And so we are waiting again

Well, we are on our third day in NOLA and we have a bit more information but still not much direction.  After the physical exam in the ER, Dr Boudreaux said that I had an obviously distended small bowel and this was actually quite tame compared to days previous.  He also had some x-rays done that showed a distended colon along with the significant amount of gas I can feel and hear.

Yesterday, I had a lower gastrointestinal series (google it if you are REALLY interested) and I now have a new number one procedure that I never want to have again.  Getting an NG tube inserted while conscious was my old number one but this one blew it out of the water.  The resident came by this morning and said that, from the scans and reports of the lower GI series, it, again, looks like there is an obstruction around the recto-sigmoid junction.  This is right where some tumors were left behind after my last surgery and these are pressing on the junction as well as on the bladder.

At the time of my last surgery, they left these behind because they were considering the multi-viceral transplant for me and did not want to make the transplant more difficult.  However, the metastases I have on the peritoneum and diaphram are preventing the option of a multi-viceral transplant and the tumors are likely causing an obstruction that is preventing nutrition now.  Dr. Boudreaux proposed 6 weeks ago that we could attack those tumors with the nanoknife and I imagine that is what is going to happen soon.

Unfortunately, we don't know what soon is.  We do know that Dr. Boudreaux has surgery this morning and that he also moved all his Friday clinic patents to this afternoon.  Other than that, we know nothing.  It is possible he moved the clinic patients to free up tomorrow for surgery or he could be going out of town this weekend and that is why he is clearing up Friday.  Surgery could be next week, it could be some other time; we just don't know.  I do know surgery almost certainly isn't today since I have eaten some breakfast (full liquid diet).

We did get some questions answered yesterday:  The nano knife is still approved and available here.  They have seen multiple instances of carcinoid crisis during surgery but chest compressions are actually easier when he can just place his hand against the diaphram and the heart.  He also said he could just grab a chisel and crack the sternum and perform direct compressions of the heart but that would definitely put an end to this ski season...  On the other hand, I would have a scar from groin to neck and that would be somewhat entertaining!

We do have a room at the Hope Lodge through the 20th of November and can easily extend it if necessary (not a lot of traffic there over Thanksgiving...).  We also want to thank everyone that is helping out with meals and caring of the kids.  It is wonderful to have such good friends and family to support us through these times.