GOOD NEWS FROM THE DOCTOR!

A THIRD OPTION FOR SURGERY

Previously, the doctor listed an option A and an option B. Option A was two operations. The first would remove the diseased tissue from the right lobe of my liver and clot the hepatic artery, directing all the blood to the remnant of the right lobe to accelerate regeneration. A month later, I would return and have the diseased portion of the left lobe removed. That was called the Gold Standard.

Option B would remove the same portion of the right lobe and only the bottom portion of the left lobe in one operation.

Friday, he mentioned a third option. He told us that once he has made the incision he is going to look around. Then he will perform and ultrasound scan of my liver to reveal anything that may be there that the other tests did not show. Depending on what he finds, and if my liver is healthy enough, he could remove all the diseased tissue in one operation. With this option C, we would get the Gold Standard in one operation! This would be great!

I believe that my liver is healthy enough. I am asking you all to agree with us that everything works for option C.

SURGICAL SCHEDULE

I am to report for pre-op prep tomorrow at 9 a.m. I don’t know exactly how long it will take. I have to get my pretty little ID bracelet and get into the gown with the flow-through ventilation. They have to start an IV and I’m not sure what else before they take me to OR.

• Once I am in OR, they will:
• Use the first IV to knock me out while they finish the prep
• Place the epidural catheter (for pain management) in my back
• Place the Foley catheter to collect urine
• Secure my arms and legs to keep me still
• Start another IV in my carotid artery or jugular vein for delivery of fluids
• Entubate me so I can breathe
• Then fully anesthetize me for the operation itself

All that will take time, I just don’t know exactly how much.

Next, the doctor will begin the incision, a process that will, in itself, take 45 minutes. Once the incision is made, everything is retracted and the area is prepped, he can finally start his inspection of my inner most parts. After looking around, he will perform the ultrasound scan of my liver.

Based on what he sees in his inspection and in the ultrasound, he will finally decide which option he wants to pursue and begin to work on my liver. He said the procedure will be a minimum of four hours. When he is finished with whatever he does, they have to clean the area, close me up, staple the new addition to my abdominal roadmap, and “wake me up.” I am not sure how conscious I will be in the 23-hour recovery.

PRAYER FOCUS

Tomorrow I will need your prayers.

• It can be very hard to find my veins for the first IV, so please pray that the person doing it gets it the first time, no digging around.
• Please pray specifically that Jesus guides Dr. Abdalla's hands during surgery,
• Pease pray that the Holy Spirit tangibly fills the operating room and keeps the entire surgical team focused and sharp.
• Please pray that all the surgical equipment functions properly.
• Pease pray that the Holy Spirit tangibly fills the 23-hour recovery room and keeps the entire recovery team focused and sharp.
• Please pray that all the recovery equipment functions properly.
• Pease pray that the Holy Spirit tangibly fills my hospital room and keeps the entire nursing team focused and sharp.
• Please pray that all the monitoring and IV equipment functions properly.
• Please pray that I have a painless, infection-free recovery.
• Please pray that Abraham is able to rest and stays well and strong because I will definitely need his help!

Abraham and I thank you so much for your prayers. I will update as soon as possible!

Mary and Abraham


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TO FREEZE OR NOT TO FREEZE…URGENT NEED FOR PRAYER!

TRAVEL TO HOUSTON WEDNESDAY

When we were married eight years ago this coming weekend, the Ark-La-Tex area was hit by a huge ice storm that closed the roads for several days.

We have seen forecasts predicting ice on Wednesday (our travel day), while others have said it “might” be overcast and misty, but no ice. The truth is, they don’t know!

We are asking you to agree with us that:

1. The weather Wednesday will be good for travel
2. We will have a safe trip
3. Everyone on the road will be safe
4. Our room at the hotel will be ready

TEXT MESSAGE UPDATE TEST

My apologies, I forgot about the email/text message test Friday, so we’ll do it now! I will send a text message to all the cell phone numbers I have to verify that I have your correct cell phone number. If you don’t receive the text message, just email or call me and we’ll get it corrected before we start sending the text message updates on my condition.

More soon!

Mary and Abraham

FIGHTING COLON CANCER: URGENT NEED FOR ADDITIONAL HELP

WE ARE GETTING DOWN TO THE WIRE…

So many of you have made donations…we are so grateful! Those of you who have made donations should have received your e-Thank You notes by now.

Everyone has been incredibly generous, but it’s not nearly enough. We still need a big chunk of money to pay for our lodging (which could be $3200 to $4400 depending on the length of the stay).

NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT!

We still need your help. If you have thought about making a donation but have not yet done so, we are asking you to please go ahead and do that.

COMPLICATIONS OF TECHNICAL PROBLEMS

If, at any time, the “Chip In” widget does not appear, it is due to trouble on their site (which is beyond my control). Should that occur, please use one of these alternative methods to make your donations.

1. MAKE A DONATION ONLINE THROUGH PAYPAL’S SECURE SERVER:

- Click here to open PayPal.
- Click on the Send Money link at the top of the page.
- Copy this email address: ColonCancerDeathSentenceReversed@yahoo.com
- Paste the above email address into the To field.
- Enter the amount of your donation into the Amount field.
- Click the Service/Other button.
- Click the Continue button.
- In the next window, Review Your Payment to make sure everything is correct.
- If you want to include the optional message, list the subject and enter the message.
- Click the Send Money button to complete the transaction.

2. MAKE A DONATION IN PERSON:

- Make your check payable to the Mary L. Weeks-Ayala Medical Donations Account.
- Deliver in person Tuesday (Monday is MLK Day) to any Frost Bank location in Texas.
- Call or email me to let me know.

3. MAKE A DONATION BY MAIL:

- Make your check payable to the Mary L. Weeks-Ayala Medical Donations Account.
- Mail your check to:

Frost Bank
5561 Bryant Irvin Road
Fort Worth, TX 76132

- Call or email me to let me know.

THANKS FOR PARTICIPATING IN MY MIRACLE!

I believe that God has already created a medical miracle for me. I believe that He is still working on a monetary miracle for me. By participating in the monetary miracle, you become part of the medical miracle. Without your help, I cannot finish this race…and this is a race I desperately want to finish! Thanks so much for your help! God bless you!

SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG POST

ALREADY HAVE ENOUGH TO REMEMBER?

I am sure you already have enough to remember in your daily lives without trying to remember to visit my blog to see what’s new! I have a fantastic shortcut for you. You can subscribe to the post and receive email notifications whenever I update it!

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE

1. Scroll all the way down to the very bottom of the page where you’ll see “Subscribe to: Posts(Atom).”
2. Click “Posts(Atom), which will open a subscription window.
3. Click “Subscribe,” and you are finished!

Quite simple…and quite painless. And you will automatically receive an email containing a link to the new post next time I update the blog.

I hope you’ll take advantage of this free service!

Until next time!

Mary

CHANGE OF FOCUS

CHANGE OF FOCUS

Thanks for sending your cell numbers! I am also working on the possibility of emailing from my phone to those whose cell phones don’t text. I know my phone can do it. I just need to figure out how!

Abraham and I have discovered that the internet business is not going to help us like we had hoped. It seems that we would not have immediate access to our part of the money. We need the money in hand (or at least in the Medical Donations Account) next week when we leave town.

For that reason, we are shifting our focus from attempts to earn money to an all-out plea for help. Donations will be the only way to quickly gather the cash we need. Several of you have already made your donations, for which we are very grateful! You should have received your e-Thank You notes.

NEED FOR PRAYER…AND ACTION

We are asking you to pray for the people to whom God has already spoken about giving, that they follow through without hesitation. You can make secure donations through this site (see sidebar) or make donations directly to Frost Bank in person at any location or mail donations payable to:

Mary L. Weeks-Ayala Medical Donations Account
c/o Frost Bank
5561 Bryant Irvin Road
Fort Worth, TX 76132

If you do mail your donation to Frost, please email or call me to let me know. Those donations will be deposited without records of the sources, so unless you give me the heads up, I won’t be able to send you an e-Thank You note.

If you have already made your donation, you already have our thanks! If you have not already made your donation, please take a moment to take care of it. We thank you in advance for helping save my life!

REMEMBER TO SUBSCRIBE TO MY BLOG POST

1. Scroll all the way down to the very bottom of the page where you’ll see “Subscribe to: Posts(Atom).”
2. Click “Posts(Atom), which will open a subscription window.
3. Click “Subscribe,” and you are finished!

Quite simple…and quite painless. And you will automatically receive an email containing a link to the new post next time I update the blog.

I hope you’ll take advantage of this free service!

INTERIM COMMUNICATIONS

COMMUNICATIONS WHILE I AM INCOMMUNICADO

Abraham and I have been working on ways to keep everyone updated while I am knocked out. Especially, while I am in 23-hour-observation immediately following surgery, text messaging will be the best way to contact you all. So, until I feel up to email, we have developed a series of text messages which Abraham will send from my phone to everyone who wants to receive them.

I have cell phone numbers for many of you, but not all of you. If you want to receive the email updates, please email your cell phone numbers to me. I will enter them into my phone this week and prepare a list for Abraham so he knows who to include in the recipient list.

TEXT MESSAGE TEST THIS FRIDAY

We have received several new cell numbers which I have programmed into my phone. I plan to send a test email Friday. I will first send an email to everyone, alerting them of the test. Then, I will send a brief text message to everyone who has thus far requested inclusion in the list. If you do not receive a text message and would like to, call, text or email to let me know and give me your cell number.

PHONE CALLS BEFORE…AND AFTER

You are, of course, welcome to contact me via phone any time before surgery on Monday, January 28. Following surgery, I will let you know when I feel up to phone calls. We will probably text message everyone. Then I will wait for you to contact me when it’s convenient for you. And I will look forward to hearing from you!

SURGICAL EXPECTATIONS

SURGICAL EXPECTATIONS

Before we left Houston, Dr. Abdalla gave us a packet of information giving details of how to prepare for surgery, what to expect, what will happen the day of surgery, immediately after surgery, what happens after surgery and what I must do toward my own recovery. I want to share it with you so you will also know what to expect…and where you can focus your prayers. The information is very detailed, but I will try to keep it short and understandable!

PREPARING FOR SURGERY

Right now, my part of the preparation is to eat protein-rich foods as part of my balanced diet. I am also trying to get enough rest, even though sleeping has been a challenge of late!

On January 24, I must undergo all the tests again: blood work, EKG, CT scan, chest x-rays, so the doctors have the latest images to work with. I will see the doctors the next day, Friday. Saturday will be my “day off,” so we are planning to visit the museum again. (I really want to see those sculptures again!)

Sunday will be another “fun” day, since I have to clear my colon for surgery. That day I will have only clear liquids and laxatives. Mmm, mmm, good!

OPERATION DAY: PRE-OP

I haven’t received the actual appointment time yet. I probably won’t get that until after I see the doctors Friday, but it will probably be early. Once I arrive at the hospital holding area, I have to get into one of those breezy little gowns we all know and love!

They will monitor my blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation, so I will have the blood pressure cuff, electrodes and the glowing red “ET phone home” finger clamp. Fluids and the initial “sleepy juice” will be introduced through an IV in my hand. Abraham will be in the holding area with me until they actually take me into the operating room.

IN THE OPERATING ROOM

Once in OR, the will transfer me to the operating table to finish sedating me. My arms and legs will be secured. Once I am out, they will entubate me, start a larger IV in my carotid artery and place protective lubricant in my eyes. (The carotid IV will remain until I can actually drink enough fluids.)

Up to this point, the prep is expected to take a couple of hours. The actual operation is expected to last four hours or so.

While I am sedated, they will place an epidural catheter to deliver pain medication directly to my spine. It will be taped into place so I can move around. According to the anesthesiologist, it will address the pain without making me so loopy or knocking me out completely. I will have a button to dispense the medication as I need it.

I will also have a Foley catheter to constantly drain urine and one of three different contraptions to prevent blood clots in my legs. After the catheters and several drainage tubes have been placed, they will bring me out of sedation.

23-HOUR OBSERVATION

Once I leave OR, I will not go to a regular recovery room. Instead, I will be closely monitored in the 23-hour observation unit for, guess how many hours…23! During that time, Abraham will be able to visit me in limited increments.

CELEBRATING OUR ANNIVERSARY…BY MOVING TO MY HOSPITAL ROOM?

We will celebrate our 8th anniversary on January 29 by moving from observation to a room where I will enjoy the delights of a clear liquid diet for three days.

To prevent lung infections, I have to do breathing exercises every six minutes! And I have to cough three times an hour. With a huge incision just above my diaphragm! Woo hoo! They suggest hugging a pillow over the staples when I cough. Newsflash: Not a lot of help! Coughing in March 2006 with 50 staples zipping my belly shut was not easy—even with the pillow!

POST-OP DAY ONE

• The dressing on my incision will be removed.
• I will start drinking clear liquids. (By now it has probably been more than 48 hours since I “ate” my last clear liquid!)
• I will walk the hall three times and sit in a chair (no time length specified).
• While in bed, I will wear the gadget boots that prevent blood clots.

POST-OP DAY TWO

• As I am able to drink more fluids, the volume of IV liquids will be reduced.
• I get to sit in the chair longer than Day One.
• If I will walk the hall three times daily, I can ditch the gadget boots. Yea!!

POST-OP DAY THREE

• If I can tolerate it, I can start a regular diet. Bring it on! Remember, the last day I had solid food was Sunday morning—FIVE days ago!
• I get to sit in the chair even longer and walk as much as possible.

POST-OP DAY FOUR

• Continue breathing exercises and walking.
• I must eat frequent small high-protein meals (4-6 daily).
• I will begin the transition from the IV pain meds to the oral meds.
• I may be able to ditch the Foley catheter.

POST-OP DAY FIVE

• Continue breathing exercises and walking.
• Continue eating 4-6 small high-protein meals daily.
• I will finish the transition from the IV pain meds to the oral meds.
• IV fluids will be stopped, but the IV access will remain.
• We’ll talk about going home (to the hotel).

POST-OP DAY SIX

• Continue breathing exercises and walking.
• Continue eating 4-6 small high-protein meals daily.
• The drain tubes will be removed.

POST-OP DAY SEVEN

• Continue breathing exercises and walking.
• Continue eating 4-6 small high-protein meals daily.
• IV will be completely removed.
• Get discharge prescriptions and instructions and schedule one week appointment.
• Relocate to the hotel.

I’LL BE READY TO LEAVE THE HOSPITAL WHEN I CAN:

• Walk and sit.
• Eat my regular diet.
• Go to the bathroom or pass gas.
• Control the pain with oral meds.
• Care for the wound (lots of experience with that).

As long as I do not have fever and Dr. Abdalla believes I am ready, I will be able to leave the hospital.

THE WEEK IN THE HOTEL

The week in the hotel will be like the last few days at the hospital. I have to sit, walk, eat, drink, potty, change the dressing on the wound, monitor my vital signs and check my temperature. And, let’s hope I can sleep!

ONE WEEK POST-DISCHARGE APPOINTMENT

Seven days after leaving the hospital, I will return to see Dr. Abdalla. He will check the incision and make sure I am ready to travel. If all is well, we will be able to leave. If he thinks I’m not ready, we will have to stay longer…maybe another week. We won’t know until then.

QUITE AN ORDEAL!

It will be quite an ordeal for both of us. Abraham has already planned to pack his timer so he can coach me on the breathing and coughing exercises! Even though it will be challenging, we both believe it will be worth it for the increased opportunity to be cancer-free.

Just so you know, my “sitting” exercises will be performed while typing updates to keep you all informed!

Mary and Abraham

MY STORY: COLON CANCER DEATH SENTENCE REVERSED!

WHAT A PEACEFUL DREAM...

Gentle waves rock me to that place you go just before falling asleep. The sun soothes my skin, as the wind whispers her lullaby of rest. I don’t have to be anywhere anytime soon. Here on my imaginary raft, everything is warm, soft, peaceful, comfortable…perfect.

Later, hovering in the place between sleeping and waking, I am aware of a strange sensation near my belly button. Still dazed with anesthesia, I notice discomfort radiating from my abdomen. What is this? Struggling to reach full consciousness, I move both hands toward my abdominal area. It’s lumpy…What is that? I wonder. Except for the pain in my stomach lately, I have always been in good health.

FIGHTING THROUGH TO MORPHINE HAZE

Finally managing to lift my eyelids, I gaze into the weary eyes of my husband, Abraham, now haggard from lack of sleep. He takes my right hand in his, as he did the day we were married. "Honey," he says sweetly, his brown eyes filling with pools of love and deep concern, "You’re okay. You’re in the hospital. You had to have emergency surgery to remove a blockage from your colon."

"Dr. Dewar performed an exploratory colonoscopy and found a tumor that had completely blocked your colon," he continued. "You needed emergency surgery. He called Dr. Rutledge, who removed the tumor and a section of your colon. He couldn't reconnect your colon right now, so he gave you a colostomy."

TOTAL HELPLESSNESS

The oncologist arrived next. Cold and inattentive, he blurts, "Yes, it’s colon cancer, and it’s spread to your liver. Come to my office, and we’ll start chemo." With a flourish of his white lab coat, he turned on one heel and disappeared. I did not like him. I felt helpless.

Get a second opinion, I reasoned. Surely they can remove lesions from my liver, or even remove part of the liver itself, allowing it to
re-grow cancer-free. The CT machine in Houston, however, produced more hopeless details, multiple lesions. My liver looked like a gumball machine, filled with tumors. The operation was a no-go. I was crushed.

AT LAST, A RAY OF HOPE!

The doctors at The University of Texas M. C. Anderson Cancer Center were the first to offer hope. They instructed me to proceed with chemotherapy with the goal of allowing the chemo to shrink and eliminate as many tumors as possible, then return for re-evaluation. I eventually switched oncologists, so that they could collaborate with a former colleague who had relocated to Fort Worth.

Their 12-month customized treatment plan – although physically grueling and financially draining – has cleared all but three tumors from my liver. I am now a candidate for surgery! Two final operations will remove the diseased tissue and allow my liver
to re-grow cancer-free.

NEED FOR SURGERY

Without these operations, I may live for another couple of years, but the tumors will definitely return. Where they reappear determines how long I will live.

Until now, no one who has had the disease in such advanced stages as I once did has responded to treatment well enough to even be considered for these operations. Most people with advanced Stage IV colon cancer are considered beyond help and usually die within 6-12 months of diagnosis.

ONE FOR THE MEDICAL RECORD BOOKS!

Having already outlived the average Stage IV patient, I will be in the medical record books! What’s more, I have an opportunity to have surgery to be cancer-free! And although Dr. Abdalla can’t guarantee I will remain cancer-free forever, he is confident these operations will tremendously increase my odds--giving me a fighting chance to live a long and healthy life.

I was not ready to die at the time of the initial diagnosis, and I am not ready to die now! Abraham is not ready for me to die, either, and has laid down his career to help me live. Our personal financial resources were exhausted more than 18 months ago. Only through my family’s generosity have we made it this far. Unfortunately, their financial resources are now exhausted, as well.

URGENT NEED FOR ASSISTANCE

I am tentatively scheduled for the first of two operations at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center on January 28.

Here’s how you can help us pay for the operations I need to save my life:

1. Pray. If God chooses to heal me through this rather than deliver me out of it, please pray specifically that Jesus guides Dr. Abdalla's hands during surgery, that the Holy Spirit tangibly fills the operating room and keeps the entire surgical team focused and sharp, that all the equipment functions properly and that I have a painless recovery.

2. Make an individual donation online through PayPal's secure server.

- Copy this email address: ColonCancerDeathSentenceReversed@yahoo.com.
- Click here to open PayPal.
- Click on the Send Money link at the top of the page.
- Paste the above email address into the To field.
- Type your email address into the From field.
- Enter the amount of your donation into the Amount field.
- Click the Service/Other button.
- Click Continue to complete the transaction.

3. Make an individual donation in person.

- Deliver your check made payable to:
Mary L. Weeks-Ayala Medical Donations Account
to any Frost Bank location in Texas, the only bank we found to give same day deposit credit.

4. Make an individual donation by mail.

- Mail your check made payable to:
Mary L. Weeks-Ayala Medical Donations Account
c/o Frost Bank
5561 Bryant Irvin Road
Fort Worth, TX 76132

- Call us at 817-569-7621 or click here to email us for more information. Every prayer counts. Every dollar counts. Both are greatly appreciated.

God bless your gracious generosity!

Mary and Abraham


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