One year anniversary

Today marks one year since Dad was officially diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer. It's been a wild and crazy year filled with some hard times, but these were manageable given all the blessings and good times that came from our experience with cancer.

Not sure if I mentioned before how my parents told me that my dad had cancer or not, but it is a moment I will never forget. It is etched in my memory and I remember it as if it were yesterday. I always comment how they made sure to tell me in a 'public place', you know like as if I was the person being dumped in a relationship or something and they didn't want me to make a scene. They claim that the only reason they told me at the gym in the see through racquetball court was because it was the only time they could get me alone without the kids to talk to me. Whatever, we see it differently.

I didn't freak out... well, not there at the gym but as soon as I got home and searched the internet. Esophageal cancer is one of the fastest growing forms of cancer. Both in the different types of cancer and actually the speed at which this cancer can effect a person. It was really scary to read the statistics and realize, at the time, that it was more likely that my dad was not going to be here today than the likelihood that he would.

Oh how grateful we are for modern medicine. For cutting edge doctors who looked at Dad as an individual. They were able to give him a prognosis based on what his tumor looked like and where it was located as well as factored in his age, health history and physical health. They gave us hope as well as laying out the reality of what he was up for. What is most miraculous about Dad's cancer is how well he is doing since his surgery. Like I have mentioned before, I obsessively searched the internet to absorb all the information I could to prepare myself for what I thought was ahead of us. This meant I knew all of the things that could go wrong and in most cases do go wrong. It's amazing how little Dad is affected by the cancer on a day to day basis today.

Through this whole experience, I have been impressed with my dad and been able to see him in ways that I never have in the past. I saw him as someone stronger than I had ever known and at times also seen him weaker than I ever had before. I saw my dad as someone who only saw this experience as a bump in the road and took the information given him as a plan to beat what was facing him and that was it. I also saw my dad being a dad to me even when I felt like I should be taking care of him. I saw greatness in him that I think I knew was always there but I was able to see more of it than I ever knew existed.

After big storms, often the skies clear and the most beautiful weather occurs.  That is how I feel about this past year.  We had a challenging year where our family had to really be tested and think about each of our own mortality, but we would not exchange this year for anything.  We have been more united as a family than we have ever before.  Not just our little family, but our extended families as well.  Relationships have been developed more with family but also with friends and acquantances.  Through Dad's experience we have been able to give hope to others in similair situations and also been given a better opportunity to relate to others and the challenges that they face. 

Our lives are temporary.  There is no way to know for sure whether any of us will be here tomorrow or next week or next year or many years from now.  But we know now more than ever the importance of our families and the importance of loving everyone around us.

Still Cancer Free!!!

Results of the latest scans came in... Dad is still cancer free!!!  What a relief. 

Maybe it wasn't about the cancer....

Let me start by telling you all that three or four years ago my dad tried to get a heart stress test done because he had some pretty strong family history of heart problems and wanted to make sure his own heart was doing ok.  Well, insurance would not cover the test because he did not have a medical need for it.  That was then....

Since Dad has had cancer... he seems to be in "medical need" for every test known to man!!!  This would include the heart stress test.  So a few weeks ago he had the test performed and it showed some abnormalities so they wanted him to have another test done.  This test pumped a fluid into him that allowed them to see the heart and how it was pumping and was able to show them all the veins and arteries surrounding the heart.  We honestly didn't expect them to find anything of consequence, but given the strong family history, it was an important test to have done.

Well, they did find something... they found that a main artery that pumped blood to the entire left side of Dad's heart showed a significant blockage.  They said that without fixing this, he would surely eventually have a major heart attack which he would probably not live through.  

So, the very next day (last Wednesday), he went in and they put a stent where the blockage was.  It was actually a pretty minor procedure.  They insert the stent and a camera through his inner thigh and up to his heart... it's kind of incredible... Dad was actually awake during the procedure.  They said the blockage was more significant than they had thought so it was good he got it taken care of right away. He had to stay in the hospital overnight just so they could monitor him because of the blood thinners he needed to be on, but was released early the next morning and there was absolutely no recovery needed.

This was an incredible surprise, miracle, shock, blessing, and I am not sure what other feelings this all brought on, but we are so glad that it was something that was caught and taken care of quickly and easily.  It also brought some frustration that Dad was a bit of a ticking time bomb and a frustration that our insurance companies don't seem willing to fund preventative testing that would keep all of us healthier and catch more problems earlier on.

This also brings on the thought of what a miraculous recovery Dad had from the cancer and surgery, that maybe it wasn't about the cancer... maybe cancer is what saved Dad's life.

Free and Clear!

This week was Dad's check up which he will have every six months.  This includes PET scans and an endoscopy and some other things that will determine whether or not cancer has returned to his esophagus or other areas in his body.  

The tests came back, and wouldn't you know, Dad passed with flying colors.  There is no sign of cancer or sign of abnormalities (you know, besides the normal).  This is extremely exciting as his particular type of cancer is quite the beast and likes to rear its ugly head!  This is a milestone.  It seems like 2 years is a biggie and then the 5 year mark they will actually all him cancer free officially.  So, for now, it is just unofficial, but he remains cancer free!!!!  YEE HAW!

Small ordeal and new scans being performed this week!

I thought I would go ahead and do a follow up of my dad's post... I read posts from an EC site where people ask questions and give inspiration and hope to EC survivors and families of those affected by EC.  Reading these posts was both informative and beneficial but also terrifying!!  Most people send messages because they are experiencing complications or looking for new hope in a difficult situation, so as you can imagine, I find my dad's recovery to be nothing but miraculous.  Normally I don't like to boast about Dad because his head is already so inflated that it can hardly fit through the door, but I gotta say he really has handled this cancer thing like a rock star.  Dad is a 'matter of fact' kind of a guy and when a hurdle is in his way, he doesn't focus on how hard that hurdle is but only what the quickest and most efficient way to get over that hurdle is.  It's a perspective I need to gain, that's for sure!!

On my birthday last week, Dad was having a little chest pain-- he said it was hurting to take deep breaths.  Being the caring and loving daughter I am, I told him "Suck it up dad, it's my birthday! You just don't want me to whoop you in dominoes!"  -- Yeah, I know, I'm nice.  So, he sat and played dominoes and drank a smoothie and I didn't think much of it.  Then mom called Sunday morning to say he was in the ER because it really started hurting in the middle of the night.

What they found was that a wall of Dad's heart was looking a little swollen and there was some fluid built up.  It was quickly remedied by taking a pill which lessened the swelling and the fluid dissipated.  

Fluid build up is extremely common after surgeries as organs are reacting to the body being opened up and foreign objects being handled inside the body.  Dad will find out more specifics when he goes into the doctor this week, but it looks like something fairly common and a quick fix and he is back to himself again.

This week is a big week.  Dad goes in for all his testing that he will do every six months (I think) and will let us all know whether the cancer really has stayed away or not.  It's a scary thing as esophageal cancer does have a high recurrence rate.  However, one benefit to Dad's little ER overnighter was that they did a CT scan while he was there and that looked clear.  So, we aren't expecting anything but good news.  I will post more after the results come back next week.

Back to the grind-stone

I am making one of my rare guest appearances on my blog. It has been 3 months since my surgery. I have been back to work since the two month point, I must have stayed out just the right time because Maureen did not push me out the door (yet) and I was able to easily put in full days since the first day back. Two indicators that I was probably ready to get back at it. I think getting back to “normal routine” is a requisite for complete recovery. Since this last post (July 8^th), I have continued to wreak havoc on the Racquet ball courts and have been dropped from the invite list to play. Houston ’s weather is just too hot and humid to attempt any golf, but I am ready for the next cold front when the temperature drops below 90. I am planning on a 5K run by Thanksgiving – a family event.

 

A couple of weeks back my sixth grandchild was born. His name is Griffin and he is a handsome lad. Ironically he was born six months and a day from the day I was diagnosed with cancer and told I had as little as six months left, if I did nothing about it. Whew, am I glad I did something about it and boy am I glad that I had supremely skilled doctors and a heavy dose of fervent prayers from family, friends and friends of friends. Between the two, I’ll see Griffin grow up. Thank you all for that gift. Please don’t stop!!

Bill

 

Triumphant Return to the Courts

A few months ago, right before Dad's surgery, we played racquetball with him one last time.  (We aren't professional but we sure have fun playing!).  I had to hold my tears back that day as I assumed that it would likely be the last time I played with him or at least last time for a very long time.  A week and a half ago, Dad was back on the court!!  Still gaining strength, agility and willingness to move from one spot, but nevertheless back on the court.

Pardon the pictures... I took these on my cell phone and it kept focusing on the glass wall instead of the players (who are from left to right... Evan, Dad, Pat and Mom).

It must be said that cancer is a pretty scary thing.  The thing that we don't always realize is the broad spectrum of outcomes that come from it.  I now know that all of the forums, internet research and websites are mostly filled with people who are or have a family member who are recently diagnosed or they are having complications and reach out for help online.  So, what ends up happening is that these newly diagnosed patients and their families are terrified because they are reading about everything that could possibly go wrong!!  I fell into the terrified category, that is for sure.  I should have known better.

Mostly I should have known better because I didn't look in the right place for the answers and comfort I was looking for.  I should have also known better because I am pretty sure almost everyone around me was in tune enough to realize that things would work out as they should even though I wasn't so sure.  I'm kind of dumb like that though... I am the type that has to do things the hard way to learn my lesson.  I have lived a life where the evidence that there is a God and He watches over me and all of us.  He knows us, is patient with us, heals us and teaches us.  A life like ours wouldn't make sense if He didn't exist.  All that being said, sometimes we (meaning me) need to reach beyond ourselves for answers and comfort.  It's there, waiting for us to ask.

---I don't usually get that personal on here, but it needed to be said.

Dad is doing so awesome.  Miraculous.  He eats like crazy (just smaller more frequent meals).  His biggest adjustment has just been realizing what is too much.  He says that he doesn't imagine it feels any different than if he were to have gastric bypass or something.

My parents went out and bought one of those posture-pedic (sp?) beds that both sides move up and down like a hospital bed.  Dad was told that he would always need to sleep elevated.  Dad told me a couple weeks ago that the bed is now laying almost flat when he sleeps.  So, I guess the bed will be most useful to incline while watching television I guess.  Dad has some gnarly scars-- I think I have expressed how cool I think those are already.

Next week Dad officially goes back to work.  It's time.  Last week when I took some girls from our church to camp he came up to visit with goody bags... Dad doesn't usually make goody bags and that is how I know for certain that he needs to go back to work. 

Life doesn't stop when life changing things happen in our lives.  I don't understand why as it is really frustrating to keep going on while you are in the thick of it all.  But I'm grateful life goes on and that we are now going to begin to return to a life of normalcy. 

Dad gets a scan done in August I think.  This type of cancer has a higher than average chance of coming back, but we are all feeling at peace and confident in what lies ahead.-- You know, for now. :)

In other news, my brother, Evan, joined the Navy.  Evan thought it was great when the people down at the recruitment center kissed up to Dad.  I think Dad enjoyed it too.  Nice to be respected, Dad doesn't get much respect from us kids :).

No News really is GOOD news

I haven't posted in a bit, sorry about that, but no news really is good news in this case.  Dad is doing awesome!!!  Can I just take a minute to say how amazing that is!? I'm talking miracles.  Due to my slightly controlling and obsessive personality I have done my fair share of research on the subject of esophageal cancer and heard all the statistics and the complications and all the "what ifs" and have sufficiently freaked myself out on a number of occasions.  To this I say to myself, "I should have listened to my dad".  It's true, I don't say that sort of thing all the time because frankly, I try not to listen to him, but he was right about all of this.  From the very beginning he treated this all like an inconvenience and a bump in the road and thus far, that's exactly what it's been.  Maybe the miracle was that Dad was right.

Recovery wise, the man is a champ.  He goes on outings each day, runs errands, etc.  He is eating... and I am not just talking a bite here and there, he has been wolfing food down!!  He does need to eat smaller meals (probably the size the rest of us SHOULD eat regularly) and he feels pretty dang full if he over eats, but he wants and needs to eat more often.  So, about every two hours he is on the hunt in the kitchen for something to dig into.  Since his whole digestive system has had a bit of a shock (taking out a portion of it could do that), he is still adjusting to its new...'schedule', but I think that would be typical with any major surgery... just adjusting to the differences in your body.  Dad is still getting fed through the feeding tube at night but plans on asking them if he can be finished with it at his next appointment because he is getting plenty of nutrition.  

Dad has also been hitting the gym with us on some mornings.  Sadly, he isn't in racquetball condition yet but he walks the treadmills.  It's good to see that he is being so proactive in his recovery.  It still makes me laugh how the nurses kept telling me that Dad must be in really good shape or when they asked me if he was an athlete.  SUUURRRRRE he is. Yesterday he wore some running pants that I had not seen him in since New Years.  Something mysterious happened... Dad lost his butt.  Someone must have stolen it... it may have been me.

His incisions look good-- I made sure to check them out myself last night during our dominoes marathon.  They hacked him up good but all the scabbing (ew) and stuff is all but off so I think the scars will be minimal eventually.  I still think they look awesome and wish I could get some scars but not have any surgeries or be hurt or in any pain to receive them.  Cosmetic scars?  Yeah, I doubt that will ever turn into a 'thing' people want.

Last week my uncle and aunt came to visit... I will post more about that next time (have to get some pictures from my mom) and I will also post about my parents new addition--- a new addition equipped with two remotes.  I know, I've got your mind reeling. 

Quick Update

Things are going great.  Dad went in on Tuesday for some testing to see if everything has been healing as it is supposed to.  So far so good.  He is having some pain in the incision in his back (he has one on his upper back and one across his stomach) but that is usually what is bothering him and what usually is prompting the pain meds.  The doctors biopsied all the esophagus and lymph nodes they took out during surgery.  They could see no cancer though one lymph node did have active cells which would categorize him as N1 (not a cancer stage... they won't probably ever claim "cancer free" but he is as close as they could hope anyone to be at this point).  The doctors didn't seem too worried about his as they took out all lymph nodes that they thought would possibly be infected so we're hopeful that this was the only one.

This particular cancer has a really high chance of either recurrence in the same area or somewhere else in the body.  Clear scans for 2 years is the biggest hurdle, 5 years is amazing and longer than that is the goal!  While this cancer does have a high chance of recurrence, judging how amazing Dad has done thus far, there is a high chance he will be in the percentage that never has it come back.  The doctors were incredibly impressed with Dad and his results so that certainly says a lot.

Right now Dad is enjoying a diet of liquids, soups and ding dongs.  I am not sure why ding dongs, but we all have our own cravings right?  So far so good.  He will still be being fed through the feeding tube but hopes to have that tapered off within the next 2-6 weeks.  The amount of time and amount of food he will be fed through it will decrease as he is able to eat more.  The good news is that he actually gained a little wait post surgery which is WONDERFUL... but I think he is still looking scrawny.... we'll get him bulked back up in no time!

Dad has been getting out each day.  He is supposed to do a lot of walking and he is also getting a little restless at home so the outings are helpful.  My mom says he is like a newborn, awake for a couple hours, sleeps for four hours, awake for a couple hours, sleeps for fours hours.

This weekend company comes into town (my dad's brother and his wife), my parents get their new bed delivered and our neighborhood pool opens!  Ok, that last one is the highlight of our little home's weekend but doesn't have anything to do with dad.  I doubt he will be going in the pool for quite awhile.  

Sorry for the lack of pictures... I'll get on that.

Home Now and Recovering Still

The picture below is of Dad right before leaving the hospital... Glorious day!  He is wearing his boring brown slippers... he could have had the green mop ones.  Whatever, my floors are sparkling now that I have been wearing them instead of him.

Dad is home now.  He had a rough night the first night as he was trying to get used to managing his pain without the epidural and hospital drugs.  He was also trying to figure out the j-tube pump that kept beeping (this is the feeding tube-- he has to be being fed for 16 hours each day).  The bags in the picture below are the bags that the brown liquid food is poured into.  The food goes directly into his intestine because his esophagus and stomach are still healing from the surgery and they need to make sure it seals without leaks.  That means he still hasn't eaten or had anything to drink since last Wednesday.  He will go in this next week for the appointment where he will drink barium and they'll be able to test his insides for leaks.

Here is Dad resting... and Toby.  Toby needs more sleep than Dad does.  Yesterday I was able to spend the day with Dad... well, sleeping while he slept.  I came over because I was in the midst of trying to pass some kidney stones-not fun.  Dad and I bumped hospital bracelets and Mom acted as Florence Nightengale tending to her sickly patients.  I think Dad is already restless of sitting inside all the time.  He was planning on going to a funeral today and perhaps to the store with my mom.  He has to take walks several times a day anyway, so I guess this is probably no different.  Don't worry, he has several of us breathing down his neck to make sure he is getting adequate rest.  Healing continues...

Guess who is home!?

Dad!!  6 days and he is out... must be a record I am sure.  A lot of his easier recovery seems to be due to his general health, his age, amount they had to remove, overall attitude and lots and lots of prayers from all of you.  THANK YOU!  Recovery for this surgery takes awhile, but we are pretty excited about how quickly he is bouncing back already.

Smell you later Nose Hose!

Today, Dad said a happy goodbye to the nose hose.  No more nasty tube jammed up his nose (held on by a stitch-ouch) and pushed down his throat.  Thankfully my brothers and I walked in just after the removal... couldn't have been pleasant to watch I am sure.  Things are going much better than they were when I left last night.  Dad was pretty worn out and grumpy from just being in the hospital, wanting to be better and wanting to be home.  Having the tube come out certainly helped!  He also got a chest tube removed.  It was oozing a bit, but they kept bandaging it and it looks to be doing better and the doctor said it should not cause any complications.

 Here is Dad!!!  He is playing Skip-Bo with us and holding his favorite stuffed animal :).  Dad is growing his Philmont beard... Lucky me, Dan (my husband) has decided to grow his own beard in solidarity... so have my brothers, but their's is a little patchy.  He did 20 laps today around the nurses station.  While I was there he said his next goal is to make it a full 26.2.  

Two weeks post surgery dad will do a barium test to check for leaks in his esophagus and stomach.  After this he will be able to reintroduce himself to foods/drinks again.  He says he isn't hungry but could really use a soda... not such a good idea right now unfortunately. 

Check out these awesome slippers!!  (and the cute dog too... that's Lucy).  Dad could have had these babies but he chose the brown boring slippers instead.  Too bad... these are both comfortable and helping to clean my floors. 

I have gotten lost at MDA no less than 20 times since Dad has been in the hospital.  I have a horrible sense of direction... it's crazy that I get so lost when the hospital has kiosks all over that print out directions for you.  Today my brothers and I got a little turned around in the parking garage.  Not our fault as it took us over 20 minutes to find a parking spot and we couldn't leave the parking garage to go to a different garage because you are charged $2.00 for 0-20 minutes.  Rip off. 

---Shh... there's a rumor floating around of possibly being discharged in the next couple days....

Sir Koff-A-Lot and the Nose in the Hose

Dad is still doing well, though he was more tired today and seemed to be in a bit more pain.  It could have been the 16 laps he did around the nurses station.  Basically, the man needs to slow down!!!  He probably is just sore from the exercise.  I can always tell when he is tired or hurting as he becomes less and less entertained by my particular brand of humor.  Actually, he is hardly entertained by it at all. But when he is tired or hurting, he doesn't even bother to give me strange looks but just closes his eyes and ignores me all together.

I think the pain meds are making him say crazy things too.  He was blabbering on about how he is halucinating and seeing holograms that fade in and out of reality and sometimes he thinks people come visit him who were never there or is surprised when we "come back".  What a weirdo.  Then he told me how excited he was to "get the nose out of his hose"-- what he really meant was he was excited to get the tube (hose) out of his nose.  That should be happening tomorrow.  Over the course of the next week he will get several 'hoses' removed...nose hose, chest tubes, epidural, catheter etc.... he has the whole rainbow of colors coming out of his body right now.  It's gross and cool at the same time.

The above picture is of Sir-Koff-A-Lot... isn't he regal with his bow tie?  I think so, but Mom and Dad didn't so they stripped him down.  Mom said that Dad is a grown man and doesn't need a bear with a bow tie.  Yet, he still needs the bear apparently.  He needs the bear because it is a weighted bear and if he squeezes it, it will help not to hurt as much when he coughs.  Pillows work too.

I forgot to mention that Dad started being fed through his J tube yesterday.  It's his feeding tube that goes right into his intestine (they still aren't ready for him to have anything go down his esophagus or his stomach as it is still healing).  The food looks like chocolate milk, but he won't be tasting any of that. 2 Weeks post surgery he will have a barium test to check for leaks to see if everything is healed up as it should.

He also got a fun new 'toy'... it's one of those dentist-type suction hoses that sucks up all your spit.  He made it a point to gross us all out with it several times.  Dad also wandered down to the patient/family lounge to help us with a puzzle (probably why he is feeling more pain--doing too much). Shortly after he decided to return to his room to continue more phlegm sucking and pain med button pushing... then he fell asleep and we went home.

Another update tomorrow....

Updates and Such

Quick update on Dad:  He is doing awesome!  So far, BETTER than the BEST case scenario!  Honestly, everyone expected a lot more pain, a lot more complications and a lot more emotional stress on all of us.  He is doing great.  Of course, we are still quite early in the process, so things could always change, but for now he is doing wonderfully.

 

The nurse said today that he is looking better than any patient he has ever seen have this surgery.  I think that is fitting... my dad is one of those people who in school put in minimal effort and got straight As... Like now, he is just doing his thing, trying to just endure this process and he is getting through it with flying colors!!! It really has been amazing to see how human bodies are able to preserve energy to help the body heal and how quickly one can feel like themselves again.

 

Dad will likely have one of his chest tubes removed today---several days earlier than the norm--he will also get his nose hose removed on Monday (hence the lack of facial pictures... I don't mind embarrassing dad through photos but even I have standards).  When I left last night he had just finished 10 laps around the nurses station and when I was leaving he was about to go for another walk.  He leaves all the nursing staff amazed at his progress.  I saw one of his incisions... it looked so cool... like frankenstein with all the staples...  It looks like a cesarean incision but curves up in the middle.  He is going to be so cool now with those scars.  Seriously, I think he is cooler already.

 Here we have Dad's tootsies!!  Also pictured are the leg cuffs that inflate to keep circulation going and to prevent blood clots.  He doesn't wear them as much anymore as he is moving so much.  Last night while we were there, he joined us in a game of spades.  He tired towards the end but was perfectly able to play... our team won by the way...  Of course, once we were done, he scooted us out and pressed his button (delivers pain meds but also makes him really sleepy... I think he mostly uses it to make himself sleep).

Thank you all for your prayers... you really can feel a prayer you know.  We are very sensitive to the fact that many others have trials in their lives right now.  These lives of ours are very fragile and it's incredible how quickly our lives can change.  I'm grateful that we have choices and are able to decide how to handle these trials.  Admittedly, I am not an incredible example of how to handle these sorts of things as I was a mess for a couple weeks after finding out about my Dad's cancer.  It took a lot of soul searching and prayer for me to get a handle on what I truly believe about life.  I hope any of you that are feeling loss or going through trials will feel comfort as our prayers come your way.

Has anyone seen SUPERMAN lately?

Probably not many of you because he is busy flying laps around MD Anderson hallways!  Dad is doing great!  He has been managing his pain so far and is moving quickly... much faster than the other patients there.  Doctors and nurses both have been in awe at how well he is doing a day out of surgery.  One nurse said, "wow, your dad must be in awesome shape to be doing so well post surgery". 

Dad is superman!!  He really is.  He is doing much more than we would have dreamed so far.  He still has the epidural to control his pain, so things are still in very early stages so it's hard to gauge how well he will do after he is off the epidural;  However, what an awesome start!  Keep it up Dad, do what your able, but we are so proud of you. 

Surgery Day - 5:00 pm

So, we all just saw Dad in the recovery room.  He was in great spirits... GOOD DRUGS.  His epidural is working well and he has been pressing the button as needed and maybe even a little more than needed :).  He looks good, though he has a large tube coming out of his nose.  He said it isn't bothering him, but he is also a little loopy right now.  He has drainage tubes happening and his body is yellow from iodine.  He still has his cool socks on and said he is looking forward to his Philmont beard that he will have by the time he exits the hospital.  

Dad startled himself when he looked at the clock and said, "the last time I looked at that clock, it read a completely different time and that was just a couple minutes ago!"  Sure Dad.    He was also busily giving my brother Pat directions home, so he is pretty coherent.  

Mom will be holding down the fort tonight and I will stay til after dinner sometime and then plan on being back for my mom to be able to get some rest (remember, they'll be waking him every hour).  Lots of hospital trips this next week or so.  Pray for a fast recovery!!

Surgery Day - 2:30 pm

Dad is out of surgery.  The nurse who gave us the news last said that it would be at least a couple more hours so when the floor nurses came to show us Dad's room, Mom, Evan and I went to drop off some of our stuff.  Well, of course, the doctor comes to tell us Dad is out of surgery.  We were pretty frustrated that the doctor wouldn't wait for us and that the nurse in the waiting area refused to let us see the doctor after we came back.  After all, it was the MDA nurses that took us away from the waiting room!!! 

Anyway, Dr. Swiffer---as I like to call him---actually his name is Dr. Swisher (the surgeon), came and talked to Kim and let her know some details of the surgery.  He said everything went well.  There weren't any visible signs of cancer seen at all.  They took about 1/3 of his esophagus and about 1/5 of his stomach (as planned).  They will do testing on the removed tissue to see if there is any cancer present in them.  

Right now, Dad is in recovery.  We haven't been able to see him.  They are waiting until he wakes up before anyone can go see him.  They said it could take a couple hours and since Dad likes his sleep, I don't doubt that will be the case!  Dad did have an issue with the epidural that he was given, but since we weren't here, we don't know the details of that other than they are going to redo the epidural.  This will help with his pain management as it will numb him from the upper chest down to his stomach.  So, hopefully that new epidural will work for him!

They will have him up and moving today or early tomorrow.  He won't receive anything via his feeding tube or by mouth for 3 days and so will receive nutrition solely through his IV for those days.  We don't know how long he will be in the hospital... they said some have left in less than a week and others have stayed more than two weeks.  10-14 days is the norm.  Dad will have drainage tubes put in and those will probably be in for a week.  Also, he will have a tube going up his nose to keep his stomach decompressed so there's no leakage.  I hope it comes out quickly as Dad has been saying he is worried about the discomfort of that particular tube.

Nurses said that they will be coming in hourly for at least the first couple of days to check his vitals and his breathing... so he may not get that much rest after all. 

We are all so anxious to see him.  Dad said he thinks he might get the wrong idea when he wakes up and sees his entire family circled around him!!!  :)

I will post more later after we see how he is doing physically and have a better idea of how he is handling his pain.  Thank you all for your prayers and love.... we are feeling it... BIG TIME.