Welcome to our blog! For the love of Lou (Dad, Gramps, Lavell), I want to keep everyone posted about his progress as he undergoes surgery, and as he recovers. We all love Dad and that love and concern is certainly felt through your prayers, phone calls and visits. I chose to blog instead of Facebook in an effort to keep this more personal (private) and so ask that you do not share this address with anyone other than family and close friends. Please do not post it on Facebook. Comments will be shared with Dad and Mom and I will have them post personally as often as possible.Just to recap the past few weeks, Dad was diagnosed with bladder cancer on May 11, 2010. He had surgery to remove and biopsy the tumor on May 14. Dr. Pratt was unable to remove all of the cancer and it biopsied as high grade and muscle invasive. Further testing showed no detectable cancer in the lungs or kidneys, though there was some restriction at the ureters in the bladder. A second opinion with Dr. Stephenson at Huntsman Cancer Institute in Salt Lake confirmed that the bladder and prostate should be removed. This surgery will include ileal conduit surgery which constructs an alternative path for urine to leave the body and will be performed by Dr. Stephenson at Huntsman Cancer Hospital in Salt Lake on June 14, 2010.
Dad went to his pre-op appointment today. Following a check-up and some blood work, we met with the stoma nurses. They explained the procedure he will undergo and how to take care of the "stoma". They were very kind and did a good job making it all understandable. When they were finished, I think we all felt a little relieved because they made it seem so very 'do-able.'
To put it simply: The surgeon will take the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and connect them to a small section taken from the small intestine. This section is called the ileal conduit. The ileal conduit carries the urine to the outside of the body through the stoma (a very small hole in the abdomen) to a bag that fits tightly around the stoma and hangs comfortably under the patient's clothing. The bag is emptied 3-4 times a day and is changed every few days. Supplies are readily available and are covered by insurance.
The nurses assured Dad that after a few weeks, he will be able to handle things routinely and will be able to do anything except hot tubbing. Though hot tubbing is a passion (ha ha) he took this quite well.
Many of you are asking how Mom and Dad are doing. They are, of course, anxious about it all. They have just taken things a step at a time. I have observed that they are each more concerned about the other than they are about themselves. Mom has expressed that she hates to think about Dad going through all this. She has tried to limit his activities, make sure he takes his meds on time, prepare his favorite meals and let him sleep late without complaining about it.
Dad has expressed his hope that all of this not be too hard on Mom. He is ever the loving husband, opening her door (even when we came home late at night after the first surgery and he was still a bit woozy), carrying her purse and doing his part around the house. I have noticed an extra tenderness expressed between them. We had a family gathering on Memorial Day. Dad enjoyed every minute of it. He was even on the grass wrestling with one of the little boys. He expressed , "Isn't family wonderful!"
I know they think of you all often and pray for you daily. They look forward to your phone calls and are comforted to know that Tim is coming next weekend, Mark in two weeks and Shelly the week after.
Love to you all! - Dayna
To put it simply: The surgeon will take the ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder) and connect them to a small section taken from the small intestine. This section is called the ileal conduit. The ileal conduit carries the urine to the outside of the body through the stoma (a very small hole in the abdomen) to a bag that fits tightly around the stoma and hangs comfortably under the patient's clothing. The bag is emptied 3-4 times a day and is changed every few days. Supplies are readily available and are covered by insurance.
The nurses assured Dad that after a few weeks, he will be able to handle things routinely and will be able to do anything except hot tubbing. Though hot tubbing is a passion (ha ha) he took this quite well.
Many of you are asking how Mom and Dad are doing. They are, of course, anxious about it all. They have just taken things a step at a time. I have observed that they are each more concerned about the other than they are about themselves. Mom has expressed that she hates to think about Dad going through all this. She has tried to limit his activities, make sure he takes his meds on time, prepare his favorite meals and let him sleep late without complaining about it.
Dad has expressed his hope that all of this not be too hard on Mom. He is ever the loving husband, opening her door (even when we came home late at night after the first surgery and he was still a bit woozy), carrying her purse and doing his part around the house. I have noticed an extra tenderness expressed between them. We had a family gathering on Memorial Day. Dad enjoyed every minute of it. He was even on the grass wrestling with one of the little boys. He expressed , "Isn't family wonderful!"
I know they think of you all often and pray for you daily. They look forward to your phone calls and are comforted to know that Tim is coming next weekend, Mark in two weeks and Shelly the week after.
Love to you all! - Dayna
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