Penny & Irv - May 2010

Dear All;

Kerrin had to go home so we are struggling by ourselves. It was so wonderful to have her here.

We got the results of Irv's procedure in Portland at OHSU. No malignancy found! The abnormal area biopsied showed a proliferation of cells called "plasma cells." Plus elevated IgG. Those suggest an autoimmune process, meaning Irv's own body is turning on itself in a bad way. So, we are being sent to ANOTHER doctor, a gastroenterologist, to explore this possibility. Meanwhile, he experienced extreme pain and a fever of 101.8º F last night. His doctor sent us to the Emergency Room. They did an ultrasound of the abdomen, gave him fluids and IV antibiotics and lab tests. They found he had an acute pancreatitis. He was almost admitted to the hospital to continue the antibiotics and fluids, but his fever went down quite a bit and his pain diminished (well, why wouldn't it, as he had been given IV pain medicine!) so he was sent home. We got home at 0400 am and had to be back at his doctor's office at 8:30 am. He had more lab work done and another examination, plus more antibiotics. He is "okay" for now.

So, yes, 3 days after a mastectomy I'm driving Irv 84 miles round trip in the middle of the night! And then again this morning after hardly any sleep. Will this nightmare ever end?

Meanwhile, my doctor called with pathology results of the tumor taken with the breast on Thursday. It was exactly the same pathologically as the previous tumor 10 years ago, making them think it could be a recurrence of the prior cancer and not a new one. It was a smaller tumor at 1.4 cm vs. 2.2 cm for the previous one. That is really good. I see the oncologist on Thursday to begin the next phase. Meanwhile, I have two drainage tubes that have to be emptied a few times a day and the quantity of drainage measured. The volume has to be below 20 cc total each day for two days before they can be removed. I'm producing much more than that still. The doctor thought I'd have them for about 2 weeks. They are not uncomfortable so much as just annoying. The pouches attached to the drains make my chest look like an Alien is popping out of it. Sounds lovely, doesn't it? Pain wise I'm having very little and Tylenol keeps it under control when I need it.

That is about it. I'm still sleeping a lot and not doing much else except sitting around and reading or watching a little TV or I play a couple of word type computer games. Irv is reading, watching TV, resting or sleeping. You would think we were in our dotage, not early retirees. What kind of crap is that anyway?

Love to you all and thanks again a million times for all the support we have received.

Penny