After he had septic shock in January and was so sick, there was an ongoing discussion about a spot on his liver. I believe that I have written about this before. One doctor thought it was an abscess and one doctor thought it was a tumor. The radiologist didn't want to do anything to look at the spot until further tests were done. So, it was agreed that we would do monthly CAT scans to follow up. The first month there was a decrease in the size of the spot. We were thrilled. This indicated that it most likely was an infection and the antibiotics were working. Each month after that, the spot remained unchanged. So after the 4th CAT scan, the two doctors decided that a biopsy was the best way to finally "see" exactly what this was. So, last Friday (just one week ago) Ken had a biopsy of this area. After the biopsy was done, he had significant bleeding from his liver. So they had to do an Hepatic angiogram and embolisze the bleeding areas of the liver. Because he had lost so much blood he needed 5 units of blood and spent a night in the hospital. We had several days of waiting for the results of the biopsy. When we finally received the news, sadly, it is liver cancer.
The good news is that it is a very slow growing cancer and since January, Ken had been CAT scanned and MRI'd from head to toe and they have not found any other site of cancer. We see the Oncologist on Tuesday and should have a better idea of how things are going to proceed after our visit with her.
We were just adjusting to the news of the cancer, when Ken began to run a high fever and had a wicked cough. Now being that this is 2020, we feared he might have COVID (since he had just been in the hospital). But thankfully it was not COVID (two negative tests in one week) but rather he had aspirated during the biopsy/angio procedures and gotten pneumonia. So a few days of IV antibiotics and some further testing to make sure that was all that was going on, and here we are! So thankful to be home today.
Our first big THANKFULNESS of these events, is that the hospital policy changed the day of Ken's procedure last week and 2 visitors are allowed for each inpatient! This is the first that any visitors have been allowed in the hospital since March. This would have been so much harder if I could not be with him.
There were two interesting items that were viewed out the window of his room. The first is this statue which is in a closed courtyard area. All I could think about when I looked at this was "They are not social distancing"! It's amazing how quickly we get used to not being close to or touching others. It was also interesting for me to wear a mask all day since it was required of all visitors. Something I never thought I would be doing for sure.
The second thing were these windows on the opposite side of the hospital. The window in the top center of the picture is the room that Ken spent three weeks in Intensive Care in January/February. That entire floor has become the COVID unit, along with the floor below. The windows are open because there are negative pressure fans that are blowing all the air out of the rooms. According to one worker, the units are very large and very loud in each room.
Seeing these signs of the effect of COVID on an area that we were just in, was very sobering. We are so thankful that Ken's illness happened before COVID was on the scene. Gwen, Doug and I can't imagine what it would have been like to not be present during that time. It certainly made our time spent "sheltered in place" at home seem more necessary. The good news is, this hospital has a very small number of COVID patients right now and many available beds. This is why our area is able to move into phase 4 as of today. Again THANKFUL!
So, sitting here at home, recounting the last week, I can't imagine what is ahead. I know that today has enough worry of its own and I don't need to worry about tomorrow. Lately, I have had to remind myself of this often. We sure were not expecting a cancer diagnosis, but when is it ever an expected diagnosis. We are so thankful for the team of Doctors that have been with us for years, that know Ken very well and don't have to page through mountains of documents to figure out what is going on. These very talented (and I am sure, tired) doctors have made it a point to keep us fully informed. We could not ask for better care.
So we will walk into next week, knowing that Ken is at the best place he can be right now. And most of all, we know that Jesus is with us, surrounding us and keeping us during this time. Until the appointment we will celebrate that restaurants are beginning to open near us and we might be able to have a nice breakfast INSIDE in a few days. We will enjoy Morton Arboretum which has been opened to timed entry for the last few weeks. A drive through the quiet tree lined paths is just what the doctor ordered. And we just might watch a few good old comedy movies. For today, we are just thankful!
Jesus, thank you for your real presence with us during all of 2020. You were not taken by surprise when COVID came around. Thank you for the doctors, nurses and all of the hospital workers who have served our communities under really trying circumstances. Holy Spirit, keep us all mindful that God numbers our days and no one knows what lies ahead. Thank you Jesus, for your protection for our family and friends. Amen
