Liver Biopsy Scheduled

After a day and half on the phone between Kaiser and Piedmont, we were able to finally expedite Deb's Liver Biopsy from August 5th to Wednesday (07/30) morning at 730am, Piedmont Hospital (1968 Peacthree Street, Atlanta)

The test was ordered by Gastroenterologist, Dr. Rodney Harris from the Jonesboro facility.


Updated 07/30: Radiologist Dr. Liou performed the biopsy with Lori Little, PAC (physician assistant certified). The test began at approximately 1030am and took less than hour between prep and actual biopsy. Recovery is a 4 hour bed rest to be sure Deb's liver shows no elevated internal bleeding from the puncture necessary to take the tissue samples. Dr. Liou will do high level view of the cells via microscope to be sure that he received enough samples for full lab test. From the lab, they will run a standard sub set of over a total 1000 tests possible on the tissue for full diagnosis.

Biopsy went normal as scheduled with no complications and Deb is resting fine. After the biopsy, we talked with the Dr. Liou who completed Deb’s liver biopsy around 1130am.. Based on what he has seen so far, he feels the cancerous cells originated in the pancreas and are neuroendocrine type tumors. Where any news of cancer cells in your body is not positive news, it is good news to have cancerous cells that are neuroendocrine type since he indicated they respond quite well to treatment. Although not much but this little bit of good news has brought a much needed smile to Deb.

More information here on neuroendocrine type tumours

Upon completion of the liver biopsy, the Radiologist will send the test results to Dr. Rodney Harris who will schedule a review/follow up with us. Because he is in Jonesboro which is way south of Atlanta, we may try to reschedule to a Gastroenterologist closer to our area.

Most likely and hopefully shortly after meeting with the Gastroenterologist, there will be an immediate follow up with a Oncologist to discuss the origin of lesions and what Deb's treatment options will be. In fact, Deb is already proactively contacting Oncologists from list that Susan provided.

What you learn real quick .........
Not that we are not totally grateful in every way imaginable for Deb's great care but never be afraid to pick up the phone and help assist these medical facilities with the nightmare of scheduling for tests between different networks. Otherwise, you can be just like another email sitting in somebody's inbox waiting for response.

Thank you Nika. You have a hug coming from me tomorrow morning!
Update 07/30: Hug completed :)

KTS!

Rod and Deb

You Got to Know It!

Thank you Connie for finding time in your hectic birmingham schedule to spend the weekend with us. You are such a true gift to us with all of your love, knowledge, and spiritual guidance. Your personal Connie suite where you can unwind and get some much deserved R&R will always be waiting your next visit. It was by coincidence that when we took Connie right up the street to the Unity North church today, Edwene Gaines, a world renown spiritual speaker and writer was the guest speaker. Connie very excitingly told us she also is from Birmingham and has been keeping up with her books and lecturers for over the last 25 years. After church, Connie was also able to talk to Edwene and explain why she was here this weekend with her niece Deb. After explaining Deb's condition, one of things that touched us that Edwene told Connie was that Deb "will heal just find and remember always" (while pointing at Connie...) "you just got to know it"!

p.s. Wayne that was nice of you to give that wonderful woman Connie your sweet, new Cadi for keepsies. Looks great on her :)


Susan you are awesome as always and just let me know when you want to move in! Thank you for the great information update from Lisa. Seeing you and Pippy was the perfect way to end the weekend.

Next Steps
Unfortunately, we did not get confirmation last Friday on date/time for Deb's last test for now which is the Liver Biopsy to remove tissue and determine the origin of the cancer cells. We should have the date/time first thing Monday morning and will be shooting for early as Tuesday. We were able to get alot more advice from Lisa in Washington thru Susan and pending outcome of this test, our goal will be to have a game plan in place before end of this week.

As always, thank you for all your love and prayers.

Keeping the strength!

Rod and Deb














Teddy.
Deb's lap dog and personal energy healer.

Deb's Survival Kit

We were overwhelmed with support visit yesterday evening from Susan and some of our dearest friends.

Deb's sister Susan brought over the "Deb Survival Kit" which I just have to say the binder was one of coolest that I had to take a pic of it. Susan said her dear friend Sara created this especially for Deb from lessons learned on her previous journey. Thank you Sara, we love this and is a very thoughtful gift that will be of great use to us. It included dividers, pouches, USB stick, and all kinds of great templates to organize the tons of medical papers that you quickly accumulate. Thank you for the books, DVDs, CDs, and other fun stuff (love the truffles) Angel Susan, you are the best sister a sister can have.

Thank you Swansons and Malveas for the dinner and deserts.
Arun, Be sure to catch some waves for me in the mighty Gulf as I have taught you well Grasshopper from when we shredded those mighty hawaiian waves on Oahu. Please pass along my surfing secrets to Ron and David too. See my buddy Tim Carr, owner of Fluid Surf Shop in Fort Walton to set you up with surfboards.

Thank you again for the goodies. Just seeing you all is the best comfort to Deb and us all!

We love you,
Rod and Deb

p.s. If you have not listened to Randy Pausch's "The Last Lecture", see the link to the right. What a true inspirational man!

C'scopy Looks Great!

Deb successfully completed her colonoscopy at 630am this morning with Dr. Hala Toubbeh at the Perimeter Surgery Center. This was scheduled by Dr. Kabir Quadir in Gastroneterology on Wednesday. I am relieved to tell you that she did not find any damage to the Deb's colon/intestinal area which is the first great news we have had.

I could tell that Deb actually felt better after the c'scopy and is already home resting very comfortably in her favorite nest. The whole process only takes less than an hour. It is the day before that is a challenge in that you basically cannot eat anything and only drink clear liquids. It was funny that she was still a peaceful, sleeping beauty when the nurse told me she was ready to go. I didnt want to wake her up but I could tell they needed the beds to bring in some fresh cattle. Her anaesthesiologist who referred to himself as the iranian cocktail doctor must have fixed her a good one! :)

Next Steps
Because there was no damage found from this test, that means the Liver biopsy will definitely be the next test for Deb to take tissue sample. According to Dr. Toubbeh, the cells within the tissue sample should determine source of the lesion masses on her liver. I don't know the date or time yet but we are waiting phone call and guessing that it should be next Monday or Tuesday.

Keeping the strength!

CTScan Results

Quick update on Deb from doctor visit today. Sorry I am learning as I go so bear with me as I attempt to explain from deciphering my notes from meeting with doctor today.

We met with the Gastro Intestinal Specialist, Dr. Kabir Quadir in Jonesboro today and unfortunately he confirmed from CTScan findings with 99% certainty that the lesions are some form of cancer with the largest mass on her liver.

The other lesions are spread out between the liver, kidney, and pancreas areas. He could not yet tell us what type of cancer and where did it originate. In order to determine the origination, Deb will require two more tests.

Next Steps
1) Deb will have a colonoscopy Friday morning, 630am at Perimeter Surgical Center. This will allow them to explore entire intestine in search of any additional lesions, etc… and possibly determine if this is where the cancer originated.

2) Next week most likely on Monday or Tuesday, Deb will have a Liver Biopsy at Piedmont Hospital so they can take tissue samples to perform necessary lab work.

3) We will then have follow up consultation with Oncologist to discuss treatment which most likely will start with Chemotherapy. We are also interested in surgical removal but too early to tell if this will be an option for Deb.

4) Ellen’s sister, Lisa is Doctor in Washington and has been awesome to Deb. She told us to send her all the test results as we get them and including the CTScan images so she can review and share with the doctors up there for additional opinion. She already knows of a surgeon that specializes in removal of tumors, etc.. in the liver, pancreas, kidney areas and just so happens to be in the Kaiser network which is ours too. THANK YOU SO MUCH LISA. YOU’RE AN ANGEL! WE LOVE YOU TOO SUSAN AND ELLEN!.

That is what we know so far and will continue to keep you updated on days to come.

Keeping the Strength and we love you all!

Rod

How life can change in a day

As you know, Deb has been complaining of nausea, fever, minor weight loss and just generally feeling tired all of the time.

The first results today from Deb's testing was good and bad news. I will try and explain briefly in high level so you know what we know so far.

We definitely have uncovered the root cause of the symptons that she has been experiencing in last couple months.

Unfortunately, the initial results from CT scan last Friday is showing sporadic, unknown type of lesion masses mainly on her right liver lobe and also small lesions on pancreas and one of her kidneys. Fortunately, the blood test results were for the most part positive indicating everything is functioning what appears to be normal.

Next Steps
The second test results are scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9am with the Gastro Intestinal Specialists to drill deeper into the CT scan findings and discuss next steps.

Most likely, the next step will be for Deb to immediately schedule biopsy to remove some of the lesion tissues for further lab testing.

I will keep you all posted as I know more from tests tomorrow and days to come. I will be in and out of work so here is my contact information below if you need to get hold of me.

Deb is of course upset but resting well at the house today and I have the boys taking good care of her while I am at work.