GOOD NEWS!

Loved ones:

Thanks to all your prayers and support we'll be heading home much happier.

We checked out with the doctor this morning and got the pathology report. Not only did they not find any cancer outside the endometrial lining, the totality of the cancer they did find evaluated to a grade 2 instead of a grade 3, meaning radiation is not recommended.

Instead Peggy will be doing intensive regular followups in Dallas on a pretty constant schedule to verify that she remains cancer free. The specimens will be rechecked for a second opinion in Dallas and the doctor there will set the followup schedule but we were told at least monthly for the first 90 days, every 90 days for a year and semi-annually after that.

We  have clearly felt and seen the hand of the Lord in answer to all your prayers. Thank you for all your love and prayers. We feel so blessed to be in this place and time surrounded by all of you.

The hospital and doctors were very competent and attentive. It has been a great experience thanks especially to Danny and Norma who have been so helpful. It has been a treat to get to know them better.

After I took Peggy for some shopping and stopped by the Monterrey temple, she really needed a nap. We are planning to start for Dallas Thursday or Friday and be home this weekend. I expect we'll break it up into two hops and not push too hard. We are grateful for painkillers.

Yesterday was a decent day.  I made it through the day with tylenol but took a pain killer in the evening and slept relatively well.  Showering is my favorite time of the day.  That moist warmth just feels good.  No word from the Dr. yesterday nor this morning. Other than the face to face communication at the hospital, he communicates via email.  He gave us his cell but we chose to send an email this morning asking for news or better in person in the morning at our appointment?  Will keep you updated.  Just got a response from the Dr. saying he will have everything ready when we meet in the morning.  I have spent the morning learning a little about the lymph system.  Our body is a miracle at work on a daily basis. It sheds a little light to that song, My Body is a Temple That Needs the Greatest Care".   From the time of the diagnosis I have felt a kick in the pants. Hope I get smarter. (Nobody better respond to that!)

Monday and feeling better

No pathology report yet.  We came home from the hospital yesterday.  We are in such good hands here at Danny and Norma's.  There home and setting is beautiful, ample and most importantly full of love.  She had a hysterectomy within recent years so she is in the know!.  I was able to stretch out the time between pain pills so I am trying tylenol today.  Dad, Carl takes me for a walk every little bit.  It feels like the recovery is moving along really well.  God is good!

Will report again as we learn more.  We are hoping the Dr. will call later today, if not we will call him in the AM.  Thanks for the continued love and prayers!! Heaven is in charge.

Another day under way

Today has been a little more painful but I think that is not too unusual for the third day.  Surely everyday gets better and better.  The Dr. said this AM we should have the pathology reports back by Monday in the afternoon.  We are expecting to be released tomorrow.  That is a double edge sword.  It will be good to be at Danny and Norma's home but a little scary to leave the watchful eye of those who attend.  We walk around the hospital every hour to try to maintain some movement and drink lots of water to keep flushing.  Poco a poco.  

Hugs and kisses,

Let the discomfort begin

Morning:
Feeling pretty perky while the drugs are flowing. Been fasting since Wednesday, but I finally got a sip

Night:
So they left the epidermal in on a very low dose until the afternoon.  Within an hour or two I started feeling it.  They have given me another shot and will continue to do so until I leave.  All the tubes are out except the port for injections for antibiotics, pain and something for bloating.  We have been impressively attended to. I am told that this Dr is well sought after.  We will now wait the pathology report then he thinks if all is will be able travel a few days later.  any follow up he might recommend we hope to do in Texas. 

Carl's cousin whom we will stay with after the hospital have been a tremendous asset.  He came to hospital from the first and helped us through paper work and acquainting us with the hospital.  They come by often and check on us.  It has been fun to spend time with them.

I love family all over the country plus the many acquaintances.  Thank you each!

2/13

I had an anxious night but did sleep.  We are here in the hospital.  (Very adequate and all are attentive)  I am glad I have at least some command of the language.  Gratefully, Carl and Danny are both here and can answer what I can't.  I am feeling much more peaceful this AM.  Carl and Danny gave me a blessing and I felt like all the ice melted.




Mid-day:

Doctor Saleh came in a few minutes ago and previewed the operation. The MRI came back quite good. There is no sign of cancer outside the uterus. They did see an apparently unrelated dark spot on the pancreas that he will check out during the surgery. He will do the complete hysterectomy including the ovaries and cervix along with the lymph nodes. He also does an "abdominal wash".

All that will go to Pathology and results should be back within a week. Depending on the pathology report, they will recommend further treatment. It is possible no radiation would be recommended, it's on the borderline right now. The cancer is probably a stage 1a or 1b (contained) and the grade 3 agressiveness may be adjusted depending on the full pathology (he says it can vary up to 30% from the biopsy)

She should be in around 2 hours so around 1:00 to 1:30. 

I got into her room early to set up this computer and work on a pressing freelance job while she is "busy". She is in room 205.

They are giving her an epidural for the surgery and she will be on IV drugs (probably morphine) for 24 hours afterwards for pain.

I will do a Hangout when they bring her out of surgery but don't expect mom to be responsive.

Love you guys...everyone of you.

Dad

Later afternoon:

I just spoke with the surgeon, Peggy is in post-op for 2 or 3 more hours.

As expected the cancer appeared to be confined to the uterus. Everything expected was removed, 6 or 7 lymph nodes on each side were a bit enlarged (but did not appear cancerous) so they were removed. The area on the pancreas he was checking was not an issue. There was a small cyst on the liver that was normal. He mentioned they found a small hernia and fixed it.

The entire abdominal cavity is washed and all the liquid collected for pathology. They will check everything for any additional cancer cells.

The operation was a very positive success, in other words. The surgeon saw no evidence of cancer apart from the known area in the endometrial lining. The pathologists will give the final word on a microscopic level, but at this point he thinks there is complete removal.

Thanks for all your prayers in Peggy's behalf. Danny, Norma and Dalein have been here most of the day so we are a happy group.

I don't suppose Peggy will be awake for a while but I will do a Hangout with you kids at 5:00pm CST. She should be in the room by then.

I have to say that I have been very impressed with the doctors, nurses, hospital and the open friendly treatment. Everyone has been gracious and quick to communicate, very professional in thier manner. Compared to my experiences in US hospitals, they are much more open and communicative, very efficient. I spoke with the surgeon, the gynecologist who referred us, the anesthesiologist, etc. Very impressive.

Thank you all, 

Dad

2/12

We were slow getting here and visited for a bit before getting to a computer.  I shared today's journal entry but lost it about the time we got to the border while I was trying to get on the internet.  I will share what I remember.  We left this AM about 6:15.  My body was feeling a little more anxious today.  It is kind of like needing to go to the bathroom when you are out and about and you just wait until you are close to home.  Somehow the body knows that and goes into panic mode.  Asi es hoy.  I was telling Dad how interesting it is that the body psychologically operates.  As soon as I was diagnosed I felt more twinges and as the surgery gets closer the more it feels.  So my question is "how do it know" or is it Heavenly Father's way of taking care until help arrives.  

It was nice to get an extra hug from Cara and Wes as they left for seminary.

We are here and comfortable and Dad will call Curtis post surgery and have him set up a conference call.

Thank you for strengthening me and giving me courage.