Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Post-surgery Update

Friend Lisa here.  First, the update on William.

Here is the text I got from Julie earlier:

Done. 85% of everything removed. Surgeon had choice expletives** for how she felt about the tumor! She's awesome and we love her honesty. Surgery was rough and she had to make some tough calls at times, but felt she was as aggressive as she could be and keep him alive. Bleeding was a major issue and he was treated as a trauma patient several times. He got 12 adult sized blood units (3x more than anticipated and more than twice his body's volume). The smaller tumors were just mush and she scooped out as much as possible. His original horizontal scar was reopened and an additional vertical one was made from sternum down to the base of his abdomen. He is on a ventilator and will be heavily sedated be for a few days. We are relieved and grateful that so much was debulked. She took a picture for me and it's impressive. I'll have to think about posting on the blog because it's a nasty looking
bugger. Perhaps just let me know if you want to see it and I'll shoot you an email.

I can't wait to see the photos!  I just got off the phone with Julie.  She and Ryan are with William in his room.  As we talked, she was eating fries from Jack's Urban Eats and telling me about the wonderful lunch they had at the French restaurant near the hospital.  I am glad they are taking care of themselves today.  Julie's mom flew in last night and I got to talk with her and Julie until far too late in the night.  She is so wonderful and I know it helps Ryan and Julie knowing that the boys are in such loving hands. 

Thank you all for your blog comments, Facebook comments, and your thoughts and prayers; they mean so much to Julie and Ryan. 

**And Julie told me which expletives were used by Will's surgeon and I can verify they were all  appropriately used.

7 comments:

  1. We're grateful for the update and continue to think of you and pray for all of you throughout the day.

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  2. Wow...so much to process. I can't even imagine how you must all be feeling. But I am THRILLED for such a wonderful, inspired surgeon such as the one William had!! (And I love a surgeon that can use expletives in appropriate ways...and these tumors definitely seemed appropriate, lol!) That is a HUGE amount to remove/debulk...so I take that as terrific news! Know the recovery will not be easy, so praying for tender mercies and good pain meds. (Bring on the dilaudid!!) I would love to see the pics myself. (I did take all my pre-reqs to get into the RN program and am trying to get back in to finish. So medically, I'm very interested.) My email: JStoeckert@gmail.com

    SO glad your Mom is there, Julie! Please know you are all so loved and the prayers will not stop now...they will continue for a full recovery!! Hugs! P.S. Thank you Lisa for the update! You are an awesome friend! :)

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  3. Thank you Lisa for the update. Every time I woke up during the night, William was on my mind and I said a little prayer. So glad the surgeon could take out a significant chunk. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with you all. Lots of love... Suzanne (& Co.)

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  4. Thank you so much for the update. William is in our every prayer....love you guys!!!

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  5. Thank you so much for the update! Praying that he recovers from the surgery quickly.

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  6. I'm so glad to hear that the surgery went well and am so grateful for the blog updates. I will continue to keep William and your family in my thoughts and prayers...

    Nicole De Vous
    William's Music Teacher

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  7. loves to William and you all--thanks for the update!!

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