8/29 - Follow up With UCLA Surgeon

Yesterday we met with Dr. Cameron as a follow-up appointment to Peg's surgery. He said the incision was healing well and all looked good. He said he was confident that he got everything. Typically when they remove a tumor, they will remove some good tissue around the perimeter of the tumor to confirm that they got everything. The pathology report indicated there might be an area on the tumor where this was not the case. However, Dr. Cameron said he knows the area that they were referring to and said that area was easy to remove and that sometimes cells or tissue can "rub off" in transfer from the patient to the medical staff and to the pathologist. Without a doubt, he removed all the tissue.

He did indicate some concern about a nerve that runs near the heart, and was against the tumor. He asked that Peggy talk to a radiologist about possible treatment for that area. He wasn't sure any treatment was necessary, but felt it was good to talk to a specialist.

He said as she is healing, the tissue that was operated on will become soft again, and breathing and moving about will become easier. She had blood drawn today, so we are hopeful that her red blood count will be up. She is almost done with the beta blocker medicine which regulates her heart and he said to not refill that. She is only really taking Vicodin for evenings and Tylenol during the day.

Lexie (7 yrs old - see picture above) started the second grade on Monday and is loving it. Joshua (2) & Trinity (4) are at home most of the time (with Peg & her Mom) although friends and family have been coming over to take them for play times in 3-4 hour streatches. Josh has been enjoying sleeping in his new comforter on the floor in his sister's room, while Peg's mom Patsy is in his room.

People from the church and friends continue to bring meals (wow!) and that has been awesome. We have been so blessed by the calls, e-mails, letters, flowers, and gifts that so many have sent...wow!

Here are a few Prayer Points:
1) Clear indication from specialists that no further treatment is warranted
2) Raised red blood cell counts, so she can back off the iron (it's making her naseaous)
3) Strong, healthy and full recovery
4) All financial needs are met

We love you all, God Bless...Larry

8/18-The Final Path Report

Hi All,

I'm having a good moment, praise God, so I thought I would do a new post on the information we received yesterday. My Primary Doctor Dr. Kerr saw me yesterday to see how all is going post op. I'm anemic and close to needing a blood transfusion but not. So we are continuing to take Iron (one of the hard ones to keep down) and the other meds to help me rebuild all that red blood I need to heal up quickly. He gave me some new strategies with when and with what to take all my stuff and last night went really good and this morning did not. So, we will keep trying until we figure out what works.

He was also able to retain a copy of the final path report from the surgery. Dr. Cameron the surgeon told us Saturday just what he was able to conclude so far. He didn't have to final path report so it may seem like information is conflicting. Anyways, It turns out that the tumor was not consistent all the way through and there was a part that was in fact cancer. It looked clear on all angles except one, was my understanding from the Doctors explanation. It sounded like the problem area may be the point of origin for this tumor. There is still signs that some got left behind. It is minimal if any. Dr. Kerr said that it may have even been destroyed by cauterizing when sealing everything up. I pray this is so. I will need to see an Oncologist now. I already have an appointment set. Dr. Kerr said that any action taken from here should be minimal the big part of the problem is gone...Halleluia!!! I will need more blood tests and scans to monitor this.

Prayer points:
***No more nausea
***No need for a blood transfusion
***That the cancer is all gone from my body
***Continued healing and strengthening of my body

Thank you all for all the prayers and help and everything. It has made all of this better than I could have ever expected!! My spirits are up and I feel encouraged daily. Jesus is my Superhero!!!

I love you all!! Peggy

8/17 - All is Well

Peg is doing much better, food is staying down, we have adjusted the medications and learned which ones are causing nausea. She was able to remove some bandages where the chest tubes were and that is healing well. She was able to take showers over the last couple of days, which has been nice for her! Her mom, Patsy is staying with us helping with everything, food, dishes, laundry, shopping, etc., etc. People from the church have been bringing over meals which has been wonderful.

I failed to mention in the last posting, that on Saturday morning, we talked with Dr. Cameron, the surgeon at UCLA who performed the surgery. He said that he did have a chance to talk to the pathology department and wanted to assure us that he got everything. The tumor was removed, two lymph nodes were removed, and the others were clear in that area. It was still up in the air as to whether or not it was a low grade, or medium grade tumor. He said that we could meet with an oncologist and/or radiologist to discuss additional measures, but he did not think that was necessary, since there were no signs of it spreading anywhere.

Peg will have follow-up appointments with our local family doctor and with Dr. Cameron in about 2 weeks. Family and friends have been keeping the kids and bringing them over for dinner each night so we all can eat together as a family, which has been great.

Peg has been able to get on the computer and read the blog, which has been very encouraging to her. She has been sleeping well at night, napping periodically throughout the day, walking and getting around on her own, and getting caught up on watching DVDs!

Thanks for all the love, prayers, gifts and support!!! Larry

8/14 - Update from Home

Dear friends & loved ones...Peg is doing pretty good, having been home for over 36 hours now. She had a nice, comfortable ride home, and was able to sleep in the back of the motorhome. She had an excellent night's sleep on Sunday night and began taking ALL the meds Sunday night and Monday.

By Monday afternoon, she was having alot of nausea from the 7 different medications she was put on. Antibiotics, Pain Killers, Blood Pressure medicine, Nausea medicine, stool softener, Iron, etc. From about 5:00 pm till Monday morning, she was throwing up anything and everything.

We narrowed it down to the pain killers and she started taking about 1/2 a dosage and that was better. She is eating some foods, but still not sure what will stay down. Her mom is staying with us this whole week and maybe next to help out. The kids are spending nights at the grandparents house and other relatives and friends.

Please pray for peace in her body, that the nausea would stop, it is extremely painful for her to be throwing up, since her chest is very tender and sore. Thanks again...Larry

8/12 - 7:30 pm - HOME!!!!

Chest tube came out, everything is good, she is feeling good...the doctor just released us and we are headed back to Oxnard in the Motorhome...

More info to come...i need to drive...lov you all... Larry

8/12 - 11:05 - Update

Good Saturday morning to everyone...it's a beautiful day in L.A. Peg is doing well, just struggling with pain from time to time, but handling it well!

Last night I walked with her twice from one end to the other, no small task since this hospital is so large.

The doctors are now saying probably Sunday before she is released, she still is having some drainage from the chest tube.

Her heart rate has been good, no more mention of a transfusion, and she is hardly getting any nausea, so she is keeping food down better...

All for now... Larry

8/11 - 12:45 pm - Update

Peggy continues to improve, but still getting a fair amount of pills and shots for pain, nausea, blood pressure and such.

The doctors said her red blood count seems low, they will test again today, if it is still low they might have to do a blood transfusion. They said the x-rays of her lungs look good.

Pray that her red blood cells will increase, no transfusion, nausea will subside, chest tube will come out and she will have strength.

If you haven't had a chance to make a comment on the blog, I know Peg would love to read your thoughts...

Love, Larry

8/11 - 8:30 am - Update

Well a strange thing happened yesterday...about 7:00 pm the pain management doctor stopped by before his shift was over to check on Peggy and the epidural. Turns out the small tube had come out and for the past maybe 4 hrs she was off the epidural!

I guess that is why she was feeling more uncomfortable in the afternoon and evening. He said, "well since u seem to be tolerating it out, we're goin to just take it out completely."

So now she is down to mostly oral pain killers. The doctor this morning mentioned she might be goin home this afternoon...we'll see.

Pray for peace for our kids, Lexie, Trinity & Josh. Lexie (who's 6) has been missing us a lot and was cryin last night. :-(

Love u all...LARRY

8/10 - 3:30 pm - Update

Peggy continues to improve. They have taken her off euburterol (sp?) treatments.

Her heart was beating a little fast so they gave her something to slow it down...this was a little concerning so they took an EKG and drew some blood.

She just got up and walked a few minutes ago...she is now off all IVs, off the cathiter...she just has the epidural in her back...

She is a little tired and is currently just napping. Aimee N. stopped by for about an hour to visit and do some nursing!!

Peggy still has a chest tube in, and Dr. Cameron has not been by today, but many other doctors have been (there is a doctor for everything here!)

Continue to pray for good results from the pathology report, no problems with the heart, no problem with the lungs, fast & smooth recovery and maybe goin home tomorrow? The Dr. hasn't indicated when she will be goin home.

Larry

8/10 - 11:00 am - Update

Well today we celebrate 10 yrs of marriage! It will be one to remember!

Peggy has already walked down the hall, they removed one of two chest tubes, and she is sitting in a chair...they have removed more IVs and she ate a full, solid, breakfast...she already read her bible today too!

They mentioned a partial collapsed lung, which also happened during the last surgery, so they are watching it...it will re-inflate and heal as she continues her breathing barometer.

Last night dennis, lauri and Molly came by to visit, which we enjoyed... Peg got to read the blog last night from my treo phone...

Love you guys...
Larry

8/9 - 3:00 pm - Update

Peggy continues to do well...she is resting off and on...they have backed down the meds, so she is feeling less loopy and less nasea.

Peggy said she is so grateful for all the prayers, love and support. She wants to read the blog and comments when she has her strength back...

I had a good night's sleep in the motorhome last night, so feeling more rested today...

We were laughing that tomorrow is our anniversary, 10 years. We orginally had hoped to go to Hawaii, but things change! Oh well, Westwood isn't that bad and it's good to know Peggy is getting better. God has it all under control!

Thanks for all prayers and love...
Larry

8/9 - 10:30 am - Peggy Update

Peggy is doing good today...she is the only one in her room now, so it is quieter...she was able to stand up for little bit today as they changed the bed. She looks good...her color is good, voice sounds stronger...she needs rest and God's strength

Dr. Cameron stopped by and explained more and said they took two lymph nodes which appeared to be a problem related to the tumor. They will test at athology.

Prayer Points:
1. Nasea (sp?) to go away so she can eat
2. Pathology report to come back clean
3. Rest & peace
4. No radiation or chemo necessary
5. Witnessing opportunities to staff & doctors!

We love you all...she will most likely be home Saturday or earlier...

Lar

8/8 - 5:00 pm

Well all went well! All 4 items in previous post God answered!

They did not remove the lung (just a small piece of the lining), no blood transfusion needed, the resp. tube came out after surgery and she did not have to go to ICU!

Dr. Cameron said all went well they removed the tumor completely...will wait for pathology report in a week to confirm it nature. It was close to lymph nodes, was coerned about any spreading..

She is recoverying very well!

Pray for...
1. Good recovery
2. Pathology reportto show a low grade carcinoid (not a high grade)
3. No infections
4. No trace of the tumor or nodes left behind!

Thanks...love ya...Larry

8/8 - 12:35 pm

Just saw Dr. Bushnell, he was the surgeon from Ventura, who came to observe the proceedure...

He said they are done, and everything seemed to go well... She is resting and doctor Cameron (UCLA surgen) will be out shortly to talk to us...

Keep praying...
Larry

8/8 - Update 8:30 AM

We left Oxnard at 3:45 and got to UCLA this am at 5:15. This place is very large!!! It took us a while to find where to go in...

After all paperwork they gave Peg an I.V. and epidural...and at 8:05 they wheeled her into OR. She was very calm and peaceful and chatting with everyone.

Patsy, Joe, Jeff, Sandy, and Lauri (my sister) are all here...

The proceedure will be approx 4 hrs...pray for the following...
1. No blood transfusion will be necessary
2. They will not need to remove any part of the right lung
3. The respirator tube will be able to be removed after surgery
4. That ICU time will be minimum or not even needed

From UCLA, love ya all,

Larry

8/7 - The Day Before the Miracle

Well, today is the day "before" we see the hand of God work mightily in Peggy's life. We have made arrangements for the kids during this time. The surgery is scheduled for 7:30 a.m. tomorrow morning. I'll be staying down there in Dennis & Lauri's motor home in the UCLA parking lot 32 which is about 2 blocks from the Medical Center to be close to Peggy. I will be updating the blog remotely via my cell phone, and will try to send mini-posts every few hours or so.

Thanks for all the prayers...here are a few scriptures...
"The eyes of the LORD search the whole earth in order to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him" - 2 Cor. 16:9
"You keep Peggy in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because she trusts in You." - Isa. 26:3

Here is additional information about Dr. Cameron and UCLA Medical Center.

Love you all...Larry

8/1- Meeting Dr. Cameron - UCLA

We meet with Dr. Robert Cameron yesterday at his office near UCLA. We both were really impressed with him and his practice. He has had more experience with these kinds of tumors and didn't feel that this was anything unusual. With that and the fact that his surgery schedule can get me in next week we have decided to go ahead and have the surgery with Dr. Cameron at UCLA medical center. I am scheduled for Tuesday, August 8th. He indicated that it will 5 days in the hospital and up to 12 weeks for recovery. We are trusting God it will be less than that!

Dr. Cameron requested a PET scan to confirm all the other findings with the tumor to make sure this is the best treatment for me. We did the PET scan yesterday after the appointment and just need to hear the results. I did my pre-op stuff today at CMH. They will fax the results over to UCLA. This includes an EKG and blood work. Some of his observations were: it doesn't look like it is affecting the heart, not sure if the lung or part of lung will need to be removed, there seems to be "dead cells" within the core of the tumor (could this be the working of God in disolving & removing it?), and that he is not sure that it is really encroaching upon any structures. He is familar with this type of tumor and has done a number of these.

I appreciate all the prayers that you all have been putting out for me and my family. I really felt the peace of God yesterday. I have a renewed sense of assurance about all of this. I know God is in this with me and will remain close by my side through it all. I really looking forward to being on the other side of this. I know God will work out all the details that come along with being out of commission for awhile. Please pray with me that the doctors will in someway be amazed and confounded by something. I pray the hand of God can show up in some way in this surgery. I praying the Lord will use me in whatever way to encourage other patients or hospital staff or whatever. I feel like this is a mini-missionary opportunity and I don't want to miss whatever it is God has for me to do for Him.

Larry will be updating the blog as often as possible to keep all of you in the know and also knowing how to pray as things come up!! Blessing to all of you!!