Who new that at 9 weeks post op my liver would be fully regenerated? I had my scans done on Monday and saw my surgeon on Wednesday. I was able to take a look at my CT scan and I could see a healthy full sized liver!! Hopefully it knows to stop growing... I was also able to see the shadow on my pancreas where my tumor is. It's not very obvious, but because my surgeon saw the actual tumor, he could identify it on the scan. It appears to be about 2 cm in diameter and doesn't appear to have grown or changed since it was identified on August 28th. All of this is really good news, especially because I haven't had any treatment for the past 3 months.
I am now gearing up for surgery in 2 and a half weeks (Nov 20th). I will probably be in the hospital for 6 to 10 days following surgery. The surgery will be a Whipple procedure where they will take out the head of my pancreas (where the tumor is), part of my small intestines and part of the common bile duct. Normally the gall bladder is also removed during this procedure, but mine was already taken out in my first surgery. It's a pretty complex operation, and is expected to take around 6 hours. I won't be able to eat for several days following surgery and then it will be a slow process weening me back onto food because of the involvement of my digestive tract. Recovery after this surgery will be longer and a little tougher than after my liver surgery. I should be able to get up and walk a little the day following surgery even with all of my lines and drains.
I guess I'm ready to go ahead and get this over with, though I can't really say that I'm excited about it...
Love,
Erica
Friday, November 2, 2007
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Team Erica to Run/Walk with Melanoma International Foundation
A smaller Team Erica will head to Villanova, PA for Melanoma International Foundation's (MIF) Safe in the Sun Walk & 5K Run on April 5, 2009.
MIF will also honor Erica by rewarding the top female finisher with an award in Erica's name. Team Erica will be on hand to congratulate the winner.
Anyone is welcome to join Team Erica. For more information, visit: http://melanomaintl.org/.
Team Erica
MIF will also honor Erica by rewarding the top female finisher with an award in Erica's name. Team Erica will be on hand to congratulate the winner.
Anyone is welcome to join Team Erica. For more information, visit: http://melanomaintl.org/.
Team Erica
Congratulations Team Run for Erica!
Team Run for Erica completed the Baltimore Relay Marathon on Saturday, October 11th. The team raised over $1000 for both melanoma organizations (Melanoma International Foundation and Melanoma Research Foundation).
Thank you Team Run for Erica on an awesome race and thank you to those who donated. Below are a few pictures of the team in action!
Thank you Team Run for Erica on an awesome race and thank you to those who donated. Below are a few pictures of the team in action!
Team Erica to run Baltimore Relay Marathon, October 11th
In Memory of Erica....
Baltimore Relay Marathon
Saturday, October 11, 2008, 8:00 AM
http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/
Team Erica relay runners: Christian, Chandra, Jason, Kelly, Jim, Liz, Tony, Mary, Jason, Jenny, Jaime, Omar, and Star are training together Sunday mornings.
What can you do?
Support the team members with lots of encouragement
Make a pledge to a runner or the whole team (donations will be sent to the Melanoma International Foundation)
Go to Baltimore on October 11 to cheer the team on.
Watch the blog for more information to come!!
Baltimore Relay Marathon
Saturday, October 11, 2008, 8:00 AM
http://www.thebaltimoremarathon.com/
Team Erica relay runners: Christian, Chandra, Jason, Kelly, Jim, Liz, Tony, Mary, Jason, Jenny, Jaime, Omar, and Star are training together Sunday mornings.
What can you do?
Support the team members with lots of encouragement
Make a pledge to a runner or the whole team (donations will be sent to the Melanoma International Foundation)
Go to Baltimore on October 11 to cheer the team on.
Watch the blog for more information to come!!
3 comments:
hey ms. erica,
wow, what awesome news! yay!!
continued good thoughts to you, you're amazing!
love, nei and RC
Hi Erica,
Thanks for the update! And for the details about your surgery. I'm sure that the post-surgery recovery is nothing to be excited about, but I pray that you will be cancer free after this! You're so strong, we're all here for you!
love,
Karen
Your liver rocks! We're all thinking of you as you gear up for the next surgery.
Love,
Mary
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