Margaret’s surgery, which began at 2 p.m., was completed at about 8:30 p.m. yesterday. She was in the Recovery Room for about 3 hours before being brought to her room in Northwestern Memorial’s Prentice Women’s Pavilion.
Her surgeon, Dr. John Lurain, reported the following to me:
1) He removed the large tumor in her pelvic area and the organs it was touching “all in one piece”. (That is, he detached her uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and a section of her colon and then lifted out all the organs and the tumor at the same time.) He said he did it this way in order to assure that no pieces of the tumor were left in her body.
2) He removed other tissues in her pelvic area (lymph nodes, a layer of tissue that covers the intestines, and a layer of tissue that surrounds the bladder) that may have been diseased.
3) He visual examined other organs (liver, etc.) and found no evidence of disease in them.
4) He was able to re-connect her colon after removal of the section containing part of the tumor; so she did not need a colostomy (something she was worried about).
5) Margaret’s vital signs were strong throughout the surgery.
6) There is no visible cancer remaining in her body; but there are microscopic cancer cells that will have to be treated with chemotherapy.
7) The surgery achieved all its goals, and the focus now will be on getting Margaret through recovery from it—“This was a big surgery”.
I wasn’t able to talk much with Margaret last night because she couldn’t stay awake (it was, of course, way past her bedtime). She did say “I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck”, and she gave me a thumbs-up sign when I told her she did not have a colostomy. Then she went into a sound sleep.
Because NMH is a teaching hospital and doctors make patient rounds with their students in the morning, visiting hours do not begin until 11 a.m. CDT. So, I will see Margaret about half an hour from now.
Many thanks for your thoughts, prayers, and support. Margaret and I feel very blessed to have friends like you.
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11 comments:
Karl, give Margaret our love and tell her to take all the pain pills they give her this week. No need to suffer. She's in our thougts and prayers.
Love, Mary and Greg
Thank you so very much for the update! You are each very much in our thoughts. Prayers are focused on a speedy and uneventful recovery, as well as a safe trip home.
God speed!
Jim, Miss, Nick, Mickie, Sarah, Jeff, Britt and Matt!
Sending lots of prayers and well wishes to you. We hope for a speedy recovery and can't wait to see you back on East Washington soon for a doggy playdate.
Lots of love - Mary & Reggie Witt
We are so happy that the surgery went well! All of you have been in our prayers. We are wishing Margaret a speedy recovery!
Love, David, Shannon & Ryne Speybroeck
Karl:
I cannot believe you found the time to update all of us this given what you and Margaret are going through. Thank you for thinking of all of us. I have been getting updates from Marcia, too.
Our best wishes for Margaret to have a good recovery from surgery in Chicago and we hope to have you and Margaret back in the Bend soon. You are both in our thoughts and we are sending good wishes your way!
Charlotte Sobel and Jeff Gibney
Our thoughts and prayers are with both of you for Margaret's speedy recovery. Thank you for updating everyone.
Jeff & Jill Burns
Margaret and Karl, we too are glad to hear how well things went. It sounds like your surgeon is incredibly competent. We wish you speedy recovery. You both have our prayers and support.
Martyn and Kathleen Wills
Karl and Margaret;
So glad the surgery went well. Richard and I are thinking of you and have you in our prayers for a speedy recovery. Looking forward to your return home!
stay strong.
Judy and Richard Wein
Dear Karl and Margaret,
Please know how many friends are praying for you, including the Sisters of the Holy Cross at SMC who have you on the top of their prayer list.
Many, many hugs,
Mary Lou and Pete
Mom...It was wonderful to talk to you today. I am so happy that you are on the road to recovery ! Miss you both and look forward to having you back home !
Love,
Emily
How wonderful to hear the good news in the latest update! My prayers and best wishes for a complete and speedy recovery continue. Thank you very much for writing the updates. You have lots of us wishing you the best and looking first for an update whenever we go on e-mail -- and then going to other, less important mail.
Glenn
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