The Surgery Is Over!

Dad is doing fine this evening. He's sleeping which is to be expected after surgery. He went into surgery around 1:00 pm and we we're able to see him around 4:00 pm. We were very pleased with his doctor and the doctor was pleased with the outcome. The doctor went in with "plan A" and came out performing "plan B".

You never really know what you're dealing with until you go in. The original plan was to go in and cut off the blood source to the tumor then inject it with chemo. He explained to us that the liver is like a tree with many branches (blood vessels). The location of the tumor was right in the middle of the two veins that supply the blood to the liver. Imagine the letter "V"...and right in the middle of that letter "V" is the tumor. He felt the blood supply of the tumor was from BOTH veins and those veins cannot be cut. So this is where "plan B" came into effect. He then decided to inject the entire "right" side of the liver with the chemo beads. He wants to take blood tests within the next couple weeks to see how his liver is reacting to the treatment and if Dad is not called in for a transplant between now and then he plans to do this procedure again this time to the "left" side.

The one disappointment the doctor expressed was in the original plan he was to also go in and treat the spleen with chemo in hopes of reducing it's enormous size. Because of the mess surrounding the spleen he could not to that. The spleen is so enlarged because it's eating his platelets which why his platelet count is so low.

The doctors ultimate goal is to SLOW down the growth of this tumor. The blessing is once Dad receives the liver transplant it will remove this tumor and the cancer on it. The exciting news is Dad has passed ALL the required tests to even be eligible/considered for a transplant. It was not until then would he be put on the list. With one more minor dental appointment next week...he will be placed on the list. When that happens...we're told it could be within 30 to 60 days. I will continue to update everyone with new information as it happens.

Thank you for the MANY prayers and encouraging words for Dad. You're all truly a blessing to us! It gives so much hope and confidence in knowing others are thinking and praying for you. God is good and his hand is on Dad. I'm excited to see what God will continue to do in his life!