Marvin's brother has cancer

[willieandwinnie]

  petey, how did your dinner with Walt go yesterday? 

[petey]

Walt and his wife didn't make it to the family dinner last night.  They've gone to Florida to spend the week with her step-mom (she's like 90 some and helped raised Walt's wife after her real mother died).  Most of the rest of the family was at the Saturday Night Dinner though, and we called Walt to make sure they were safe in Florida (they drove!).  They plan to come home next Saturday.

Walt went to see the surgeon at Duke this past Thursday.  Surgery is scheduled for Dec. 8.  The doc said the mass was bordering Walt's intestines, liver, and pancreas.  He thinks he can get it with surgery, but said that radiation and chemo would be a necessity after the surgery.  He said the surgery will take anywhere from 8 - 10 hours!  Walt is really dreading it all, but, in another way, he wants to get it over with.

We still enjoyed the now-every-Saturday-night supper thing.  Marvin really, really loves being around all his family.

[rose1999]

I'm sure we will all be remembering Walt, his wife, you, Marvin and all your lovely family in our prayers. I will send up special ones on 8th (and on 7th and 9th to be on safe side as I never understand this time difference!!). It sounds like a massive operation but Walt seems to have the right attitude. God bless him and all of you. 

[annabanana]

Petey, I love what you said about the need "to spend good minutes" with Walt. To spend good minutes, each and every one, is so important.
My thoughts are with you and your family.

[Sunny]

I wish him the best of luck for his surgery and I will be thinking of him. Hope all goes well and they can get rid of all of the cancer.

[petey]

Tomorrow is the day for Walt's surgery.  When he went for his "pre-op" evaluation, tests, and talk on Thursday, the surgeon told him she would remove: his gallbladder, part of his pancreas, part of his intestines, and part of his stomach.  The surgery should take between 8 -10 hours!  He will have a feeding tube for about three weeks.  He should be able to come home from the hospital in 10-14 days but will need home health care for about six weeks after that.  They will also make plans to start his chemo/radiation after he comes home.

Marvin and I took Walt and his wife out for a sandwich last night.  They're nervous and dreading it all but trying to be mentally prepared for it.  I'm trying to help his wife by giving her suggestions as I have been through similar with Marvin (not the cancer, just the sick husband part).  There are so many little "tricks" I've learned along the way that make a situation like this easier, and I'm sharing with her all I have learned.

I am worried for Walt, and I'm also worried for his wife.  As all caregivers know, this type of experience is also physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting for us, too.  I told Walt's wife that I stand ready to help with wound care (I'm pretty good at that thanks to Marvin) when he gets home.  I can also do about anything else she needs help with (except the feeding tube part -- I have no experience with that -- but I am willing to learn).   Walt said last night that he would be fine -- there are doctors and nurses to take care of him while he's in the hospital and then a home health nurse when he comes home -- but he's worried about who will take care of his wife.  She said that she thought she was pretty tough, and I told her, "Yes, you're just as tough of an old bird as I am.  It won't be easy, but if I can do it for Marvin, you can do it for Walt, too!"  She said, "Yes, I can!"  And, if anybody can handle it, she certainly can.  It will just be all new for her.

If you believe in God, please say a prayer for Walt and his wife tomorrow (surgery starts at 7:30 a.m.).  If you do not, please send good thoughts of healing and strength their way. 

[rose1999]

Petey please know that I am praying, sending good thoughts and positive vibes for healing and strength for Walt and his wife and for the Doctors who will operate, the nurses who will care for him and everyone else involved.  I will also have you, Marvin and all Walt's family in my thoughts as it will be a tough time for you all.  Please let us know how he goes on, I know it will be very, very tough for Walt and his wife in particular but having you at their side will help them along that rough road to recovery.  Tell them the prayers and thoughts of all at IHD are with them as I am sure they will be, this is the best bunch of people I know.  Much love to all of you 

[monrein]

All my best thoughts will be with Walt and his family tomorrow.  One thing for sure Petey, Walt's wife could not ask for a stronger, more positive mentor in the caregiver category than YOU.

[pelagia]

I'll be saying my prayers for all of you Petey.   

[annabanana]

Many prayers and good thoughts for you all.

[kitkatz]

Prayers have been sent for Wally and for you all facing this time with him. 

[willieandwinnie]

petey, saying extra prayers today. Please let us know how things go and your an angel to be there for Walt's wife but I didn't expect anything less from you. 

[G-Ma]

 

[okarol]

  Sending HUGS! 

[thegrammalady]

hugs for everybody  and my prayers too 

[petey]

I just talked to Walt's wife.  The surgeon said the surgery went as well as could be expected.  She removed all she thought she would have to, and Walt did okay.  He's in ICU and should be there for a day or two.  That's all the news I have.  Thanks so much for the thoughts and prayers.

[rose1999]

Thanks for the update Petey, my positive thoughts and prayers will continue for Walt and all of his family.     I hope he heals well and enjoys many more years to come.

[pelagia]

 

[petey]

Walt's wife came home from the hospital late last night, as Walt was in ICU and she couldn't stay in the room with him.  This morning, Marvin and his sister drove Walt's wife back to the hospital (3-hour drive).  Marvin said Walt looked really good.  He had an NG tube, a catheter, heart monitor, a feeding tube and several other tubes, but he was able to get up and walk a little way down the hall.  He has a morphine pump for the pain.  The incision is about 6-8 inches and in the middle of his abdomen.  Walt talked some (in between the pushes on the morphine pump), and Marvin was extremely pleased with how well Walt was doing.  Walt's wife is staying at the hospital for a few days, so Marvin and his sister came back home late this afternoon.  I called Walt's wife a little while ago, and she said he was asleep (again!).

The surgeon told Walt's wife that she removed part of his pancreas (the neck part), his gallbladder, and part of his intestines.  She anticipates that he'll be in the hospital for about 10 days.  We're thinking that things are going as well as could be expected. 

[monrein]

That must be a huge relief to all of you. 

[Chris]

Hope he gets home i time for Christmas.
Glad the surgery went well.

[ODAT]

 

[pelagia]

Dear Marsha, I am really sorry that Walt and his wife, and all of you, have to go through this.  Please send Walt our very best wishes for his health and healing.  I know that you can find strength in your love for each other.  Having a family like that is wonderful - a real blessing.    Linda

[MIbarra]

I hope things go as smoothly as possible for him! Keeping your family in my thoughts.

[G-Ma]