RETURN TO HOUSTON
We are leaving tomorrow returning to Houston for the Portal Vein Embolization procedure on Tuesday.
I have to have the lab work done before the CT scan, so I have to have that done Sunday afternoon following our arrival. Why Sunday? Because I am schedule to begin the CT prep at 6:30 a.m. Monday morning! The scan itself is scheduled for 8 a.m., followed by an assessment appointment in Radiology at 9 a.m., anesthesia assessment at 9:45 a.m. and finally, a follow-up visit in the GI center at 1:30 p.m.
According to the schedule, I have to check-in Tuesday at 8 a.m. for the procedure at 10 a.m. I will have to spend the night at the hospital Tuesday night. We expect to be released sometime Wednesday. And since, I know better than to expect to sleep Tuesday night, we will stay in the hotel Wednesday night to make sure we are rested for the return trip Thursday.
We are staying at the Hampton Inn & Suites on Old Spanish Trail. We inspected the rooms there before reserving on to make sure that they were clean. (It is operated by Holiday Inn.)
The following information is from M. D. Anderson’s website:
PORTAL VEIN EMBOLIZATION
Major resections of the liver can be performed provided the post-operative residual liver is adequate in size and function. Portal vein embolization involves the insertion of a catheter into the portal vein through the liver. Contrast material ("dye") is injected to define the anatomy of the portal venous system. Selective branches of the portal vein are then blocked with small particles and metal coils until the flow of blood is stopped.
Growth of the non-embolized portion of the liver usually takes 3-4 weeks and CT is used to document the change. You can expect to remain in the hospital for 1-2 days following the procedure.
According to what Dr. Abdalla told us before we left, the procedure takes about three hours, and because I have to be still all that time, I will be knocked out. When it’s over, I will be admitted for overnight observation.
BACK HOME THURSDAY
We expect to return to Fort Worth Thursday. We will keep you posted.
Mary and Abraham
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
THE LATEST NEWS…
SURGICAL DETAILS
I realized that I incorrectly dated my last update because I was tired. I forgot that it was January when we left, so when I checked the date on my calendar, I looked at January, not February. That’s why I put 02/11/08 instead of 02/08/08. I decided to get some sleep before sending another update! So, now that I have gotten caught up on my rest, so it’s time to get you caught up on the details of our most recent trip to Houston.
On January 26, I told you that Dr. Abdalla listed three options for surgery. Once he got me opened up (kind of like open heart surgery, only without breaking my breastbone), he decided on a fourth option: remove the entire left lobe first! He did say my liver was gorgeous! That’s not something you hear everyday!
To remove the liver tissue yet leave the circulatory structures, Dr. Abdalla used a water scalpel that is normally used in brain surgery. It dissolves the tissue without destroying the veins to facilitate regeneration. He said he performed brain surgery on my liver!
He also said that I had developed a hernia at the site of one of my other scars where the muscles had become separated. He repaired that and used a sheet of mesh to have something to anchor all the stitches to.
NEXT TRIP IN JUST A FEW DAYS
We are preparing to return to Houston in just a few days. We leave Sunday. I will have all new tests and see the doctors Monday, undergo the portal vein embolization Tuesday, spend the night in the hospital Tuesday night and be released Wednesday. Since I am certain that they won’t let us sleep much, we are planning to stay in town Wednesday night and leave Thursday morning after we have gotten some rest.
Before we left Houston last time, we checked out several hotels. We discovered that any place charging less that $100 per night was a roach motel. Rotary House is booked for the month of February, so we will stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites. This chain is operated by Holiday Inn. We inspected a room and found it to be quite clean and fresh. They have daily housekeeping, hot breakfast and high-speed internet. It will end up costing the same as the Rotary House room we had last time, but we are relieved that we don’t have to stay in Hotel Hell!
FINAL TRIP...HOPEFULLY!
Before we left, Dr. Abdalla talked about possibly two more trips after the PVE trip next week. Yesterday, I learned that we may have only one more trip. We will return, hopefully the last time, on Sunday, March 23. I will have all new tests Monday, see the doctors Tuesday and be admitted for the second operation Wednesday. We hope to be home again by April 9.
Now that I know which drugs work and to which ones I am allergic, I think I will have a better post-op experience. It is also good to know what to expect this time. We will be more prepared.
The good news for that trip is that we have a reservation at Rotary House! That means we can walk to all my appointments and not have to deal with traffic or parking or bad weather. It will make everything much easier and more comfortable.
STOP THE INSANITY!
The people in the parking buildings are nuts! Patients and employees share limited facilities. When the employees are late and trying to find a quick parking place, they got vicious! One man wanted to fist-fight Abraham for a parking place. Insane! And they drive around the parking building like it’s the Gran Prix. Our van was actually damaged by these crazy people!
Overall, I am feeling pretty well, However, I am having some gastric distress when I eat. The last couple of days, it seems that no matter what I eat or how little I eat, I have sharp stomach cramps. Have to call the nurse about that!
Thanks for your continued prayers. We’ll be in touch again soon!
Mary and Abraham
I realized that I incorrectly dated my last update because I was tired. I forgot that it was January when we left, so when I checked the date on my calendar, I looked at January, not February. That’s why I put 02/11/08 instead of 02/08/08. I decided to get some sleep before sending another update! So, now that I have gotten caught up on my rest, so it’s time to get you caught up on the details of our most recent trip to Houston.
On January 26, I told you that Dr. Abdalla listed three options for surgery. Once he got me opened up (kind of like open heart surgery, only without breaking my breastbone), he decided on a fourth option: remove the entire left lobe first! He did say my liver was gorgeous! That’s not something you hear everyday!
To remove the liver tissue yet leave the circulatory structures, Dr. Abdalla used a water scalpel that is normally used in brain surgery. It dissolves the tissue without destroying the veins to facilitate regeneration. He said he performed brain surgery on my liver!
He also said that I had developed a hernia at the site of one of my other scars where the muscles had become separated. He repaired that and used a sheet of mesh to have something to anchor all the stitches to.
NEXT TRIP IN JUST A FEW DAYS
We are preparing to return to Houston in just a few days. We leave Sunday. I will have all new tests and see the doctors Monday, undergo the portal vein embolization Tuesday, spend the night in the hospital Tuesday night and be released Wednesday. Since I am certain that they won’t let us sleep much, we are planning to stay in town Wednesday night and leave Thursday morning after we have gotten some rest.
Before we left Houston last time, we checked out several hotels. We discovered that any place charging less that $100 per night was a roach motel. Rotary House is booked for the month of February, so we will stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites. This chain is operated by Holiday Inn. We inspected a room and found it to be quite clean and fresh. They have daily housekeeping, hot breakfast and high-speed internet. It will end up costing the same as the Rotary House room we had last time, but we are relieved that we don’t have to stay in Hotel Hell!
FINAL TRIP...HOPEFULLY!
Before we left, Dr. Abdalla talked about possibly two more trips after the PVE trip next week. Yesterday, I learned that we may have only one more trip. We will return, hopefully the last time, on Sunday, March 23. I will have all new tests Monday, see the doctors Tuesday and be admitted for the second operation Wednesday. We hope to be home again by April 9.
Now that I know which drugs work and to which ones I am allergic, I think I will have a better post-op experience. It is also good to know what to expect this time. We will be more prepared.
The good news for that trip is that we have a reservation at Rotary House! That means we can walk to all my appointments and not have to deal with traffic or parking or bad weather. It will make everything much easier and more comfortable.
STOP THE INSANITY!
The people in the parking buildings are nuts! Patients and employees share limited facilities. When the employees are late and trying to find a quick parking place, they got vicious! One man wanted to fist-fight Abraham for a parking place. Insane! And they drive around the parking building like it’s the Gran Prix. Our van was actually damaged by these crazy people!
Overall, I am feeling pretty well, However, I am having some gastric distress when I eat. The last couple of days, it seems that no matter what I eat or how little I eat, I have sharp stomach cramps. Have to call the nurse about that!
Thanks for your continued prayers. We’ll be in touch again soon!
Mary and Abraham
Sunday, January 27, 2008
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.
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.
Abraham and I thank you so much for your prayers. I will update as soon as possible!
Mary and Abraham
Find me on MySpace and be my friend!
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
Find me on MySpace and be my friend!
Monday, January 21, 2008
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:
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
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 travelTEXT MESSAGE UPDATE TEST
2. We will have a safe trip
3. Everyone on the road will be safe
4. Our room at the hotel will be ready
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
Sunday, January 20, 2008
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:
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!
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- Call or email me to let me know.
5561 Bryant Irvin Road
Fort Worth, TX 76132
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!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
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
I hope you’ll take advantage of this free service!
Until next time!
Mary
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).”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.
2. Click “Posts(Atom), which will open a subscription window.
3. Click “Subscribe,” and you are finished!
I hope you’ll take advantage of this free service!
Until next time!
Mary
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
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:
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
I hope you’ll take advantage of this free service!
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 AccountIf 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.
c/o Frost Bank
5561 Bryant Irvin Road
Fort Worth, TX 76132
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).”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.
2. Click “Posts(Atom), which will open a subscription window.
3. Click “Subscribe,” and you are finished!
I hope you’ll take advantage of this free service!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
