The results are in!

Christine just got off the phone with her surgeon with some really great news. Her  tumor was contained within the colon wall and there is no cancer in her lymph nodes. For those of you keeping score at home, her staging is T3,N0,M0 : stage IIa. It does not look like she is going to require chemotherapy. Smiles and relief all around. 

We will follow up with Dr Tsikitis in 2weeks but everything is looking great. 

Better and better

Hey!

Christine is, as you all know, home and resting. She is continuing to make gains in appetite, energy and mobility and is getting used to her life with a semicolon. No word yet on surgical pathology, but she is just focused on getting better. 

She has been loving getting visitors, though she runs out of energy pretty quickly. If you come for a visit, please make sure you are cognizant of this: she might not finish your Yahtzee game! The lovely weather has been enabling her to take nice long walks. The frogs are singing and the boys are going to be home tomorrow. We are trudging slowly - but gratefully - towards Normal. 

Upgraded Accommodations...

Or "How Christine was released early for good behavior"

Christine is at home and quite happy to be out of the hospital. More good rest there, shunt is gone, IV is gone, pain is under control and other criteria have been met. 

Beautiful sunbeams, larger beds, colorful flowers and a high-tech intercom system are all pieces of her upgraded accommodations. The boys should be home soon. 

Pathology results are expected later in the week.

Thanks all for the support!

Aerodynamic look

Because she's gaining velocity 

New do

Hospital day 4

Our dear patient slept well last night and is continuing to feel better each moment. She gets her drain removed today and her pain seems to be getting more manageable. We are starting to get a feel for what some of her challenges might be at home, so thanks to all of you who have offered to help out. We will keep you updated. Looking like a Sunday discharge. 

Feeling a bit reflective...

Hospital day 3

It's hard to believe that just 48 hours ago Christine was in surgery. She continues to make excellent progress. She has been out of bed for extended walks around the hospital, eating gourmet hospital food, and has had her Foley out, had her IVs turned off, and her spirits are high.  She is looking at a likely Sunday discharge, though it could be tomorrow evening if she keeps it up. If you feel like visiting today or tomorrow, give us a call, so we can give you the scoop. 

Enjoying the view...

Out and about!

Visit from the kids...

Bliss phones

Noisy canceling headphones are handy in the hospital...

Two laps!

Walking and eating

Yes. That is Christine sitting up and eating. She just walked 100+ yards!!!

Dr Buttons

Nellie the Incentive Spirometer.

Sunset on day 1

Christine is resting well and tucked into a room on the tenth floor of OHSU's main hospital. This place is jam-packed with sick people, apparently, because they couldn't room her until some other poor soul was "discharged" plus, her room contains another patient. No idea who her cellie is, nor what she is in for, but healing is not being slowed and stiff upper lips are being maintained all around. If she is moved we will blog about it anon. 

Recovering.

And...out of surgery

Hey all,

Ben and I just spoke with Christine's surgeon who pronounced it quite successful! They were able to perform it laparoscopically, they didn't see any local tumor spread, and she handled anesthesia like a champ. Also, there was no need to perform a diversion, i.e. she does not need an ileostomy bag. She is in the recovery room and should be transferred to a room within an hour. There is a lot to be happy and relieved about. We will let you know when she is ready to be social. 

In surgery

Christy went into surgery at 7:35 this morning. All the prep stuff went really smoothly.

She made me promise no pictures so there are none.

She should be out of surgery around noon and we'll post an update around then.

Driving, Parking.

More links:

Parking

Driving

The Tram

Food, Coffee, Services near OHSU

If you become hungry, thirsty, or under-caffeinated while at OHSU, there are many options. OHSU nutrition services has cafeterias, kiosks, baristas and grab-and-go's stashed all over the hospital. The 3rd flood cafeteria (named, appropriately, The Cafe on Third) is the only one that is open 24 hours. Candidly, the best food is served very very late.

If you want non-institutional food, there is a Starbucks in the Doernbecher childrens hospital.  I guess that's kind of institutional....

If you want your food served with an amusement park ride, you can take the aerial tram down to the South Waterfront area. A short walk will lead you to a lot of restaurants and coffee options.  You don't have to pay to take the tram down, but you will have to pay to take it back up unless you can score a pass.  From the South Waterfront you can also catch a street car to go down town where you can find most varieties of cuisine, donuts, live music, city and county government, a mall, and impressive public art.

If you need to purchases any goods or services while you are up here, just let me know what so I can direct you with an eye towards efficiency and convenience.

Surgery tomorrow

Hey everyone


Christine is undergoing the fairly unpleasant process of preparing for her surgery tomorrow. She is dealing with the ins and outs (heh heh) of hyperosmotic bowel prep, saying a fond farewell to her sigmoid colon, and managing to tame nerves by staying busy. Ben will arrive tonight and we will head to the hospital at 5:30 am for a 7:30 am surgery that should last about 3-4 hours. Many of you have questions about visiting so I am going to give you some useful links.

OHSU hospital. Main website.



Map of OHSU  Like many large, complex healthcare institutions located on hillsides, it is quite easy to become lost. People with name badges can help you. She will be in the main hospital (not the Kohler, nor the VA, nor Doernbecher) but won't have a room assigned until she is admitted. Watch this space.


Many of you want to visit Christine while she is in hospital. Please do. Please, however, give Daniel or Ben a call before you do, to make sure she's up for it or so as not to arrive during tests, procedures, consultations, etc.

Seattle

Oh Captain My...

“With educated people, I suppose, punctuation is a matter of rule; with me it is a matter of feeling. But I must say I have a great respect for the semi-colon; it's a useful little chap.” 
― Abraham Lincoln