Post by SFX on Mar 3, 2011 15:15:10 GMT -4
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Friends -
I've added some new friends and email addresses to this list, partly because of the considerable sentiment and support that's coming our way on Facebook. Thank you for that - it's all been comforting, encouraging and appreciated.
Couldn't help but spread yesterday's good news on Facebook first (besides calling family): Frank got the thumbs-up for surgery, for real. It will be scheduled for Portland as soon after March 25 that the doctor can do it. Meanwhile, we hope to enjoy 25 or so days of "normal" here. There will be a quick trip to Portland in a few weeks to see the doc before surgery, and a follow-up with the oncologist-doc in Brewer on March 16, but we are otherwise home and happy.
Oh, are we happy! Only a small percentage of pancreatic cancer patients get to have the life-saving surgery, the Whipple. We went through the chemo and radiation for six weeks to bring Frank to this point. But during our overnight at Maine Medical Center last week, we got stuck on a delay and an emotional scare (although Frank was more resolute than me). One of the gastro docs on Thursday thought Frank's liver showed abnormal bits -- but the pathologists on Monday confirmed that all was benign.
There was a brief delay in getting our good news, however. Back on Dec. 1, during Frank's first stay at Maine Medical, I had asked the surgery doctor how many cases of pancreatic cancer she saw in a year. (Dr. Rutstein is the only one in Maine who performs the Whipple, I believe). She said - about four or five new cases of pancreatic cancer surface each week at Maine Medical.
Well, we didn't hear Frank's good news until Tuesday morning's phone call. That was because, we learned, that five new cases of pancreatic cancer were determined on Monday alone. Whew. That's five new heartbreaks for Maine families.
So, Frank and I go forward, reinforced in the last 24 hours by knowing just how fortunate we are. We could not have reached this point alone, without all of your prayers and community support. We are so appreciative of everything.
with love and gratitude,
Katherine and Frank