Friday, May 4, 2007

Back to the drawing board

Well, the good news is Diana still has both lungs. The biopsy of the lymph nodes showed another tumor, and the surgeon isn't willing to take her lung while that's there. I guess Monday, we'll start working up another plan --something with chemo and radiation, and maybe surgery will be an option down the road.

So, Diana will come back home today. I guess we still know more than we did two months ago, but it feels like we're kind of back where we started.

Dad pointed out that we definitely made the right decision -- the first surgeon was going to remove the lung without biopsy, so this would have bit us six months down the road, after her lung was removed.

That's about all I have for bright spots right now, though...

Sorry -- no internet access in the 'day of surgery lounge.' We just got home -- apparently, one of her lungs 'leaked' during the mediastinoscopy, so she has air outside her lungs (pleural cavity?) They took a couple of x-rays to make sure everything was okay, so recovery took longer.

Diana is groggy and nauseous, but she's got Trooley on her lap and a half-smile on her face.

More later -- we're beat.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Shit- OK, Plan B I guess. We love you. Katie

nancyturtle said...

Ditto Katie. And I also agree with Doc and had the same thought myself after Kevin called this morning.
The "leak" is called a pneumothorax and it is air in the pleural cavity. Must not have been alot or Diana wouldn't be home now. Did she get meds for nausea? Of course that would make the grogginess last longer. Ginger tea might be better if she can get that down.

Else said...

Sometimes working for a cure is more work than you first expect. I don't think we ever doubted your work ethic.
love,
else

jason weeks said...

Hi Kevin and Diana,
Haven't seen you all for a while, but friends have been keeping me posted about Diana's illness and let me know about this blogspot.

All I can say right now is I love you. You are very important in my life. For one thing, you are some of the few people in this world who actually accepted one of my job applications.

I'd like to stop by some time when I won't be getting in the way. Yours, Jason

dp said...

Hey, folks!

I wonder if anyone has compiled a list of "Forbidden Blogging Words," like Carlin's for TV..?.. I'm sure Kevin echoed Katie's and Nancy's sentiments, perhaps even more vehemently...

We don't have a solidified Plan B (or C or D, which we should probably devise) and we're both a bit uneasy having to wait until Monday. Sounds like I can return to Rehab next week, as well.

We found it interesting that we were the ones who taught the Charge Nurse in 2nd Stage Recovery that some patients are doing Rehab before the fact. He found it as sensible as we, and I must say that I'm sure part of why I'm not feeling as badly as everyone anticipated is because I can get up and move around. Most of the soreness is in my neck and upper shoulders, and, of course, when I cough, which I'm doing much more of since yesterday.

I didn't get anything for nausea. I easily lost the four glasses of water and cup of tea on the way to the parking structure yesterday. Freaked out a couple children who were walking by *winces* but the escort was wonderful in staying with me and Kevin until it subsided, emptied the bucket and was most comforting.

Vomited once again last night, and a bit this morning, but I don't think we'll need anything beyond Pepto at this point. I kept down the grilled tuna and salad that Kevin made last night *yeah*

Thanks for the reminder about the ginger *goes to get a Vernors's*

Else, please send everyone our love. Tell Elizabeth that we didn't forget her birthday, we just didn't get the card sent, which we'll remedy today.

Jason, how wonderful to hear from you! We wave at your house every time we pass -- pretty much daily. Can't wait for your peony patch to bloom. We're staying pretty close to home, so just give us a call.

Make a nice weekend; you're in our thoughts with love.

-dp

nancyturtle said...

I must confess to using stronger language as well, but thought google would block me if I used it here.
Ummmmm-Vernor's. Yet another good reason to visit DaWoods, and it tastes alot better than ginger tea!

Anonymous said...

Well this is a revoltin' development. My Mom said you knew you were an adult when doing the right thing sucks. S.