Jan. 22

Since I have had so many people interested in how Gerry is doing, I took a suggestion from a dear friend and decided to write it in a blog to get to as many people as possible. I appreciate ALL your emails, good wishes, etc. but I have so many good friends, it is impossible to respond to every one personally. Please continue to email me and I will respond as time permits.



Here is the chronology of Gerry's latest condition:



On December 17, he had a CT scan to check his abdominal area for any returning cancer. On December 30 we met with his oncologist, Dr. Khan, who informed us that the scan was clear. The next appointment with him would be in three months for a lung x-ray. We REJOICED! All the treatmets and tears of the previous 10 months had paid off. We celebrated the New Year with renewed hope. D. Khan also suggested we try to go without the feeding tube for a couple of weeks to see if he could maintain his weight. The first week went great. With almost constant eating, he only lost 1/2 lb., which was in the ball park. On Monday, Jan. 5, he woke up feeling like he had the flu with pains in his tummy, nausea and fatigue. OK, there was a lot of flu going around at that time. He could not eat much since his appetite was not there. Later in the week, I noticed that he had a yellowish tinge to his skin but I didn't mention it to him. Maybe I was imagining things. That was until HE noticed it too. He was sleeping a lot. On Jan. 10, I was heading to town on icy roads and "accidently" put the car in the ditch. I called Gerry but he was still in bed and did not answer the phone. It was the first time in my life that Gerry could not come to rescue me. I had to call our neighbor to come up with his tractor and tow me out with the help of another neighbor. I was very disheartened. I confided to a few friends that I was afraid something was very wrong with Gerry and that I was worried that the cancer had come back in his liver.



We went to his family doctor on Monday, Jan. 12. She referred him to the surgeon who performed the major stomach surgery last Feb. Gerry's feeding tube was bothering him and he had pain in another part of his abdomen. I keep thinking it was nothing since he had gotten a clear scan report in December and it was only a month ago. I was HOPING it was gall bladder. Dr. Bannon thought long and hard and told Gerry he needed to be in the hospital, so he was admitted the next day for blood work, ultrasound and another CT scan. The tests comfirmed Dr. Bannon's initial diagnosis, although he didn't tell us at the time. There was now cancer in his liver. The bile duct was blocked and we would have to see Dr. Khan for consultation.



Gerry was now back on the feeding tube since he was very nauseous and had no appetite. He had lost almost 5 lb.



We saw Dr. Khan on Tueday, Jan. 20. He stated that the tumors were not that significant but their location was troublesome. They were right at the duct. If they had been anywhere else, they would still be undetected. Why didn't they show up on the scan a month ago? They were very small and were aggressive. Everything about Gerry has been aggressive. Why should the cancer be different?? The doctor gave Gerry the option of trying chemo. There was a 30% chance that it will shrink the tumors and "buy time". The chemo would not destroy the tumors but give him a longer time on earth.



Gerry started his chemo yesterday. He had several drips and is now wearing a chemo pump for two days. He went to bed last night with two tubes running into him; his feeding tube and his chemo pump. I continue to take care of him and am off work until the end of next week for sure and we will see after that.



Appreciate each little second that you have with your loved ones. You never know how many more you have with them.

Stay tuned.