Tom talked with his Dr. this morning and the Dr. thought he looked good. With help from the nurses Tom walked over to a chair and was able to sit for about 30 minutes; after that time he was "gassed". Tom has been flirting with the nurses and nurses aids (except for Kevin), and telling them that he is going to be the best patient they ever had, and will do whatever they want him to do to get better.
Tom is still very tired, sore and feeling lots of abdominal pressure. Peg was able to see his band aid covered incision today, which is about 6 inches in length.
We are again requesting no calls or visitors at this time to lessen his risk of infection and to help him get his healing rest.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
The surgery
After an early morning arrival at the hospital Tom finally went into surgery at 1:15, and as promised by the Dr., two hours later his surgery was completed.
The surgeon reported that he removed the tumor along with the ascending colon that it was attached to, and all of the surrounding lymph nodes. He stated that all of the neighboring tissue looked good; it didn't appear as though the cancer had spread anywhere else. We are very grateful. We know everybody’s prayers for Tom were working “big time”.
Peg and the three boys were able to see Tom about 5:30 in his room. He was still heavily sedated, but was able to exhibit some of his typical Tom humor. He thanked the nurse that wheeled him into his room for the “smooth ride”. When fed spoonfuls of ice from a cup, he said they tasted "as good as steak". We didn’t stay long as we wanted him to sleep and to begin the healing process. Many of you have expressed interest in visiting Tom at the hospital, but we are requesting NO VISITORS at this time, to aid in his important initial healing. We plan to report when visitors will be okay.
Again thanks for all of your prayers, caring thoughts and comments.
God is good!
The surgeon reported that he removed the tumor along with the ascending colon that it was attached to, and all of the surrounding lymph nodes. He stated that all of the neighboring tissue looked good; it didn't appear as though the cancer had spread anywhere else. We are very grateful. We know everybody’s prayers for Tom were working “big time”.
Peg and the three boys were able to see Tom about 5:30 in his room. He was still heavily sedated, but was able to exhibit some of his typical Tom humor. He thanked the nurse that wheeled him into his room for the “smooth ride”. When fed spoonfuls of ice from a cup, he said they tasted "as good as steak". We didn’t stay long as we wanted him to sleep and to begin the healing process. Many of you have expressed interest in visiting Tom at the hospital, but we are requesting NO VISITORS at this time, to aid in his important initial healing. We plan to report when visitors will be okay.
Again thanks for all of your prayers, caring thoughts and comments.
God is good!
Sunday, March 29, 2009
The beginning
In early 2009 Tom started feeling very tired and easily fatigued. When he went to the Dr. it was discovered he was extremely anemic. He was immediately put on iron pills, and scheduled for a colonoscopy.
On March 16, 2009 Tom was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.
On March 30, 2009 Tom will be going in for surgery to have the tumor removed.
His expected recovery time in the hospital is 5-7 days, and his recovery time at home will be 4-6 weeks. At that time he will begin chemotherapy treatments for approximately 6 months. He will also be having adjunct acupuncture treatments to speed his healing and to help relieve the side effects of chemotherapy.
Today is prep day for surgery tomorrow, which includes a required liquid diet. Obviously, Tom is thinking about all the foods he can’t have right now. He will be going in to the hospital (Mid-Michigan Regional in Midland) early tomorrow morning, get hooked up to IV’s, and have his surgery sometime in the early afternoon. The surgery is expected to last 2-3 hours. His surgeon Dr. Zaniea comes highly recommended. He is rated tops in the field of colorectal surgery.
Through this blog we intend to keep people up-to-date on how Tom is doing. We appreciate everyone’s concern, inquiries and caring calls, but because of time spent at the hospital, and quiet healing time needed at home; we feel this is best way to communicate his condition, so that we don’t have to worry about missing/returning phone calls and emails (at least at this time).
Tom and his family have a very positive attitude and appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers coming our way. Please pray for the surgeon to do his job well, and for Tom’s successful surgery and long-term recovery.
On March 16, 2009 Tom was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer.
On March 30, 2009 Tom will be going in for surgery to have the tumor removed.
His expected recovery time in the hospital is 5-7 days, and his recovery time at home will be 4-6 weeks. At that time he will begin chemotherapy treatments for approximately 6 months. He will also be having adjunct acupuncture treatments to speed his healing and to help relieve the side effects of chemotherapy.
Today is prep day for surgery tomorrow, which includes a required liquid diet. Obviously, Tom is thinking about all the foods he can’t have right now. He will be going in to the hospital (Mid-Michigan Regional in Midland) early tomorrow morning, get hooked up to IV’s, and have his surgery sometime in the early afternoon. The surgery is expected to last 2-3 hours. His surgeon Dr. Zaniea comes highly recommended. He is rated tops in the field of colorectal surgery.
Through this blog we intend to keep people up-to-date on how Tom is doing. We appreciate everyone’s concern, inquiries and caring calls, but because of time spent at the hospital, and quiet healing time needed at home; we feel this is best way to communicate his condition, so that we don’t have to worry about missing/returning phone calls and emails (at least at this time).
Tom and his family have a very positive attitude and appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers coming our way. Please pray for the surgeon to do his job well, and for Tom’s successful surgery and long-term recovery.
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