We're home!

Enjoying the sunshine and freedom of outdoors!
6/21/07

Me watching him walk off on his own... (not hovering!)

Parting ways in Bulls Gap with my brother, Mike, and his cushy ride!
"Thank you, Little B" for meeting us in Chambersburg, Pa.

See more photos here:

Photos - Final days in Philly

Click on "slideshow" at top right of screen

or click on any thumbnail photo to enlarge.

We did finally make it back home today. Such a relief!

We are so thankful for a safe trip back home. We were so warmly greeted by family and a stack of mail that included several cards.

The most surprising, I guess, was one signed by a lot of Dollywood employees. Earl is a member of the "Dollywood Pin Club" and has become friends with Henry the "Pin Man". It was so nice of Henry to send the card with so many good wishes and signatures from Dollywood employees, who do not even know who Earl is. So many people are praying for Earl! The magnitude of all the prayers and concern for Earl is so humbling for both of us.

As we traveled back down I-81 today I saw a sign near Abingdon, Va. that said "Knoxville 128 miles". I was so tired.... thoughts of "we're almost back in Tennessee" and "Thank you, Lord, for a safe trip" hit me..... next thing I know... I'm crying like a baby! I must have bawled for 15 miles or more. I was in my car alone, following the motor home. So, I just had a good cry. Thankful for that big box of Puffs!

This was the first time I had cried about any of this. I've been so determined to be "strong" for Earl and have managed to get thru the past 3-4 months without breaking down. I guess I have needed to do this! My "how do you spell relief" moment!?

Now, we get a grip and tackle the next phase. Earl's treatments, chemo and radiation, will begin near the end of July. He will certainly need the month of July to regain his strength and some of his weight. He is so weak. He can climb a few steps, but only when he has something to hold on to to help pull himself up. There were seven steps down/up to the apartment and four steps into the motor home. It seemed just about all he could do to manage them. But, he did!

We forgot to take his cane, from his hip replacement days, and had to buy another one in Philly. It sure helps in his walks when he has wobbly moments. I have tried so hard not to "hover" and let him do for himself when he can. He comes so close to falling.... I'm a nervous wreck about the possibility of him falling and breaking something!

He has been so good, from the day after surgery, to walk several times each day as instructed. It may be at a snail's pace, but he's moving and determined to get stronger every day! His attitude is always so positive, too. If attitude has anything to do with his survival.... he WILL beat this!

We also know that it's going to take the prayers, love and support of our families, friends, church family and even the strangers we do not know. This means so much to us and is so very important and appreciated every waking moment!

Words cannot begin to convey how loved we feel! THANK YOU everyone!

THANK YOU, LORD, FOR BRINGING US THIS FAR!

We still have such a long way to go!
Lillian

At last! Home tomorrow!

We're spending the night in Wytheville, VA.

We really don't know how we would have made the trip if Mike and C. A. had not come up in their motor home. It has made a world of difference in getting Earl home and allowing him to sleep and rest on the road.

We left on June 2nd and returning 21 days later. Total of 14 days in hospital.

We're only about 3 hr 30 min from home. We'll be home tomorrow!

We're on the road again!

We were supposed to call Dr. Watson on Friday to discuss heading home. About 3 p.m. Thursday Earl had had about all he could stand of the apartment, the twin bed, the couch and the recliner!

Every time I woke up Wed. night he was in a different place. He was playing musical beds.... he'd be in the bed, then the couch, then the bed, then the recliner and back to the bed. I don't know how much he actually slept, but he couldn't have rested much. I know I didn't just checking on him.

Since we didn't have an actual appointment on Friday, I suggested he go ahead and call the Dr. and just see what he would say. Earl has been doing fine since getting out of the hosp on Tues. When he discussed this with the Dr. today the Dr. did ask him if he was already half way home and just calling. Earl told him "No, we're just about a block from the hospital". Which we were.... Earl had demanded that I take him away from the apt. so we had driven to a park that is across from the hospital. He walked around some and sat in the sun. He just enjoyed being outside for a little while. We were at the park when Earl called Dr. Watson.

Dr. Watson finally told Earl he could go home. Earl said "Let's go home"! We went back to the apt. and started packing. In about two hours, we had packed up three weeks worth of stuff and loaded it all into the car. We had to take the key to the hosp, gas up the car, get Earl a bite to eat and by 7 p.m. we hit the road.

We made it to Harrisburg, Pa. and stopped for the night. Earl is really tired. Went straight to bed. We'll take it easy in the morning. We are to meet Mike and C. A. (my brother and his wife) in Chambersburg, Pa. mid morning. They are in Gettysburg, Pa. tonight. After we meet them, we'll head on down the road.

We will probably spend another night on the road and get home some time Saturday.

It will be so good to be back home. This has, undoubtedly, been the longest three weeks of our lives!

Earl out of the Hospital

Earl was released from Fox Chase yesterday, June 19th, to go back to the apartment with Lillian. He seems to be getting back in the right direction with the stomach issue. He will be seeing Dr. Watson on Friday, June 22nd to make the determination if he will be released to come home. Please keep those prayers flowing, they feel they may be coming down the home stretch back to Tennessee. Home again!! Love to all for your support and prayers.

This post by Pat Carver

Pathology report

Dr Watson came in about 6 p.m. with pathology report.

The tumor was 7 cm or about 3". It was stage 3 which is the typical stage of most of Dr. Watson's patients. Of the 21 lymph nodes removed, seven tested positive. Only 1 in 4 survive 5 yrs. He said Earl's chances are not that good. That Earl could have a recurrence within two years.

Strongly recommended chemo and radiation. These to start after Earl recovers some.... around the end of July.

Dr. is letting Earl out of hosp tomorrow, but wants us to stay around for a couple of days to make sure Earl is ok, before we hit the road. He wants to see Earl on Friday and if everything is ok, we can head for home.

Granted this is not the best news we could have wished for, but the tumor is out and now we do have hope that Earl can be the 1 out of 4 that makes it!

Please continue to pray for us. It's going to be a rough road thru the rest of 2007.

Thank you for all your prayers, emails, comments, and support.... just everything everyone has done .... we appreciate each and every one of you. We would never have made it this far without your help and prayers.

Lillian & Earl


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Here another day!

Earl is making progress. The stomach drain came out Sat. night. He was on liquids Sunday. Regular meals today. He got unhooked from IV this morning. No IV pole tagging along on his walks! He does still have the IV in his hand, but they only use it when they need to give him antibiotics or other meds. He's hooked up right now for about an hour to get the antibiotic.

Now, we hope his stomach will get the hang of what it's supposed to be doing and we'll get to come home.

Earl said someone told him this morning there would probably be no need for him to see Dr. Watson on Wed, since he's been here for last week. So we may get to head toward TN on Wed, if he gets out tomorrow.

I haven't mentioned it to Earl, but I have wondered if Dr will want to see Earl in another week. That was the plan when he got out of hosp last time. He absolutely will not be happy with that. He wants to GO HOME NOW! We should find out tomorrow morning when we'll be traveling.

We're meeting my brother, Mike, in the Lancaster, PA area so Earl can travel back in his motor home. Should be a lot easier on Earl.

Lillian

Wonderful caretakers at FCCC

Earl was very blessed to have such wonderful ladies to take care of him and help make his stays at Fox Chase as comfortable as possible. Thank you for all your smiling faces and words of encouragement during his recovery. All of you have helped make our stay here very pleasant.

Though we will be glad to get back to Tennessee, we will long remember each of you. Thank you for everything!

I know there are others that were not working at the time of these photos and hope to get pictures of them tomorrow. These two photos are both night shifts.

Someone let me know, if I misspelled names or have names in wrong order.

Lillian Lancaster

3rd North Nursing Staff (first stay 6/3-6/11)
Fox Chase Cancer Center
Philadelphia, Pa.
(L-R) Marilyn, Laura, Glenda, Donna, Dara, Sarah

3rd South Nursing Staff (second stay 6/13-6/19)
Fox Chase Cancer Center

Philadelphia, Pa.
In front (L-R): Eileen & Selina
In Back (L-R): Allie, Stephanie, Maria, Melissa, Earl,
Sheila, Niccole, Jennifer, Sue

My Aunt diagnosed with Lymphoma

Sisters, Lillian and Ruby
January 2005
Now 87 & 90 years old

Yesterday, I traveled up to Schnecksville, Pa. (near Allentown) to see my Mother's sister, Lillian (87 yrs old), for whom I was named. She learned this week that she has lymphoma cancer. The glands on the right side of her neck are swollen. She will be undergoing further tests, we assume checking to see the extent of the cancer.

Copied from About.com:
There are two main types of lymphoma: Hodgkin's lymphoma and non Hodgkin's lymphoma. While both types of cancer develop in the same way, the single factor that distinguishes the two is a single type of cell - the Reed Sternberg cell. This cancerous cell type is found only in Hodgkin's Lymphoma and can be distinguished from other types of Lymphoma by the way it appears under a microscope.

Furthermore, Hodgkin's lymphoma and non Hodgkin's lymphoma grow and spread in different ways. If a lymphoma diagnosis is made and does not contain the Reed-Sternberg variant, the cancer can then only be Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Also called Hodgkin's disease, Hodgkin's lymphoma is cancer of the lymph tissue found in the lymph nodes, spleen, liver, and bone marrow.

Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Non Hodgkin's Lymphoma covers a far more broad range of cancer cells. There are about 30 different types of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. These types of lymphoma can be difficult to diagnose as there are so many types.

Tubeless again! (Happy Father's Day!)

The stomach drain came out last night around 7 p.m. after being on a six hour schedule all day. The drain was off for six hrs. then turned on to see what came out. No intake of liquids or food since Wed. night admission.

He got first tray of full liquids at noon today. Instructed to sip, not try to drink everything in sight. Save some for another hour. Not overdo! Small meals several times a day. He even got ORANGE jello! Not his favorite, but sure reminded him of home & UT. There is also a rope-like thing holding the room door open. It's orange/white!

This morning the Surgical Fellow told Earl he might be released Monday a.m. Earl is READY to get out. The nursing staff have all been wonderful, but he has had enough of the bed and chair!

Earl was weighed Friday @ 170 lbs. Before all this started he was 220, so he has now lost 50 lbs. since end of March. He had lost about 35 lbs before coming up here. So, he's lost another 15 lbs since surgery on June 4th. He does not, however, recommend this method of weight loss!

Our prayers now are that he will be discharged tomorrow and is going to be able to work his way back up to eating normal meals without further problems.

Happy Father's Day to all you Dads out there.

Lillian

Not getting out today

The assistant Dr. told Earl this a.m. that he won't be getting out today. The tube may come out this evening or in the morning. I would think they'll then start feeding him again to see what happens. This could take another day or so.

They call these young doctors "Surgical Fellows" (male or female).

Anyway.... Earl may not get out until Sat. or Sun.... we don't really know. His Dr. should be in some time today with more info.

Then, we'll just have to hope his stomach continues to work right. He's getting antsy to head home! Or, at least, out of here and back to the apt.

Earl's Mother fell early yesterday morning about 7:30 a.m. My Mother was the only other person there (in basement apt). Dad had already left to do a couple of odd jobs. She was able to call out for help and Mother heard her on the baby monitor we had hooked up before we left. Otherwise, she could have been in the floor for a while. Mother called 911. Public assist calls are referred to the Rescue Squad. Our daughter, Liana, was pulling time at squad, so she and three guys rolled to help her up. (Two of them were "green shirts".... high school kids in training). His Mother didn't break anything, so we've been told, but her shoulder is sore, where she landed on it.

Hospital room & phone number

Earl is in room (deleted) this time. His phone number is 215-(deleted)

Earl update 6/14/07

Good morning everyone,

First.... thank you to my sister for last night's post. We have no Internet access at the apt, so have not checked the blog or email since Monday a.m.

Earl got a real good chuckle out of the comments left about the "cheesecake" photo. Thanks for taking time to leave the comments.

Doctor told Earl this morning that his stomach is just being a bit sluggish about emptying like it should. It's being stubborn (like Earl?).... one nurse said "like a mule". We've been told that what is happening has nothing to do with what he ate or what he did or didn't do. Early release made no difference. It might have happened even if he were still in the hospital. So, I guess we don't need to second guess about "why".

While in hosp last week, Earl was getting one medication via IV that helped make his stomach work/empty. He may be sent home with pill form of that this time. Did not have that after release on Monday.

Doctor said they would keep the tube in today and may let him out tomorrow (Friday). This is just a temporary set-back!

Thank you for the continued prayers.

Lillian

Earl (setback) Re-admitted to Hospital in PA

Earl had to be put back in Fox Chase today. He started having problems with his stomach. Vomiting several times today, so Lillian called and they had her bring Earl back to the hospital. They have re-admitted him and re-inserted the nose tube to drain his stomach again.

X-ray did reveal he did not have any blockage and it was not caused by foods he had eaten. It seems, from what they have told them, that what is happening is something that is quite typical following the Whipple procedure he had done. They are saying basically, his stomach still has not woke up completely and is not emptying like it should. Will take more time to get it back in order. He's not allowed any fluids as long as the tube is in his stomach.

Don't know how long he may have to stay this time, but hopefully will not be too long. As fast as he's been recovering, hopefully this will be a fast fix-it. Please keep Earl in your prayers, they have definitely been a life saver. I want thank you for all the support and prayers that help keep Lillian and Earl going forward. Earl has been doing so good, so any setback is definitely dis-heartening, but faith and support helps to put things back in the right perspective.

This post by Pat Carver

A short walk outside... photos 6/10/07

I took Earl down to first floor and outside to a small water fountain. This was his first excursion off his floor since being admitted a week ago today. Here are three photos taken today.

More photos on my Fotki site: Earl hospital photos 6/10/07

Watching pro cycling on TV

A little cheesecake?

Resting beside fountain before return trip to his room.

.
.

All tubes, drains, IVs out

Earl is setting all kinds of records. The way the doctors and nurses talk, they've never seen anyone recover as quickly as Earl has. The doctor this morning told Earl he was more like a hernia patient than a Whipple patient.

The surgical drain and last IV came out this morning. The doctor who came in today told him that if we lived 10 minutes away he would let Earl go home, but he thought Dr. Watson would want to see him before Earl leaves. So, it looks like Earl will be released tomorrow, Monday, 6/11/07. That's just seven days!

Dr. Watson just left. Says Earl is doing great, but there's no big rush to get him out of here today. They'll check Earl's blood sugar tomorrow and may recommend a diet geared for borderline diabetics. Dr. said it is very unusual for anyone (5% do) to suddenly be diabetic after losing only 25 of their pancreas. It is obvious Earl's pancreas is making insulin, otherwise his blood sugar would be 500. It's been ranging 110 to high 170s. More than likely, Earl might have been borderline before he came up here. Other than being careful with sugars, fats are the only thing the Dr. recommended Earl avoid.

Earl will be on two medications for about a month. One is to make the stomach empty and the other is for nausea. Dr. had mentioned, before surgery, taking an antacid for about a year. Guess that will still be recommended.

Now, as for returning to Tennessee. Dr. Watson has made an appointment for Earl to see him a week from Wed. He only sees patients on Wed. and Thurs, so that's as soon as he can see Earl. After that, assuming everything is still okay, we'll be free to GO HOME!

Dr. appt is on 20th.... don't know time yet. If we leave on 21st, we should be back home on the 22nd. or 23rd. Earl isn't real happy about having to hang around up here, but he does want to go see the King Tut exhibit. So, we'll get him a couple of good books to read and he'll have no excuse not to rest for another 10 days!

Earl is dressed in his clothes today. Just took off down the hall. I'll catch up and we're going to try the stairs!

God is so good! He is the only answer for Earl's rapid recovery! We are so thankful!

Getting regular meal tray tonight

Earl had been told he would get regular meals starting Sunday. Now, he's been told he will get one tonight. So far, he is doing ok with the liquids.

Already had a BM this morning. Not sure how he managed that. He's had nothing but liquids since he was cleaned out before surgery. Guess it doesn't matter. Just glad he's beginning for function.

The Doctors said.....

Earl said earlier he wasn't trying to set records..... but, two doctors have been in during the last half hour. Both told him that he will get full liquids Saturday. If he tolerates them well, he'll get full meals on Sunday. IF... he does well with the meals, he may get discharged to the apt. on Monday. That would tie the current eight day record!

Doctor Watson did say not to worry about things, if it takes a couple of more days before Earl is ready to leave. Both doctors said that sometimes the stomach just does not start emptying like it should and could take a little longer to wake up. Otherwise, both told him he is doing fine.

Pathology has not come back. Probably be Monday before results come in.

Praise the Lord! God is so good!

Food at last!

Earl has had no intake at all since early Sunday morning. (Five full days) They had brought a cup of apple juice some time this morning before I got here. He had been sipping on it for a while.

He got a lunch tray with clear liquids. He sipped on the broth... looked like chicken broth. Very cautious, guess he's afraid to overdo. Couple of sips of the cranberry juice. Did not try the lemonade. He ate the small cup of "ice milk" or whatever it was. He said it didn't really taste like ice cream.

Pics of Earl look better than he really feels. He still needs help getting in and out of bed. Can't manage lifting his legs. Once he is upright he can stand and move to/from the chair. Is able to stand up from the chair. He is walking the halls with his pole and tubes. Still getting insulin shots a couple of times per day, depending on sugar count.

The IV may go this afternoon. The catheter may come out around 9 p.m. tonight. That will just leave the epidural and the surgical drain in his side. Once he gets unhooked from everything, PT will start him on the steps.

His mind is not clear enough to think about dealing with work questions. At least, anything that requires much thought. It will take him a little while to recover from five hours of surgery.

Overall, he thinks he's doing pretty good. Not trying to set a discharge record (8 days), but hopes to be out of here by the 12 day average, which would be a week from today.

I brought the big card from the church back yesterday for Earl to read again. I knew he didn't really have time to read it all before they took him to surgery. He is so touched by all the good wishes and notes of prayers. Thank you to everyone who signed it and to all those who were in line to sign it. My Dad, Sam Trentham, said there were lots of folks waiting to sign it when Bro. Glenn had to leave to get to the airport. We love all of you.

Nurse just came in (3 p.m.) and said when Earl wakes up from his nap she will take out his epidural.

The tube is out!!

Link at bottom to more photos

Earl sitting in chair with his "hug me" pillow.
After the tube came out and he blew his nose for several minutes!
Feeling much better!

Right before the tube was to be taken out. 6/7/07

This was taken not long after check-in on 6/3/07.

Red letter day! The nose tube came out around 2:30 p.m. today! Maybe his sore throat will start getting better. He got up and shaved for the first time this morning, so he looked much better when I got here.

Dr. orders that he walk five times today. He is to start trying stairs when he gets unhooked from the IVs. If they're talking about this, maybe he will be getting rid of some of the bags soon.

They put in a new IV in his right hand this morning. As soon as the bag attached to the old site empties, they will transfer to the new site and remove the IV from his left hand. That arm has been swollen for last couple of days.

His fever is gone today. He looks like he feels better. Says he's feeling better, too. Getting that tube out of his nose will work wonders.

Dr. Glenn Cummings

Pastor of Madison Avenue Baptist Church for 10 years.

We are still amazed that our Pastor came up.
Thank you, again, Bro. Glenn.

Link below will show you more photos. Some taken on 4/25/07 and a few from this week. More Philly photos
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Earl.... 6/6/07 p.m.

Earl is doing as well as could be expected. His surgeon seems to think he is doing well and right on target with his progress so far. "Text book" he said today.

They are keeping close watch on his blood counts. Gave him potassium and magnesium today. He got insulin shots Monday and Tues evenings. Sugar is 168.... tested this minute. Don't know if he'll get more insulin. Guess we'll find out shortly. It was 190+ last night.

Earl's days for now consist of sitting in chair, nap, walking up/down the halls. He's getting pretty good at that already. Sitting in chair, nap, more walking. He wanted to shave today, but hasn't got that done yet. Maybe tomorrow. He's still pushing that pain pump when he has to move much. Doing his breathing exercise every hour. His throat is very sore from the tube down his throat. He'll be glad to get rid of that on Friday.

I'm not going to continue to bore you with Earl's activities for the next few days. Sitting in the chair and roaming the halls does not make exciting reading!! I'll be back when something monumental happens.... like when some of the tubes, catheter, IVs, etc. are gone. That will make his life a little more bearable!

Please keep up the prayers. Earl still has rough days ahead. He is so very sore. Coughing kills him. His voice is getting worse every day. The tube causes mucus to build up around it and is so hard for him to cough it up. He has been running low grade fever since yesterday afternoon. Hope he doesn't end up with pneumonia.

He just got insulin.... four units. Nurse said it wasn't much.

We've had reports that so many are calling Sandra, Mom and Kay to check on Earl. It means so much to know you care. Thank you one and all for your concern and prayers.

Praise to God that Earl's surgery went well and he is progressing as well as he is.

One day after surgery

Technology is great! Here I sit in Earl's room, updating this blog. Signal is "low" but think it will work ok.

Earl spent the night in ICU. Didn't get much sleep. Lot of commotion in the cubicle next to him. They were also checking on him thru the night. When the nurse called me around 8 a.m. they had him up sitting in a chair. Had helped him walk about 10 feet and back to the chair.

By the time I got to hosp around noon (visiting hrs 11 - 8 daily) they had moved him to a room. The phone number to him is 215-(deleted). Address should be (deleted).
He just got back into bed after sitting in a chair for over two hours. Had to have some help, but did ok.

Overall, I was glad to see him sitting up in the chair when I came in. He looks better than I expected. He still has the epidural and the pain button. Will have the tube in his nose to drain and deflate his stomach until Thursday or Friday. No liquids/food by mouth until the tube is out. Sponge on a stick to moisten mouth with water when needed.

He has been playing with the Solitaire game I brought this morning. Already beat Sol. Asked me to bring a couple of Smithsonian magazines from the car for him to read later. He's alert and seems to be feeling pretty good as long as he doesn't have to cough and move much.

After a short nap, he's been up and walked to the door of his room and back to sit in a chair again. About 60 ft. round trip! He'll probably be walking the hall in a day or so.

The covering over his incision came off this morning. The staples run from right below the breast bone to right below his navel. Funny.... the incision curves a circle around his navel. He'll have a cute curvy tail at the end of his scar!

He is up to 1000 and 1500 on the breathing gizmo. Don't know if that's good or not. I don't know what I could do....

Dr. Watson was just in and basically went over with Earl what he had told me yesterday. The medication he will be on for about a year is an antacid. There is something else he'll take for about a month, but neither of us can remember what that was! Guess we're going to have to start taking notes!!

Dr W said they have done six Whipples here already this week. Busy place! I found out yesterday, from reading some of the displays, that this was the very first cancer hospital. Started back in 1904, they been fighting cancer for over 100 years.

As Pat reported yesterday, it was a grand surprise to have Brother Cummings here with us. Such a blessing! I enjoyed our conversations while Earl was in surgery. It sure helped pass the time. "Thank you" Brother Glenn for taking the time, during your busy schedule, to make the trip. Thanks also, to the church for supporting him and allowing him to come. A special "thank you" to all who contributed to the financial gift Bro. Glenn brought to us. We love you and appreciate, so much, what you have done for us. We are so touched by your generosity and the love we feel from all of you. (Here I am.... crying again!) Thank you so much! We have such a wonderful church family, Sunday School Class and Pastor.

I also have a wonderful ETHRA family. I thank all of you for your love and support during this very difficult time. It's great to know you are all there praying and cheering us on.

We are so thankful, first to God who has been so good to us, and to everyone, everywhere, who have been praying for Earl and me. We know he has been on prayer lists all over the country. We can't forget Earl's clients either. You have been so generous with your prayers and patience in allowing extensions. Earl is already talking about getting back home and getting back to work!

Last, but dearest, is our families. We love you and appreciate your willingness to help with just anything that needs to be done. We love each and every one of you so very much. Just knowing you are there, if we need you, is such a comfort.

If I've forgotten to thank anyone, I apologize. Just know that we do appreciate what everyone has done. It is so humbling to really learn how much everyone cares.

And the news, yesterday, that Thomas Bright does not have cancer again is the most wonderful news to receive on the stressful day of Earl's surgery. He has been thru a very difficult month of tests and procedures. At least, we can stop worrying about that! (Thomas is married to my sister's daughter, Stacie. He has had three rounds of melanoma. It's been four years since his last surgery. Craig Carlson married them at MABC.)

I'm sorry I have rattled on so long with all this. I just have so much to be thankful for and probably not saying it very well. So, I'm going to hush for now and go look for something to eat. I missed lunch today!

With love and gratitude,
Lillian Trentham Lancaster

Update - Earl's Surgery - Fox Chase in PA

HURRAH!!! Earl came through surgery with flying colors. Only took 5 hours instead of the expected 6-8 hrs. According to doctor, he's doing very well, will be kept in ICU tonight and maybe thru tomorrow. Did not have to remove any of the stomach. The TUMOR IS COMPLETELY OUT!!! He will have a tube down his nose until Friday, then he may be put on liquids only. He has a drain tube also, but doctor says when Earl goes home, he will have no tubes. He will have to be taught to eat all over again, kind of like a child. He will be on pills and medications for about a year and then taken completely off. He will probably have chemo and some radiation, this is expected due to the aggressvie kind of cancer. But things went amazingly well and we hope for the best.

Great suprise and gift, Reverend Cummings came in this morning, early, and has been with them all day. This was a great joy for the family due to the fact Lillian & Earl were having to go through this day by themselves. Their immediate family could not be there, so Rev. Cummings was a blessing beyond our expectations. The gifts and prayers from our church families, Lil's ETHRA families and all our family and friends have helped beyond any doubt to get us to where we are. We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts. Keep those prayers coming!

This is a short update, but wanted all to know Earl's doing great at this time.

This post by Lil's sister, Pat Carver

Arrived in Philly

We arrived at the hotel in Philly about 1 a.m. Sunday. We got to the North side of Washington right about dark. We realized, after looking at a map at the rest area, that we were only about 120 miles from Philly. Earl decided he would rather go on and not have to roll out so early Sunday morning.

When we get up in the morning, all we'll have to do is pack up, get him a "light" breakfast and be at the hospital by 10:30 a.m. to check in. Then, after I get him settled, I'll be off to find the apt and unload the car "again". Guess we should have packed a small bag of essentials for tonight, so we wouldn't have to unload all our bags. As is said.... hind site is 20-20! We've kept the luggage cart in our room, so we won't have to waste time hunting for one in the morning. They'll never know where it is tonight!

We're thankful for the safe trip. I thought drivers at home were wild and crazy. Hopping lanes and cutting in front of people must be required up here! Everyone drives about 20 miles over the limit. I drove all the way and it was move on or get run over. It felt like I had competed in the Indy 500 by the time we got here!!

Now, I AM READY for some sack time!
Lillian

Of all things..................

When I came in from work this afternoon, Earl said he was chilling. I felt of him. He was HOT! Took his temp..... it was 102.2 or 102.4 Immediately gave him some Tylenol. It's now 8:45 and he seems somewhat cooler. Will give more meds around 9:30. If he is still running fever in the morning...... he says he was instructed to call the hospital if he gets sick.

This is all we need. We've fought so hard to get to this point! The surgeon only operates on Monday and Tuesdays. No telling how long it will delay surgery, if he can't go tomorrow.

Pray, pray, pray..... he needs to be better in the morning!

More good news.... some not so good

We got comfirmation today that we are getting one of the apts. about three blocks from the hospital. It's not free, but less than hotel/motel.

Found out we have to be in admitting by 10:30-10:45 Sunday a.m. instead of some time in the afternoon. So, we'll have to move out earlier and travel longer Saturday in order to get on in the Philly on time.

Earl was told today that the surgery will last 6-8 hours. After he is admitted Sunday, he will be hooked up to IV and they will begin process to clean him out. I'm sure he is looking forward to that!!

This Vanderbilt University link tells more detail of what life may be like for Earl in the weeks/months following surgery.
Home care instructions.

Thank you again for all the prayers. They sure have been working. Everything is falling into place and this seems meant to be. Please keep up the prayers. He is going to need them for a long time. Me, too!

My love and gratitude to everyone.
Lillian