MST. Joe Checked in for surgery at 7 am, the surgery began at 10 am and was completed about 1:15. We were able to talk to the surgeon (Dr. Clayman) right after the surgery- who declared the surgery a complete success. He was able to remove the cancerous nodules completely and cleanly.
Unfortunatley at 4 o'clock while Joe was still in recovery, they discovered quite a bit of swelling by the incision. It was decided at that point they would need to take him back into surgery and clean out the area by the incision. The surgery was quick and Dr. Clayman diagnosed bleeding from a cut in the jugular, a complication that should not lengthen his recovery time too much.
Unfortunatley at 4 o'clock while Joe was still in recovery, they discovered quite a bit of swelling by the incision. It was decided at that point they would need to take him back into surgery and clean out the area by the incision. The surgery was quick and Dr. Clayman diagnosed bleeding from a cut in the jugular, a complication that should not lengthen his recovery time too much.
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Two long days
Tuesday was a day of tests at MD Anderson. It began with a blood test and after the first draw they realized that they forget one test so another stab was made. The anesthesiologist requested 6 more vials which amounted to three stabs! The CT scan was at the end of the day where they used a large IV, when they pulled the IV they could not stop the bleeding.
They couldn't stop the bleeding because the chemotherapy drug had significantly reduced my clotting ability. It was kind of intense and there was some doubt as to if I would be able to have surgery on Thursday.
The good news is the CT scan did not show the cancer spreading the long three months between when we found out and when I was finishing my MBA.
The kids got in and it is so comforting to have them here. We ate a great Texas meal at Goode Co BBQ.
Wednesday morning we met with the surgeon who was able to confirm there would be no issues with the surgery related to bleeding and the surgery would not have to be delayed. Aaron and Ryan were able to attend the appointment and ask questions, which was a big relief to both of them and helped them feel good about the surgery. I had an ultrasound at 12:30 and then we went to downtown Houston and ate at a Cuban/Mexican eatery for a late lunch and it was great! The hospital called and scheduled my surgery check-in for 7:00am tomorrow. We are going to Pappadeaux for a large dinner to hold me until after surgery.
They couldn't stop the bleeding because the chemotherapy drug had significantly reduced my clotting ability. It was kind of intense and there was some doubt as to if I would be able to have surgery on Thursday.
The good news is the CT scan did not show the cancer spreading the long three months between when we found out and when I was finishing my MBA.
The kids got in and it is so comforting to have them here. We ate a great Texas meal at Goode Co BBQ.
Wednesday morning we met with the surgeon who was able to confirm there would be no issues with the surgery related to bleeding and the surgery would not have to be delayed. Aaron and Ryan were able to attend the appointment and ask questions, which was a big relief to both of them and helped them feel good about the surgery. I had an ultrasound at 12:30 and then we went to downtown Houston and ate at a Cuban/Mexican eatery for a late lunch and it was great! The hospital called and scheduled my surgery check-in for 7:00am tomorrow. We are going to Pappadeaux for a large dinner to hold me until after surgery.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Just hanging around
We got in yesterday afternoon. The flight was pretty turbulent, but we arrived alive and no less for the wear.
The humidity is around 90%, a lot like Hawaii minus the ocean, flora, fauna, etc. Great for Joe's asthma (not so much for my hair).
We are looking forward to the kids arrival tomorrow and ready for multiple tests and doctor appointments.
The humidity is around 90%, a lot like Hawaii minus the ocean, flora, fauna, etc. Great for Joe's asthma (not so much for my hair).
We are looking forward to the kids arrival tomorrow and ready for multiple tests and doctor appointments.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Big Day
This was a really big day almost two years in the making. Joe had his last day of class and also finished the last of his chemotherapy. I am not sure which he is more excited about. Feeling satisfied with what he has accomplished a little melancholy that all the hard work is over, but mostly he will miss getting to see his fellow classmates on a regular basis. He is especially grateful to the people in his group that helped him out these last few months while he has not felt well.
MBA done-we are ready to conquer the week ahead.
MBA done-we are ready to conquer the week ahead.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Getting ready
All set for Houston. Joe’s Short term disability is approved as is Melanie’s FMLA. Plane tickets are purchased for kids (Aaron and Ryan) and Melanie’s parents (Bud and Berna). Flying out on Sunday, April 17th.
Monday is a free day. Tuesday is a full day of Tests at MD Anderson till 6pm to ensure that Joe’s cancer has not spread, Aaron and Ryan arrive in Houston at 3pm. Wednesday we meet with Dr. Gary Clayman our surgeon and we will go over the surgery. Thursday Joe is scheduled for surgery at 8:30am, the surgery will remove the affected lymph nodes and Dr. Clayman is also performing a “bilateral paratracheal central compartment dissection”. Friday Aaron and Ryan are flying out and Bud and Berna are flying in. We are scheduled to fly home Monday evening April 26th.
Monday is a free day. Tuesday is a full day of Tests at MD Anderson till 6pm to ensure that Joe’s cancer has not spread, Aaron and Ryan arrive in Houston at 3pm. Wednesday we meet with Dr. Gary Clayman our surgeon and we will go over the surgery. Thursday Joe is scheduled for surgery at 8:30am, the surgery will remove the affected lymph nodes and Dr. Clayman is also performing a “bilateral paratracheal central compartment dissection”. Friday Aaron and Ryan are flying out and Bud and Berna are flying in. We are scheduled to fly home Monday evening April 26th.
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