Great News!

The final pathology report came back and Bruce is cancer free at the tumor sites and in all 21 lymph nodes that were removed for analysis!  This means that his ileostomy can be reversed in a few months if everything continues on course.  It was a busy day: NG tube removed, physical therapy to improve his breathing, full laps around the floor, and ileostomy care training for me.  Bruce's mom came to visit so I took an hour walk in the evening and did that feel good!  It was also comforting to have someone to come home with to decompress.  Bruce is feeling better than yesterday but he has lost his voice due to the irritation from the NG and intubation tubes.  As he cannot speak and is usually only awake for about 5 minutes, he is still not quite ready for visitors or phone calls but we are still taking all the prayers and positive thoughts that come our way. Our Physician neighbors (David & Klane) who have been in to see him say that he is progressing well and anticipate a (relatively) speedy recovery.  Bruce's surgeon, Dr. Teddy, is very pleased with the surgery and pathology reports.  Hopefully, tomorrow will see more progress in his healing, pain reduction, and beginning of elimination functions.  Love, Cynthia

July 30, 2008

Another very long day.  Bruce got up  and walked with the assistance of a walker and his pole following behind him.  Quite difficult for a man to see himself so incapacitated after living such an active life, but he made three half trips around the floor throughout the day.  The boys came to visit in two shifts and I think it was difficult for all but good for everyone at the same time.  He had a fever for most of the day and eventually took some tylenol which helped him feel better.  He was in pain most of the day so utilizing his morphine pump also made him quite sedated.  Some have asked about visiting but I don't think he'll be ready for additional visitors for another couple of days.  I will keep you posted.  Bruce's mom is flying in tomorrow so I'm sure he will feel some added comfort and it will give me a chance to go for a walk.  The inactivity is incongruent with my nature as well.   Tomorrow I meet with the special nurse so I can learn about ileostomy care.  Reading the booklet was already quite helpful.  Keep us in your prayers.

Love, Cynthia

Surgery success, July 29

ello Everyone,

Well it was a verrry long day starting at 5:00Am.  Bruce was in surgery for four hours and recovery for two hours and yes his surgery was finished before the earthquake!  He is resting comfortably in his beautiful suite with a view of the healing gardens at St. Joseph's hospital in Orange.  Our doctors and the staff have been outstanding and I know he will be in good hands throughout the night.  The surgery proceeded with no surprises and there appears to be no remaining evidence of tumor.  Bruce has a temporary iliostomy (sp?) which he hopes will be removed in a few months once everything has healed.  He already wants to come home but first we must get him walking and then eating, drinking and eliminating.  One function at a time. Amber endured the day with me and her support was invaluable.  We were both surprised that with most of his body in an altered condition, Bruce's humor remained intact!  The boys spoke with him briefly today and will go in to visit tomorrow.  Thanks to all for your prayers, emails , and best wishes.  I will try to keep you posted daily.

Love,

Cynthia 

July 28PM

This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. THIS IS ONLY A TEST!!!!  Cynthia is at the computer learning how to update Bruce's blog for tomorrow's news of the successful surgery.  Thank you to all for your thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Bruce and Cynthia

Quick upda;te

I received a lot of information over the weekend. I believe I will be able to post from the hospital at some point.

In the mean time, some have asked how to respond. 2 ways.

You can go to the bottom of the post and click on comments and post a comment which everyone can read or your can send me an e mail to Haashome@cox.net

Bruce

July 24 Back to reality

Nothing like a visit with your surgeon to bring one back to reality.

Although the surgeon is still very positive about my ultimate survival rate, yesterday was not an encouraging day.

The surgeon is pretty assured he will want to do an ilcoscomy, hopefully, temporary that will be removed in 3 months with another surgery. He is also very sure he wants me to do another 4-6 months of more a intense Chemo treatment. The last thing he wants is any chance of reoccurring.

According to Cynthia, this has pretty much been the treatment plan all along and I have been deluding myself into the best case scenarios. According to me, this is just another conspiracy. The good part of my delusion is that I have really enjoyed feeling better lately and have not been worried about the surgery and pending chemo treatments. And since all we have are moments, I would not have changed anything.

I am very pleased with the treatment course we have chosen, I am still counting on positive outcomes that this just becomes a bad dream and my life will return to normal again, it is just going to take longer than I believed or hoped.

Again I appreciate all the prayers, good wished and thoughts. It has always been very reassuring to know that I am not going through this alone.

The next time I post I will probably be in morphine. According to some family members I will probably have more clarity in my writing, or as they say, "it can't get much worse,," although if it does I have my built in excuse.

July 22

We all survived a week vacation and are back in one piece. I meet with my doctors on Thursday to go over the surgery. This week I have my pre op tests.

I am a little concerned meeting with my Doctor since his advice was to stay out of the sun and not to get Montezuma revenge if we went to Mexico. Fortunately, I had really good sunscreen and the revenge passed through me in about half a day. In fact, I was able to regain about half the weight I lost during Chemo and radiation.

My surgery is set for next Tuesday at 7:30 am. I am planning on teaching Cynthia how to update the blog so you all will probably know the results before I do or at least I can comprehend them. (I have pre-ordered extra morphine)

I will try to post again after meeting with the surgeon when I know a little more to expect on timing and recovery etc, although I am not sure they will know a lot of the answers until they open me up and do the pathologies.

Thank you again for all the support, prayers and good wishes. Cynthia's e mail is CynthiaWoelfel@gmail.com she may prefer to send a general e mail so if you like you can send her your e mail address and get added.

July 7

We just got back from a great family and friends weekend on Coronado Island. I managed to stay out of the sun enough, I hope, and still have a great time. Me energy is slowly coming back, I wish I could say the same about my strength. I did manage to play a little basketball and help keep the other team close.

I also managed to take Aaron fly fishing in the Sierra's and hunting on a friends ranch in Northern California. Aaron managed to get 2 Russian bores, we are not waiting to get the sausage from the butcher. Of course the fly fishing was all catch and release. I got to practice my long line release many times, ofter while still managing to catch numerous trees immediately following the release of the trout.

We tried to spear fish in Coronado but the waves were too rough and the visiblity was limited.

We are going to Mexico, in place of our Hawaii trip, next week. After we get back I will get a serious of tests and doctor visits, although the next real news will be after the surgery to see if additional surgeries are required or if additional Chemo treatments are required.

I will probably be the last person to know since I will be under and out of it, but Cynthia will send an update. Thank you again for all the kind words, thoughts, prayers and help through all this. I am really starting to look forward to my 50th birthday next year when all this is just a bad dream.