We are back home 11-4-23
We arrived back home on November 1st. We are grateful that we were able to get home for Silas's birthday even though they didn't proceed with the liver resection. Unfortunately, his tummy isn't feeling amazing. The incision pain is gone, but it is taking longer for his stomach and bowels to return to normal.
THE PLAN MOVING FORWARD
The plan is to do 3 rounds of FOLFIRI chemo starting on November 13th and then the following two chemo sessions will add Avastin (halts the growth of blood vessels) and then do scans after that to see how the tumor/s are responding to the chemo. The tumor that was sitting right next to the bile duct was also next to the veins that bring in the blood to the left side. Like a tumor sandwich, which made it extremely tricky to remove.
His surgeon had a colleague of his come in and give his opinion and the decision was made to abort the surgery for a few reasons, first, the location of the tumor sandwiched between the bile duct and the veins, second, his platelets were low, and finally, his liver was still adjusting from the PVE and HVE (read back to some September posts for more info).
Someone asked me why they would open him up again if they knew that the tumor was that close to those necessary structures. The reason is that a CT scan is like an overall map of where the tumors are located, but until you put an ultrasound wand ONTO the liver you can't see the delicate and necessary structures and locations.
Zach was discharged from the hospital on Sunday the 29th and we had plans to come home on the 31st in time for Halloween. However, Zach had intense pain on Monday night and we canceled our flight home in the middle of the night to go see his surgeon on Tuesday. His bilirubin level was elevated, which confirmed that his surgeon made the right call in not continuing the liver resection as he would have likely gone into liver failure.
The pain had subsided slightly by 3 a.m. on Tuesday and we got cleared to leave Wednesday as long as there was no more pain Tuesday night. Thankfully his pain was managed well and we flew home.
THANK YOU!
Thank you for sending Silas birthday cards, he felt so very special that you took the time to write him.
We are so grateful for your love, support, and prayers.
Thank you to Zach's parents who step up and watch Silas anytime we ask and are so very generous with their time.
Thank you to Kristie, Molly and Greg, and Tom and Katherine for stepping up to help us two weekends ago.
Thank you to my parents who came up at the end to help.
Thank you to my sister Ashley for sitting with me during Zach's first liver resection and to my brother for sitting with me during the most recent surgery.
Getting bad news while Zach is in surgery is heart-wrenching because it's my job to share that news with those who love him dearly. Then I also had to share it with Zach when he was recovering in the PACU. The emotional fatigue is unlike anything I have experienced. I am grateful for the strength I have mustered and found during these difficult times.
PRAYER
Please continue to pray that we have the courage to accept God's will for our lives and for healing for Zach. Continue to pray for an abundance of peace and joy.